Oswego to Consider a Reverse 911 System

Want to know about downed power lines or the start of road construction in Oswego? How about hydrant flushing or notice of an upcoming parade?

Very soon you might be able to.

The Village of Oswego is considering entering an agreement with KenCom, a public safety dispatch serving the area of Kendall County, to be a part of a reverse 911 system.

Previously KenCom used Red Alert, explained Police Chief Dwight Baird, but it was discontinued and Baird said it was very limited with what it could be used for. “This would really reach out to the community and be a tool we could use,” he added.

The contract would be through Everbridge Aware and Smart GIS and each area of KenCom would be charged based on the number of CAD tickets issued to each area.

The Village of Oswego would pay $7,328.05 a year in a three-year contract for the unlimited plan, which is what village staff and KenCom have recommended.  Oswego is the second-highest contributor, only behind the Kendall County Sheriff’s office at $8,477.20. Oswego Fire would also pay an additional $1,982.34.

“It doesn’t seem like a bad cost, but it does seem like we’re getting dinged over and over again,” said trustee Scott Volpe.

Trustee Gail Johnson, who serves on the KenCom board, said that in order for this to go through all the municipalities would have to agree to it. “If they don’t all sign up for it, we won’t be doing it.”

The same would be for if one group opted to drop out following a year into the contract if they were dissatisfied. Johnson said she would get more information on that, as there would be a lot of work to get people signed up only for the service to disappear after a year.

The village would link people’s landlines to the system, much like how Oswego School District 308 links to home phones for its students, and would also invite residents to sign up for alerts on their mobile devices.

The village had pursued the idea of adding on to 308’s service, but Baird said the price would have been much higher – almost double – and Johnson added that the school did not want the Village to tie on to them.

“In this day and age not having a reverse 911 is irresponsible,” said Johnson. “We have to have a way to get a hold of people.”