New Jersey Upgrades 911 Technology

New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey outlined the critical need of updating the state's 911 emergency response system recently at the State Police Operational Dispatch Center in Totowa. Improvements to the outdated system would be funded through the cell tower assessment proposed by the governor in his budget address.

"911 was designed as a means of getting rapid response during emergency situations," said McGreevey. "With the current system in place, those who dial 911 from cell phones in remote areas throughout the state may not get the immediate attention needed in an emergency. The improved technology, funded through a cell tower assessment, will enable 911 dispatchers to locate a call made from a cell phone within 50 meters."

The governor was joined by Albert J. Kernagis, state police deputy superintendent of operations, members of the New Jersey State Police and Jason Learn, a survivor of a 911 call who spent hours talking to a 911 dispatcher so rescue teams could locate him and his friends.

"The importance of efficient, reliable communications cannot be emphasized enough," said Kernagis. "The safety of our citizens, as well as police and fire personnel, relies on our ability to accurately locate any emergency and respond quickly."

Scheduled to begin in late March, the upgrades will be the first of many steps necessary in deploying the technology necessary to locate 911 calls placed from cell phones. The network upgrade is expected to be completed this fall, at which time each of the six nationwide wireless carriers will begin to connect their location equipment to the statewide 911 networks.