Official Site of The State of New Jersey

In March 2022, after a lengthy RFP and bidding process, a contract was awarded to CenturyLink, DBA Lumen to upgrade the Statewide Enhanced 9-1-1 Network from the legacy analog system to a state-of-the-art digital IP based platform, referred to as Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).  On April 22, 2022, OETS, along with the OIT and Lumen Project Team conducted a kickoff meeting with the County 9-1-1 Coordinators, followed by a similar kickoff meeting for PSAPs on May 20, 2022, to provide an overview and timeframe for implementing such a massive project.

To route an incoming call to the correct PSAP, NG911 replaces the e911 ALI and MSAG database lookup with a new approach that relies on digital Geographic Information System (GIS) maps and related information to route calls. In NG911 the physical location of the caller (could still be an address, but most likely the location is provided by a cell phone) determines which PSAP gets the call. GIS map data required to support these functions in NG911 includes address points, road centerlines and PSAP boundaries. 

While each County is ultimately responsible for providing digital address points and road centerlines into the NG911 system, the State Office of GIS has initial digital address points and road centerlines for every County.  Address data and road data sourced from the County and/or municipal level is considered authoritative and, if available, can be incorporated with the existing State data.  This GIS data must be processed to match the existing ALI and MSAG tables and adhere to the NJ NG911 data model.  Each County must have their GIS data processed and verified before the County can be upgraded to NG911.

Recognizing that transitioning the legacy analog network infrastructure to a modern digital system will not be a quick nor easy mission, it will also require an investment in new call handling equipment (CHE) at the PSAPs to benefit from this new technology. In recent years some PSAPs have made upgrades to their CHE that will permit a graceful transition to the new NG9-1-1 IP network.  Some, although their equipment may be relatively new, will require additional upgrades to take full advantage of the NG9-1-1 capabilities.  Many PSAPs will require either the wholesale replacement of their call handling equipment or the decision to consolidate with another PSAP. As part of the Lumen contract many PSAPs will be able to leverage what is known as a Legacy PSAP Gateway (LPG) that will permit older CHE to function until funding can be obtained to perform the necessary upgrades. Although PSAPs relying on the temporary use of a LPG will permit the network migration to NG9-1-1, not all of the functionality will be available until a CHE upgrade is accomplished.

In July 2021 OETS notified PSAPs utilizing the KML SmartDMS terminals that the use of LPGs is not an option because of the proprietary features rooted in the KML terminals, therefore, there is no path forward and new CHE would be required. Secondary PSAPs or PSDPs utilizing the KML terminals may choose to transition having their calls transferred from the PSAP over a 10-digit phone number until new equipment can be procured.  There may come a time during the NG9-1-1 cutover PSDP’s that have not procured new CHE will be forced to transition the transfer of their 9-1-1 calls from the PSAP over a 10-digit line to permit the decommissioning of the legacy selective routers.  Primary PSAPs using KML terminals must replace their CHE with new on-site equipment, consider a hosted solution, or consolidate with another PSAP.

The FY-2025 State Budget included a $10M appropriation to create a grant opportunity to assist in the upgrading of PSAP equipment and create incentives for consolidation of PSAPs.  The following is from the FY-2025 Appropriations Handbook:

Public Safety Answering Point Upgrades and Consolidation .. (10,000,000)

The amount hereinabove appropriated for Public Safety Answering Point Upgrades and Consolidation shall be used to provide grants to units of local governments for equipment upgrades and consolidation of Public Safety Answering Points, pursuant to a competitive process, by the Chief Technology Officer, and in accordance with grant criteria to be jointly developed by the Office of Emergency Telecommunication Services within the Office of Information Technology and the Department of the Treasury, subject to the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.

The Next Generation 9-1-1 PSAP Grant period shall coincide with the State’s fiscal period, beginning July 1, 2024, with funding encumbered by OETS before June 30, 2025. OETS will distribute the funds after they are encumbered. Grant availability in future fiscal years is at the pleasure of Legislature and Administration and unknown currently.

