E-COM 911 DISPATCH CENTER CHAPTER 720

E - Co m 9 11 Di sp a t c h C en t er C h a p t er 72 0

Chapter 720 is an E-Com 911 Dispatch Center located in the southern suburbs of Chicago – a challenging location for anyone in 911 communications. Brian Tobin, Chapter 720’s president, is well aware of necessary improvements needed for his call center, relaying an experience that is all too familiar in a post-Covid world.

“I have been a member with MAP for at least eight years,” says Tobin. “We were originally with another local union but eight or ten years ago we joined MAP.” Tobin’s team is now comfortable with their much-needed support system. “With our other union we were lucky we could reach anybody and then even if we could reach them, they would argue with the legitimacy of our complaints and it didn’t seem like they were on our side much,” says Tobin. “We dumped them, got with MAP and our dues got cut in half. I have full access to a business agent and a MAP attorney, and we have three or four arbitrations we haven’t lost. My team couldn’t be happier.”

The dispatch center is accountable for a great number of duties and responsibilities. “Aside from answering 911 calls for police, fire and medical, we answer nonemergency calls,” says Tobin. “We do clerical work, records work, office-type data entry, and we watch the weather and police bulletins.” Other than over the phone, the dispatchers have no contact with the public during business hours.

Tobin does note that the center is extremely shorthanded, despite their benefits and pay, and their daily work can be tremendously challenging. “The most notable thing aside from the rise in crime, is how shorthanded we are and about everyone I know is working sixty hours a week,” says Tobin. “We’re in the south suburbs of Chicago and we have a lot of shootings and gunshot victims. It’s busy. At a time when we need more people, they’re cutting our staff. We need more people to lessen the burden on each telecommunicator. We’re basically on the phone or the radio all day. It’s hard to keep people.”

Still, Tobin is hoping the circumstances will soon change for the dispatch center, they just need strong folks willing to work hard and assist their community members.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY If you are involved in a critical incident or need to contact MAP for any emergency, call 630-905-0663.

FOR A R A BET BETTER TER WO WORLD RLD

DIVERSIFY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

AND SKILLS WITH A GRADUATE DEGREE FROM LEWIS UNIVERSITY

With a longstanding tradition of educating future leaders for justice andWith a longstanding tradition of educating future leaders for justice and public safety, and many alumni holding prominent positions in law enforcement, we knowpublic safety, and many alumni holding prominent positions in law enforcement, we know the best path to career success is by building your skills in communication, conflict resolution and problem solving while having the integrity and confidence to do the right thing.

Law enforcement is a tough job that’s getting tougher. Learn to care for yourself, maintain your own mental and physical health and build resilience through a graduate program where you will connect with colleagues and share ideas on how we can all work together for a better world.

New! First Responders receive a

20% tuition discount and tuition is deferred for 6 weeks after the end of each class

NAMED THE #1 BEST FOR VETS PRIVATE SCHOOL IN ILLINOIS

Lewis University is proud to be a partner in the the Yellow RibbonYellow Ribbon GI GI Education EnhancementEducation Enhancement Program which allowsProgram which allows qualifiedqualified post-9/11 veteranspost-9/11 veterans to enroll in more than 100 approved education programs at Lewis University.

POPULAR GRADUATE PROGRAMS

• Criminal Justice

Concentrations • Criminal Justice • Security Studies

• Public Safety

Administration • Cybersecurity • MBA

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling

(Addiction Studies Certificate)

• Educational

Leadership (Ed.D.)

• Organizational Leadership

Explore all of our graduate programs lewisu.edu/graduate

WHY MORE GRADUATE STUDENTS CHOOSE LEWIS

• Online, face-to-face and blended classes with multiple start times available • Small, interactive classes so you can grow with your peers led by dedicated faculty who are experts in their field with real-world experience • Employer tuition discount and deferral plans make Lewis one of the most affordable private universities in the Chicago area

Apply today at lewisu.edu/apply

Scan the code to make an appointment to speak with our program counselor.

One University Parkway Romeoville, IL 60446

(815) 836-5610

grad@lewisu.edu

lewisu.edu/jlpss