By Steven Stilt
During its meeting Monday night, the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approved the purchase of a 9-1-1 Reality PLUS training station simulator.
The equipment will allow users to work through the same types of scenarios that a 9-1-1 telecommunicator would face.
According to college officials, discussions with regional employers have revealed that there is a shortage of public safety telecommunicators in the KC district.
College President George Evans notes that the simulator will not be used for credit coursework, but can be taken from place to place and will be available to those seeking dispatch training.
“For those that are pursuing a career in dispatch, it allows us to offer it through the community education side, which is not for credit. So there could be a population of eight or 10 individuals who would like to enroll in this, and it’s taught by a community ed instructor — probably, more than likely, a dispatcher from one of the areas, where it’s not a specific degree track, a certificate or degree. It’s more of a community business and industry-type class, so anybody can enroll in this and take these types of courses once it’s up and running, so you can get a feel for the dispatch world.”
The simulator is being purchased from Professional Pride Inc. at a cost of just over $64,000, which will be funded by an Illinois Community College Board grant.
Also on Monday, the KC Board approved the hiring of Garland Simmons as a campus police officer. The hiring will bring the total number of campus officers to three, leaving KC one officer short of its authorized number.
Trustees also approved the employment of Tara Peters as controller and Gregory Schwartz as maintenance specialist, and accepted the retirement of Donald Bade as assistant director of public safety.
The board also approved the purchase of security cameras for the new on-campus gymnasium which is currently under construction. The purchase and installation of the cameras, from Senergy Enterprise Technologies, carry a total cost of $64,433.
