Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Later this spring, both the Barrington and Lake Zurich fire departments will start using the Phoenix G2 Fire Station Alerting System, which can save firefighters up to 60 seconds when they are responding to emergencies. The system assists dispatchers, who will be able to type pertinent information during 911 calls straight into a computer-aided system.  The system then automatically alerts the appropriate fire stations, saving time since dispatchers will no longer have to stop their conversations with 911 callers to dispatch firefighters.

The system has lights and speakers in every station which alert firefighters while scrolling message boards provide them with addresses and how much time has elapsed since an alert was made.

Barrington officials approved $54,300 for the system, while Lake Zurich officials approved $56,500 for the new equipment.

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