Hinsdale to continue using DuComm for fire dispatch; board reviews interoperable radio upgrade

The board reviewed an intergovernmental agreement with DuComm and the DuPage County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) to continue the village’s participation in the countywide interoperable public-safety radio and dispatch system.

Staff said Hinsdale originally entered an agreement with ETSB in 2011 and that DuComm provides fire and police dispatch services for the village. Under the updated approach, ETSB is replacing older radios with newer technology that includes GPS and encryption. The presenter said ETSB will continue to support airtime and GPS-capable radios for positions assigned to respond immediately to initial 911 calls; packet figures shown during the discussion estimated the value of radios ETSB will provide at approximately $179,000.

Staff noted the fire department maintains seven additional radios — used by the fire prevention bureau, a captain and other managers — that do not meet ETSB’s criteria for support. The presenter said the additional radios and their associated service costs were not included in the village’s 2025 budget. The transcript includes a numeric transcription that appears garbled for the one-time cost of the additional radios; the annual service cost for those units was presented as approximately $2,856 per year.

Village President Greg Hart, who said he spent his career in public-safety technology, encouraged continued participation in Next Gen 911 and said improvements in location-based services, enhanced call routing and eventual text-to-911 capabilities are important for situational awareness and first-responder safety.

Trustees did not take a final vote on a contract award during this discussion; staff presented the agreement and cost implications for further consideration.