In 2018—fifty years to the day after the first ever 9-1-1 call back in 1968—Monmouth County’s 9-1-1 Emergency Operations Center led so effectively by Sheriff Shaun Golden, was honored in Washington, DC for its “overall excellence in serving the public.”

PHOTO: As Rep. Chris Smith cuts the ribbon, numerous county officials join in to help mark the completion of the communications modernization project. From the left are: Robert Dawson, Monmouth County Undersheriff; Robert Compton, Director of Monmouth County Public Works and Engineering; Michael McCulloch, Monmouth County Superintendent of Facilities Management; County Commissioners Deputy Director Sue Kiley and Director Tom Arnone; Rep. Chris Smith (holding scissors); Sheriff Shaun Golden; County Clerk Christine Hanlon; Commissioner Erik Anderson; County OEM Coordinator Scott Neilson, and; Philip Meehan, Undersheriff.

The prestigious national recognition—the Outstanding 9-1-1 Call Center Award by the Next Generation 9-1-1 Institute—recognized the vision, innovation and brilliance of a command and coordination center that effectively links law enforcement, fire and emergency response of every kind in a way that is faster, more efficacious and at a lower cost to substantially improve outcomes.

Fast, professional and comprehensive responses to challenges large and small saves lives and property.

Today we mark yet another milestone in the pursuit of protecting the people of Monmouth County—and it comes as we begin hurricane season.

As you may know, each Member of Congress is permitted to secure a very limited number of earmarks for worthy projects in their district.

Sheriff Shaun Golden, strongly backed by Director Tom Arnone and the County Commissioners asked that I secure federal funds for substantial upgrades and improvements. 

As a first step, on March 27, 2023, I wrote a letter to the Appropriations Committee Chairwomen Kay Granger and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro as well as Chairman David Joyce and Ranking Member Henry Cuellar of the Homeland Security Subcommittee to request the earmark for substantial upgrades and improvements to the Emergency Operations Center.

I lobbied and pushed hard.  My earmark was approved.

The project:

•         Upgrades a failing Emergency Operations Center Video Wall. This large multi-monitor video wall provides situational information for all emergency support function personnel operating during an event. These functions are, but not limited to; weather updates, 9-1-1 emergencies for assistance, local news reports, damage assessments, and incident objectives.
•         Upgrades and enhances Monmouth County Flood Warning System. Giving County and local responders real time weather and water height information for decision making throughout Monmouth County.
•         Upgrades desktop computers and monitors that will replace aging systems. This will allow EOC personnel to better assist with deploying resources through the communities in a timely matter.
•         The purchase of laptop style computers which will allow personnel to conduct preliminary damage assessments (PDA’s). These PDAs are needed in the field during natural or manmade disasters to accurately record damages. These laptops would also be used as backup to the EOC should it be compromised.
•         iPad tablets would allow real time tracking and status of evacuations to municipal receptions centers and county operated shelters. Monmouth County has 50 municipal receptions center and 4 evacuation shelters. This would also assist with accountability of residents and reunification.
•         Upgrades of seating in emergency operations center. This will improve ergonomics for long operational periods.
•         Upgrades of phone system within the Emergency operations. This would replace end of life phones currently within the EOC. Provide ability for a surge call center during disasters and assist in EOC operations.