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In March 2022, CenturyLink (Lumen) was awarded a contract to upgrade the Statewide Enhanced 9-1-1 Network to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), a digital IP-based platform. Kickoff meetings with County 9-1-1 Coordinators and PSAPs were held in April and May 2022.

NG911 replaces the legacy ALI and MSAG database lookup with Geographic Information System (GIS) maps to route calls based on the caller's physical location. Required GIS data includes address points, road centerlines, and PSAP boundaries.

While Counties are responsible for providing digital address points and road centerlines, the State Office of GIS has initial data available. This GIS data must be processed to match existing ALI/MSAG tables and comply with the NJ NG911 data model before each County can be upgraded.

Transitioning to NG911 requires investment in new call handling equipment (CHE). Some PSAPs can use a Legacy PSAP Gateway (LPG) to temporarily bridge older CHE until upgrades are funded, though full functionality won't be available until CHE upgrades are complete.

In July 2021, OETS notified PSAPs that KML SmartDMS terminals cannot use LPGs due to proprietary features. Primary PSAPs with KML terminals must replace their CHE, adopt a hosted solution, or consolidate with another PSAP. Secondary PSAPs/PSDPs using KML terminals may transition to receiving calls via 10-digit transfers until new equipment is procured.

The FY-2027 State Budget included a $5M 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-2027 Appropriations Handbook:  

Public Safety Answering Point Upgrades and Consolidation .. (5,000,000) 

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, 2026, with funding encumbered by OETS before June 30, 2027. 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. GIS (This is for counties). Provide for Multi-Year GIS Consultant Support for Next Generation 911.  The 2 primary responsibilities of the Consultant will be to improve the accuracy and currency of address point and road centerline GIS datasets and support them in eventual data submittals to the ESINet Spatial Interface for the respective County or PSAPCorrections to existing road centerline segments such as location or attributes. Contact OETS for more details if you are a county inquiring about this grant.
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. CAD to CAD applications to allow PSAPs to transfer 9-1-1 call information to other PSAPs or PSDPs. 
4. Additional call taker answering positions/console upgrades to accommodate the consolidation of other PSAP/PSDPs. 
5. Network/firewall improvements that will enhance cyber security posture for the PSAP. 
6. 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.