The Fire Department is continuing the process of upgrading its fire stations alerting system.  The project was started in 2016 and completed in stages with Station 4 being the final remaining fire station requiring dorm remotes for each of the bunk room areas.

The upgrade will rapidly provide dispatch information to crews utilizing automatic lighting and audible alerts to each bunk area.  The dorm remotes installed in each bunk area will allow the firefighter to set appropriate audible levels. Additionally, only bunks based on the unit a firefighter is assigned to for the day will be notified. This provides a healthier environment for crews to be rested when responding, and woken for calls in a safe and more efficient manner.

Northwest Central Dispatch System (NWCDS) uses the US Digital Designs’ Phoenix G2 alerting network to dispatch information to our stations.  US Digital Designs, a NWCDS expense, has installed the control stations in all four stations which represents the largest portion of the costs for the system.  US Digital Designs is a sole source provider due to the need to have equipment compatible with these existing control stations.

We are also recommending the installation be performed by US Digital due to their expertise and integration of the current alerting equipment.

The Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Fund is also providing funding for this equipment and installation.

Funding for these improvements is available in the following Accounts:

Capital Projects Fund Account No. 401-3501-572.50-15 EQ9502 in the amount of $25,000.00

Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Fund Account No. 227-3701-512.50-15 in the amount of $4,875.56

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board waive formal bidding procedures and approve the purchase and installation of upgrades to the Station 4 alerting system from US Digital Designs for a total cost of $29,875.56.

US Digital Designs has been a responsible vendor to the Village in the past.