Communications Division

Seconds-Saves-Lives

In 2002 Sheriff Templeton and his staff took on the arduous task of remodeling the old communications center along with upgrading the antiquated radio system that was currently being used, which had been in place since 1975. This was Phase II of the new jail construction project. The old communications center was short on space and behind on technology. The remodel would give the telecommunicators more room and allow them to use the latest technologies available for dispatching Police, Fire, and Emergency Services. The old system was very labor intensive and utilized several different brands of outdated radio equipment that didn't work very well, most of the time. It had outlived its usefulness. Officer and Public Safety; had become a serious concern.

The Sheriff's Office in partnership with Motorola has put together a new communications system that allows the telecommunicators to use the newest computer-based technologies for dispatching Police, Fire, and Emergency Services allowing for more efficient communications between the telecommunicators and emergency services personnel. The new Communications Center went on line April of 2004.

The Communications Division of La Salle County Sheriff's Office is the heart of the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff's Office. The Communications Division is responsible for the constant flow of information into and out of the Sheriff's Office and must also be able to render assistance in any type of situation. These duties have become much easier since operations began in the new Communications Center in April of 2004.

The Communications Division is currently staffed by 12 full-time Telecommunicators. The Telecommunicator's primary duty is to ensure officer and public safety by providing rapid and accurate information and responses to emergency situations. Other duties include data entry in local, statewide, and nationwide computer networks, dispatching complaints and calls for service for police, fire, and emergency medical services, and becoming familiar with the county addressing system, landmarks, and geographical features of La Salle County.

2022

Since the new 911 Communications Center went online, we have added additional computer-aided solutions to aid the Telecommunicators to help make their duties more efficient. We are in the process of working with additional vendors currently, to move us into the future of 911. NG91-1 (Next Generation 911) is the future of 911 that will give 911 agencies throughout the State of Illinois and eventually 911 agencies nationwide the capability of sharing 911 call information that is tied to the Emergency Service Network (ESInet).

In the interest of Officer Safety and Public Safety for all residents of LaSalle County; we will continue to move forward with new solutions that will enhance our Telecommunicator's ability to take, interpret and dispatch Emergency 911 calls as well as Non-Emergency calls.

Curtis A. Yasm
911 Communications Director
La Salle County Sheriff's Office, Communications Division