LOCAL LEADERS TOUR NEW SHORE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone welcomed many local leaders throughout Monmouth County to the Shore Area Communications Center (S.A.C.C.), during an open house on Tuesday, November 29th. The new 9-1-1 center which is located on Route 33 in Neptune Township will provide 9-1-1 services as well as police, fire and EMS dispatch services to Neptune Township, Neptune City, Asbury Park and Avon, with more coastal towns set to come on board in the near future. “This is a commitment to shared services and a great example of how government partnerships work,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “With the launch of the S.A.C.C., we take a great leap forward by increasing the availability and efficiency of the county’s 9-1-1 communications system to our shore area, and, by improving emergency communications at a cost savings for municipalities.”

Those who visited the S.A.C.C. were given a tour of the facility which is equipped with state of the art technology including 18 communications consoles, and, training classrooms for public safety telecommunicators.

“This is a major step forward during these tough economic times when towns are looking to cut costs and increase efficiencies,” said Mayor Robert Brown, Neptune City.

“I’m proud that Neptune City is one of the first towns to participate in this ultimate shared service, and, encourage shore towns to become a part of this advantageous opportunity.”

Monmouth County’s current 9-1-1 Communications Center, located in Freehold Township provides 9-1-1 services to 49 local jurisdictions, dispatches for 15 police departments, 53 fire departments and 26 EMS squads. Due to the overwhelming demand for county 9-1-1 services, the facility no longer has adequate space to accommodate additional towns. A new state of the art 9-1-1 facility is being built behind the Police Academy in Freehold with a grand opening set for 2013. For the immediate future, 9-1-1 services are being offered to all shore towns at the S.A.C.C. in Neptune. “The opening of the S.A.C.C. is the perfect plan for shared services in the shore area,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Shared Service Liaison. “It will reduce costs and increase key services to residents, as well as provide additional revenue to the county.”

The S.A.C.C. is expected to be in full operation by January 2012.