For PSAPs to be eligible to receive NG9-1-1 PSAP Grants the PSAP must meet the following criteria:

1. The PSAP shall be operated by a county agency, or;
2. The PSAP shall serve a population of 65,000 or more, based on the most recent Census Bureau statistics with the serving population specified on the Grant Applicants resolution by the governing body, and;
3. The PSAP shall be configured with a minimum of two fully equipped call-taker positions as defined in N.J.A.C. 17:24-2.1, and;
4. Maintain a minimum staffing level at the PSAP consisting of two certified call-takers/dispatchers dedicated to PSAP operations at all times. Such minimum staffing levels, at the discretion of OETS, may need to be sufficiently documented to show that the PSAP met this minimum staffing level at all times during the 60-day period prior to the Grant Application date by supplying staffing schedules for that period.  Grant recipients may be required validate such staffing levels throughout the grant period, or;
5. Consideration will be made to PSAPs that have been designated as Resort Municipalities in the New Jersey Uniform Crime Report that maintain a minimum staffing level at the PSAP consisting of two certified call-takers/dispatchers dedicated to PSAP operations during those months recognized as peak tourist season, and;
6. PSAP staffing shall not utilize regularly scheduled sworn officers as call takers or dispatchers except in instances where the sworn officer is returning to active duty from an injury or other physical disability or other unique situation that precluded that officer from performing law enforcement duties.

Allowable use of NG9-1-1 PSAP Grant Funding:

1. Preparation of required digital Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data:
   1. Working with technical guidance from the NJ Office of GIS, OIT, njgin, process existing road and address data (State provided and County provided, if available) to match the existing MSAG and ALI tables:
      1. Synchronize Address data and Road data, a.k.a. fishbone analysis.
      2. Synchronize Address data and Road data with the MSAG.  Must have 98% match rate.
      3. Synchronize Address data and Road data with the ALI.  Must have 98% match rate.
   2. Existing State digital GIS data available from the NJ Office of GIS, OIT:
      1. Address points layer in Esri file geodatabase format
      2. Road Centerlines layer in Esri file geodatabase format
   3. Data deliverables must adhere to the New Jersey NG911 Data model, which is based on the NENA NG911 data model.  The datasets provided above already follow this data model.
2. PSAP Equipment funding to upgrade/replace CHE that is not able to take full advantage of the NG9-1-1 capabilities or approaching end of life. This includes on-site CHE, geo-diverse configurations and hosted solutions approved by OETS and the network vendor.
3. Additional call taker answering positions/console upgrades to accommodate the consolidation of other PSAP/PSDPs.
4. Network/firewall improvements that will enhance cyber security posture for the
5. Minor alterations to equipment room to permit installation of NG9-1-1 equipment rack and any required new equipment.

Example of non-allowable items for NG9-1-1 PSAP Grant funding include:

1. Non-Supplanting funding, any costs listed above that the applicant has previously purchased or has issued a purchase order to procure for the purposes of PSAP enhancements.
2. Salaries.
3. Consultant fees.
4. Vehicles.
5. Radio equipment.
6. Mobile data networks.
7. Major PSAP building alterations or construction projects.
8. Furniture.

NG9-1-1 PSAP Grant Application

NG9-1-1 PSAP Grant recipients must adhere to all applicable State and Federal Laws, OMB Circular Letters pertaining to the auditing and reporting of state aid.

The grantee will be required to meet the State programmatic and fiscal reporting standards, which include submission to the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services, detailed Cost Statements/Expenditure Reports during the grant period and the maintenance of a bookkeeping system, records, and separate grant files that clearly identify the expenditure of grant funds.  If deviations in the approved project or grant duration occur during the grant period, the PSAP must request and receive approval from the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services.  The Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services may approve requests provided the requested change continues to meet the intent of the Grant Program and requires no additional funds or require the unexpended funds be returned.

All expenditures from the NG9-1-1 PSAP Grant shall be attested to by the Chief Financial Officer of the governing body as being consistent with any Grant Requests and used for the purpose stated in any Grant Application.  Any variation will jeopardize future grant awards and they may require the governing entity to forfeit any misused funds.