Finance committee backs Lexipol contract for fire policies and training at $22,849.20

The finance committee recommended approval of a $22,849.20 contract with Lexipol to develop a standardized fire policy manual and provide daily training bulletins for the fire department, the committee heard at its meeting.

Committee members said the contract would give firefighters industry-standard, state-specific policies and regular, software-delivered training. The recommendation now goes to the full city council for final approval.

Fire Chief told the committee the department has doubled its career personnel and “I feel this is a good time to bring on, departmental policy.” He said Lexipol’s materials “are based on Illinois law and they are based on case law and past practices,” and that the program will be customized for the local fire department. The chief said implementing the system will take “6 to 12 months” and that the program includes more than 178 different daily training topics.

Alderman Thompson said the system’s training features were an important risk-management tool: “Training is the easiest way to keep us from getting somebody hurt or simply liable?” Alderman Dimas said he supported the chief’s recommendation: “So, I'm following the chief's recommendation that we do this.”

Committee discussion included several implementation and cost clarifications. The chief and other speakers said the $22,849.20 figure includes a one-time implementation fee (described in the meeting as $17,000) and an annual maintenance/licensing component for ongoing access and daily training bulletins. The chief said the product is software-based and can be accessed on phones or desktops; an administrator (the chief) can track completion of online training by members. The chief also said neighboring agencies using the product include the Ottawa Fire Department, Utica Fire Department, LaSalle County Sheriff's Department and Spring Valley Police Department.

Finance Director John Duncan was cited in the meeting as having appropriated funds for the purchase through the department's appropriations. Committee members said adding the police department to the contract was not part of this recommendation; the committee noted a roughly 10% discount would be available for broader enrollment but that the current recommendation covers only the fire department.

A motion to recommend the contract passed on a roll call vote: moved by Alderman Thompson and seconded by Alderman Dimas. The roll call recorded aye votes from Aldermen Dimas, Thompson, Patak, Reynolds, LaVieri and Herndon; Alderman Crane was recorded as excused. The committee recorded the motion as carried and asked the matter be forwarded to the full council for final action.