(WGTD) - A state grant announced this week will fund the replacement of outmoded equipment in the Kenosha Joint Services 911 dispatch center, local officials said today.
The $152,034 award from the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs will cover 90 percent of the cost of replacing the console furniture at the dispatchers’ workstations, said Joint Services Director Joshua Nielsen.
Nielsen said the current furniture is 14 years old and in need of repairs, and that replacement parts for the electronic components within the desks are no longer manufactured.
“With this grant, we will be able to replace all of the console furniture all at once, rather than in a piecemeal fashion,” Nielsen said. “This will ensure that the dispatchers’ equipment will continue running at 100 percent capability without any interruptions.”
A small share of the grant, roughly $1,300, will go toward reimbursing the local cost of advanced training for dispatchers, Nielsen said.
With this award, Joint Services has received nearly $700,000 from the Department of Military Affairs’ Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Grant Program over the last four years.
The largest award came in 2023, when Joint Services received $450,000 to support an ongoing upgrade to the Next Generation 911 system, which provides for faster call delivery and more accurate location information.
Nielsen said this new equipment has now been installed and that work is continuing on the dispatch center’s conversion from traditional copper phone lines to the state’s 911 IP infrastructure. This work will likely be completed in early 2025, Nielsen said.
The PSAP grant program is funded by a 75-cent 911 fee that is levied on consumers’ cellphone bills. County Executive Samantha Kerkman said she is pleased to see these funds returning to the community for projects that enhance public safety in Kenosha County.
“It’s wonderful to be able to make these important upgrades at minimal cost to local taxpayers,” Kerkman said. “I commend the Joint Services team for its diligence in seeking these funds, as well as our local state legislators who continue to advocate strongly on Kenosha County’s behalf.”
Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, said he is proud of Kenosha’s tradition of state and local governments working together on projects for the community.
“The Joint Services staff was using outdated equipment, and through our teamwork, we were able to secure funding for the necessary upgrades,” Wirch said. “Supporting workers to have the equipment they need to do their job benefits our entire community.”
“Equipment upgrades are necessary to attract and retain top-tier dispatchers in an increasingly competitive workplace environment,” said Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie. This highly stressful role is critical on the first line of response in an emergency, and we are committed to prioritizing safety, as evidenced by our support for this investment.”
Nedweski and Wirch signed onto a letter of support for this year’s grant award along with Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, and Reps. Tip McGuire and Tod Ohnstad, both D-Kenosha.
Kenosha Joint Services is an independent agency that provides 911 dispatch, law enforcement records management, fleet maintenance and evidence services for the city and county. It is also the public service answering point for fire and rescue departments across the county.
“State-of-the-art consoles for 911 dispatchers are crucial for efficient and effective emergency responses,” said John W. Morrissey, City Administrator and Vice Chairman of the Kenosha Joint Services Board of Directors. “The new consoles will assist in enhancing dispatcher wellness with the ergonomic design for reduction of stress and fatigue.”
Morrissey added: “We appreciate the support of the county and state officials in support of this grant.”
County Board Chairman Monica M. Yuhas, also chairman of the Kenosha Joint Services Board of Directors, also expressed appreciation for the grant award.
“This funding reflects the state’s commitment to enhancing local emergency response capabilities while also emphasizing the importance of modern, dependable resources for our Joint Services telecommunicators,” Yuhas said. “I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the successful preparation and submission of the PSAP grant, which made this critical financial support possible.”
More information about Kenosha Joint Services is available at http://www.kenoshajs.org.