Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Reliable, timely communications among public safety responders and between public safety agencies and citizens, is critical to effectively carrying out public safety missions, and in many cases, saving lives.

Traditional voice capabilities, such as land mobile radio (LMR) and landline 9-1-1 services have long been and continue to be critical tools for communications. However, the advancement of Internet Protocol (IP) based technologies in public safety has increased the type and amount of information responders receive, the tools they communicate with, and the complexity that comes with new and interdependent systems. Both the promise and challenges new technologies bring increase the need for coordination across public safety disciplines, communications functions, and levels of government to ensure emergency communications capabilities are interoperable, reliable, and secure.

An example of this evolution is the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) implementation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). All 56 states and territories, including New Jersey, have opted-in to FirstNet. With this new wireless cellular network, agencies will be able to supplement existing LMR capabilities to provide public safety users with spectrum, broadband capabilities, and the means to move and transfer data as never before. Its adoption and implementation will entail close coordination with 9-1-1 administrators, dispatch supervisors, LMR systems managers and managers of alert and warning systems to ensure interoperability and cybersecurity are not sacrificed as agencies begin adopting wireless cellular devices for daily operations. Many New Jersey’s public safety users rely on an ultra-high frequency (UHF) T-Band radio system. This necessitates the migration to other public safety spectrum.

Similarly, the transition of New Jersey’s Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) system to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) technology will enhance sharing of critical information in real-time using multimedia—such as pictures, video, and text — among citizens, Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operators, and first responders. Different levels of service are being provided across the country regarding NG9-1-1. While the benefits of NG9-1-1 are tremendous, interfacing systems along with governance, standard operating procedures, training, and funding are necessary to fully realize these benefits and ensure the security of information are all key elements to successful implementation.

All together, these technological capabilities ensure that emergency responders can send out notifications, alerts, and warnings, receive reports and requests for assistance, and effectively coordinate among themselves to efficiently respond to an incident and ensure the wellbeing of life and property within the state of New Jersey.

Seamless, coordinated, and integrated public safety communications, when needed, for the safe, effective, and efficient protection of life and property involving New Jersey and surrounding states.

Effective interoperable communications in New Jersey and surrounding states between all first responders and stakeholders when needed.