Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Naperville officials want to team up with Aurora on consolidating 911 services, a cost-saving move that would create one group of dispatchers managing emergency calls for both towns, Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said this week. The idea is Naperville’s latest move to consolidate services with neighboring municipalities to save taxpayer money.
“Many of you know that Naperville and Aurora back up each other’s 911 service already, and we share a radio system, … our cities also provide mutual aid when emergencies occur.”
Aurora has not yet formally responded to Naperville’s proposal, but officials say they are open to exploring ways to work together.
“We have voluntarily cooperated over the years,” said Carie Anne Ergo, Aurora’s chief management officer. “To the tune of, really, millions of dollars (saved).”
Naperville is proposing a partnership with the neighboring towns of Warrenville and Lisle to create fire protection without boundaries. Under this concept, emergency situations requiring fire or ambulance service could be handled by whichever department has the closest units available, regardless of whether the call comes from inside or outside the caller’s town.
Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis said Tuesday his staff is talking to officials in both towns to see how they might be able to help each other. For example, Warrenville does not have an aerial. Instead of buying one, Naperville could provide one of theirs when it’s needed in Warrenville.
… “if a Lisle vehicle is closer to a Naperville call, it goes,” Puknaitis said. “It’s just working smarter and not worrying about territories.”
