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Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac today announced the appointment of a blue-ribbon advisory panel to assist in the planning, procurement and implementation of a Township-wide, state-of-the-art police and emergency radio communications system.

“The most important and crucial responsibility of Township government is protecting the public safety during times of crises,” said Mayor McCormac. “The key to effective emergency management response is a radio communications system capable of allowing police, fire, emergency management, EMS, Department of Public Works+ and other municipal government agencies and personnel to effectively talk to each other at all times – particularly during an emergency or disaster-related event. To make certain we get the best system available, I have put together a team of emergency management and radio communications experts to assist in the development and implementation of an advanced police and emergency radio communications system,” Mayor McCormac said.

The members of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Radio Communications include:

• Kevin Wertz, Former Chief and current member of Iselin Fire District #9, retired law enforcement official and former Municipal Councilman;
• First Ward Councilman Charles Kenny, Captain and career firefighter, Woodbridge Township Fire Department;
• Councilman James Major, Fourth Ward;
• Dennis Henry, Director, Department of Public Works, Woodbridge Township and Fire Commissioner, Fords Fire District #1;
• Michael D. Esolda, Chief Information Officer, Woodbridge Township;
• Walter Hanks, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Woodbridge Township and Fire Commissioner, Avenel Fire Department;
• Paul DeLeo, career firefighter;
• Charles Paul, EMS representative;
• Captain Scott Kuzma, Woodbridge Police Department;
• Edward Mullen, former Fire Chief;
• John C. Kenny, Fire Commissioner, Woodbridge Fire Department
• William Londell, career member of the Iselin First Aid Squad and the Woodbridge Township Ambulance and Rescue Squad.

Mayor McCormac noted that the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Radio Communications is charged with the review and oversight of the long-term project to implement a trunked, digital simulcast radio system that utilizes state-of-the-art technology and protocols. Additionally, the Commission will serve as liaison between the Mayor’s Office, the Woodbridge Police Department, and the Township’s nine fire districts and six EMS squads relative to the radio communications project.

In the aftermath of September 11, the State of New Jersey determined the need for state, county and municipal police and emergency management agencies to upgrade and/or implement radio communications networks capable of accommodating the needs of all public safety users – police, fire, EMS, and other municipal government agencies. Woodbridge Township has begun planning for the staged implementation of a comprehensive public safety radio communications system that will allow the Township’s 24 public service entities (police, fire, EMS and local government services) to intercommunicate. The new Woodbridge Township Public Safety Communications System will replace the current radio communications system that was installed in 1978. The Woodbridge Township Police Department currently receives more than 100,000 calls service a year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION COMNTACT:
John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
732-602-6039

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