TINLEY PARK, IL – A mobile command vehicle will be added to the Tinley Park police department’s fleet within the next two weeks, according to the Daily SouthTown. Tinley Park Police Chief Michael O’Connell said the vehicle is one of three purchased with homeland security grant funds secured by Cook County and allocated through the Cook County Urban Area Security Initiative.

O'Connell represents police chiefs in south and southwest portions of the county as part of the initiative. The other two vehicles will be housed in other areas of Cook County. The security group asked for the vehicles after deciding they would necessary in case of an emergency such as a terrorist incident, natural disaster, or other catastrophic event.

The vehicle is 32 feet long and 8 feet wide and will be equipped with various electronic equipment, including telephones, computers, and radios. Internet access will be available in the future.

Tinley Park will share the mobile command unit with other police departments in the county. Areas as far north as Alsip, as far west as Lemont, as far east as Calumet City and as far south as University Park will have access to the unit.

For about three years, the village only will have to pay for regular maintenance, such as oil changes. After that, homeland security funds should handle most equipment upgrades, the Daily SouthTown report said.

O’Connell also plans to setup a “fair share fund” for all of the suburbs that have access to the vehicle to set money aside for maintenance and upgrades. Representatives from every community with access to the vehicle will be trained to use it in the coming weeks.

The mobile command unit is expected to be in use by the end of March.