Hudson County, NJ – The New Jersey Interoperability Communications System (NJICS) provided inter-agency communications for over 15 agencies activated as a result of the Orange alert response for New York and New Jersey transportation systems Chief Raymond Hayling of the New Jersey Attorney General’s office said today.
Hudson County’s Rapid Deployment Team, which comprises law enforcement officers from more 15 agencies, was deployed to more than 10 crossing between New York and New Jersey. These deployments included working with the U.S. Coast Guard to protect and patrol the waterways between New York City and several Hudson County locations. Managing communications between 15 different agencies can be challenging, however, the NJICS supported the entire operation and made communications seamless.
“If you ask any Police, Fire, or EMS Chief, they will tell you that communications one of the most important problems facing public safety,” said Chief Hayling. “Then combine 15 different agencies and you have exponentially increased the number of issues.” Using the various assets of the NJICS allows public safety agencies to respond to these challenges quickly and effectively without modifying their day-to-day activities. It also assists in improving command and control as the system’s operational usage is driven by the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The NJICS has been developed as a priority of New Jersey’s public safety agencies. “It was clear from the events of 9/11 that first responders needed the ability to speak to each other” said Lt. Anthony Melia of the Essex County Sheriff’s department and the state’s frequency coordinator. The NJICS initiated in the Northeast region of the state and is currently either implemented or in the process of being implemented in 18 of the state’s 21 counties. The system consists of interoperability channels, various communications equipment, and standard operating policies. It provides enhanced interoperability for federal, state, and local public safety agencies and does not require any investment in new equipment by the participating agencies. It also closely mirrors the Department of Homeland Security’s SAFECOM program recommendations for interoperable communications by establishing shared channels.
In this Orange Alert deployment NJICS provided radio equipment from the NJICS cache and interoperability channels for command and control and tactical operations. The system supported over 80 RDF members from the various agencies deployed. The system has been operational for the duration of the Orange alert.
The NJICS has been activated for previous incidents such as:
- State Rapid Deployment Team deployment to the Presidential Inauguration;
- Supported previous Orange alert New Jersey State Police and Newark Police Department;
- Supported more than 150 EMS agencies during the Top Official 3(TOPOFF3) exercise; and
- Provided communications for a major jail move involving over 5 agencies in Essex County, New Jersey.
