Plans show new county communications center

Representatives of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office stressed the importance of communication and unveiled a proposal for a new county emergency communications center during a meeting held Aug. 4 at the Monmouth County Police Academy, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township.

Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph Oxley explained that the plans are preliminary, but said constructing such a building is a necessity since the current communications operation is "bursting at the seams."

The existing communications center in the police academy answers 911 calls, handles police dispatches in seven municipalities, fire dispatches in 23 municipalities and emergency medical services dispatches in 20 municipalities. Oxley said plans for a new communications center are a work in progress and the configuration could change.

The plan presented was a "broad outline of the vision, a broad outline of where we plan to go in the future and a broad outline of how we think it's going to be a benefit throughout the communities here in Monmouth County," Oxley said.

According to Oxley, the proposed communications center would be built behind the police academy. When completed, 80 to 90 percent of the dispatch services would move into the new building - a move which would free up classroom space at the police academy.

Oxley said the future of the county was taken into consideration as plans for the new facility were being developed. He said the new building would allow additional municipalities to contract with the county and consolidate or merge their dispatch services.

The new communications center would include emergency consoles for dispatching police, fire and first aid responders, along with training areas and a police computer operation.

"What we're looking at is a cost savings with the county communications center, upgrading to a state-of-the-art facility, the efficiency of having everything done in one spot, our properly trained staff with the continuing ongoing education they go through and a consistent standard of excellence," said John Cuccia, senior public safety telecommunicator.

According to Monmouth County Board of Freeholders Director William Barham, data indicates that during the next 15 years, an additional 88,000 people will come to Monmouth County. The county presently has about 636,000 residents. Barham said the information relating to the county's projected growth was taken into account when plans for the new communications center were being developed.

Oxley said that in a disaster situation, communication, solid infrastructure and partnership is imperative.

According to the sheriff's office, the design process for the new communications center could take between six and nine months and construction of the facility could last for 18 months.

- Sharon Leff