Local Reaction to Fed Money for Wireless Fire, Police Network

Yesterday, Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez announced that New Jersey will receive $39,638,152 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to help create an interoperable wireless public safety broadband network to improve how first responders in New Jersey communicate during a police, fire or other emergency situation. 

This new network would be for use by public safety entities in New Jersey's Urban Area Security Initiative region, which includes Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Union and Passaic counties.

How will this impact Maplewood? Patch went looking for local explanation and comments.

Maplewood Fire Captain Joseph Callaghan explained what the improvements could mean in day-to-day terms: "Upgraded communications has been a concern of ours for some time. Many local departments operate on different frequencies and it is a problem during mutual aid incidents."

Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino noted that new broadband technologies are an enhancement over basic radio communications because broadband supports not only voice communications but also data and video.

"Technologically advanced interoperable communications capability is a crucial element to the ability of Police, Fire and EMS to provide the most effective assistance in both local and large-scale emergencies," said Cimino.

"As these enhanced systems are installed in more jurisdictions," he added, "not only will large-scale regional emergency operations be improved but the superior features of these systems can improve local Police, Fire and EMS operations as well."

Maplewood Fire Chief Joseph Richardella concurred with Cimino's statement, but cautioned, "It will enhance communications if set up properly and cost effectively."

The funding, which will be provided by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration  (NTIA) within the Department of Commerce, is expected to improve emergency coordination between 51 public safety agencies and more than 30,000 public safety users.

The Senators' offices explained in a joint press release that development of the interoperable broadband network in New Jersey and other states and regions is a step towards the deployment of a uniform nationwide interoperable network. Besides better voice communications, the network would give first responders more "robust and faster" access to streaming video, digital imaging, computer-aided dispatching, mapping, and remote database access. 

Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez had previously joined nine members of New Jersey's Congressional Delegation to send a letter to the Federal Communications Commission supporting the state's petition to move forward with construction of this regional wireless broadband network. The FCC approved New Jersey's petition in May, making yesterday's grant award possible.

"I applaud the Senators for their support of a Public Safety Broadband System," said Chief Cimino, "and I am eager to learn more details as the program moves forward."