PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
September 3, 2013

Mary E. O'Dowd, M.P.H.
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Media Advisory - Health Commissioner O’Dowd to Visit Sea Bright to Distribute Emergency Radios to County EMS Coordinators

Department of Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd will visit Sea Bright on Wednesday, September 4 at 1:30 pm. to distribute 21 hand-held, two-way, walkie-talkie radios to County Emergency Medical Service Coordinators.  The new radios are connected to a statewide 800 MHz radio system and will ensure 24/7 communication when landline and cellphone systems fail.

Questions and Answers and a Photo Op will take place after the Press Conference

What:              Distribution of 800 MHz radios to 21 County EMS Coordinators

Where:            Sea Bright EMS/Fire/Police Department Headquarters
                        1099 East Ocean Avenue., Sea Bright, NJ

When:              1:30 - 2:00 pm.

Who:

  • Dina Long - Mayor, Sea Bright
  • Mary E. O'Dowd - Commissioner, New Jersey State Department of Health
  • Shaun Golden - Monmouth County Sheriff
  • Thomas Arnone - Monmouth County Freeholder Director

Twenty-one radios (1 for each New Jersey County) will be provided to County EMS Coordinators.  The radios were funded with $118,000 in federal Social Services Block Grant funding.   Currently, counties each have one hand-held, two-way, walkie-talkie radio that is part of a statewide 800 MHz radio system, which is the primary means of communication during disaster response. 

During Superstorm Sandy, it became clear how vital this means of communication is in order for counties to work with homeowners, nursing homes, hospitals and other businesses to communicate information and plan for possible evacuations if other forms of communication are unavailable. With the distribution of the new radios, each county will have two 800 MHz radios so that County EMS Coordinators and their deputies can better coordinate emergency response.

Last Reviewed: 9/3/2013