FREEHOLD BOROUGH MOVES FIRE DISPATCH TO MONMOUTH COUNTY

The plan for the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Communications Center to take over fire dispatch operations in Freehold Borough has been implemented. On October 1st, all fire calls for Freehold Borough were transferred to Monmouth County. “This move is another great example of shared services and consolidation,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “It’s an efficient, cost savings measure that does not compromise public safety.”

The shared service will save Freehold Borough $150,000 annually. “In an effort to cut costs as well as take advantage of the sophisticated technology Monmouth County’s 9-1-1 Communications Center has to offer, we decided it would be in the Borough’s best interest to transfer our fire calls,” said Mayor Michael Wilson. Monmouth County already answers the Borough’s 9-1-1 calls and provides dispatch for emergency medical services.

Before the switch, Freehold Borough residents called the fire department number for services, or they called the Monmouth County 9-1-1 Center and the fire department was then contacted. Now, after residents dial the 9-1-1 Communications Center, an alert will be sent out directly to the more than 100 volunteer firefighters. “The change will provide the same or higher level of services through our trained, dedicated team of public safety telecommunicators,” said Sheriff Golden. “They serve the County 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are emergency medical dispatchers, emergency communication officers and National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) terminal operators.”

The Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center, staffed with 65 public safety telecommunicators, provides a high level of 9-1-1 services to 44 municipalities, dispatches for 9 police departments, 32 fire departments and 24 first aid squads.