Northwest Central Dispatch System

Northwest Central Dispatch October 27, 2021

NWCDS 9-1-1 Dispatch Has Gone Silent Over the Air with Encryption Activated for Fire Dispatch and Communications

Wed Oct 15, 2025 02:16 pm Cardinal News

Around 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Northwest Central Dispatch System (NWCDS) has apparently switched to encryption as no dispatched calls have been announced on the unencrypted talk groups since around 8:00 a.m. There was […]

Arlington Heights Police Chief Nicholas Pecora and Arlington Heights Fire Chief Lance Harris attending a Village Board meeting for a Chicago Bears topic on Monday, December 9, 2025 (CARDINAL NEWS)

The Stark Lack in NWCDS Area Fire Info Available for Public and Media Compared to Seattle Fire Department Resources

Sat Oct 11, 2025 02:48 pm Cardinal News

The openness and responsibility of village managers, city managers, police chiefs, fire chiefs and the Northwest Central Dispatch System (NWCDS) Board pales considerably regarding their decision-making and their public disclosure actions compared to the actions […]

Disclaimer: Limited Access to Fire, EMS, Public Safety Information Will Constrain Safe, Effective Public Awareness

Wed Oct 1, 2025 07:02 pm Cardinal News

DISCLAIMER: Due to the impending encryption of fire and EMS radio communications by Northwest Central Dispatch System (NWCDS), CARDINAL NEWS may no longer be able to reliably and thoroughly provide public safety information to our […]

Apple iPhone: Settings: Notifications: Government Alerts (bottom): Emergency Alerts.

National FEMA, FCC Emergency Alert Test Set Oct. 4, 2023 for Cellphones, Broadcast Media — Day After Routine Monthly Test

Mon Sep 25, 2023 01:28 pm Cardinal News

Who Would Ever Think Emergency Alert Notification Would Be So Complex? CTIA (Cellular Telephone Industries Association) describes three different types of WEAs (Child Abduction, Imminent Threat Alert, National Alert), but FEMA describes five types (Presidential […]

Barrington Switching 9-1-1 to Northwest Central Dispatch from Cencom Dispatch

Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:59 pm Cardinal News

Police and fire dispatch and 9-1-1 call management for the Village of Barrington is scheduled to make a switch from CenCom Dispatch located in Round Lake Beach to Northwest Central Dispatch System (NWCDS) in Arlington […]

Northwest Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Plans Court Complaint for Temporary Restraining Order to Get Coronavirus Patient Information from Cook County Dept. of Public Health

Fri Apr 24, 2020 09:00 am Cardinal News

Northwest Central Dispatch System (NWCDS), the multi-community fire and police 9-1-1 center based in Arlington Heights, may proceed with plans to file suit in Cook County Court Friday, April 24, 2020 to attempt to get […]

Why Your Apps Can Find You, But 911 Can’t Until They Get Help from Apps

Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:36 pm Cardinal News

Smartphone apps can usually find users quickly and effortlessly, but 911 is often less accurate at finding callers from their cell phones. WSJ’s Spencer Macnaughton explains the limitations of current call centers, and how tech […]

Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA) “5 Phases Award” Presented to JEMS Coordinator

Mon May 14, 2018 12:18 pm Cardinal News

On Friday, April 27, 2018 Mick Fleming, the Joint Emergency Management Coordinator for the Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System (JEMS) was presented with the 2018 “5 Phases Award” by the Illinois Emergency Services Management […]

Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District Switches to Northwest Central Dispatch 911

Thu Mar 16, 2017 02:04 pm Cardinal News

The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District’s 9-1-1 and dispatch outsourcing has switched to Northwest Central Dispatch System located in Arlington Heights beginning the month of March 2017. Barrington Countryside left CenCom 9-1-1, a suburban consolidated […]

Sporadic Power Outages: Line “Pop” and Tree Fire at Park St and Forrest Ave; 9-1-1 Center on Backup Power, Arlington Heights

Fri Nov 27, 2015 08:33 am Cardinal News

Arlington Heights firefighter/paramedics responded about 7:03 AM Friday to a report of a power line problem and a tree fire Park Street and Forrest Avenue Arlington Heights, IL. Police and firefighter/paramedics received a report that […]

Dispatchers, Firefighters Honor Retiring Dispatcher with Radio Tribute at Northwest Central Dispatch System

Thu Jul 2, 2015 02:21 pm Cardinal News

AUDIO: Northwest Central Dispatch System 9-1-1 Center retirement announcement and firefighters’ replies Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Dispatchers and firefighters honored Jeannie Bolash when she retired after 35 years of service Tuesday June 30, 2015. Her […]

The #1 Reason Police Should Turn Off Their Military Grade Secret Police Radio Encryption Switch: The EF-4 Tornado

Mon Apr 13, 2015 09:11 am Cardinal News

VIDEO: The EF-4 tornado that struck Ashton, Rochelle and Fairdale as it forms near Ashton, Illinois. The EF-4 tornado last week on April 9, 2015 caused destruction for 29 miles with a path that was […]

Seven 911 Dispatchers Transported To Area Hospitals from Northwest Central Dispatch System After Spark, Extinguishing Agent Discharged, Arlington Heights

Sat Oct 4, 2014 08:15 pm Cardinal News

VIDEO: Three rescue ambulances transported six or seven personnel from the Northwest Central Dispatch System 9-1-1 Center Saturday afternoon. Arlington Heights police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 3:19 PM Saturday to an activated fire or smoke […]

Northwest Central Dispatch System Begins 911 Texting Capability; Voice Still Preferred

Mon Aug 18, 2014 07:45 pm Cardinal News

Beginning today, August 18, 2014, wireless phone subscribers of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, who are residents or visitors living, working or traveling in the Northwest Central Dispatch System service area may be able to […]

Dad Saved; “First Save” Involving PulsePoint CPR SmartPhone App in Portland Area

Thu May 29, 2014 01:28 pm Cardinal News

Scott Brawner, an off-duty Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue firefighter/paramedic, was able to help save the life of Drew Basse on May 9, 2014, because of a smartphone app known as PulsePoint, which allows 9-1-1 […]

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