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Emergency Communications

The Communications Division of the Madison Police Department is a 24 hour/7 day a week operation that serves as the central answering point for all 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service requests from the residents and visitors in the Borough of Madison. Non-emergency and routine calls are received on the regular ten digit line, 973-593-3000.

Emergency calls should always be placed to 9-1-1 so that they are received in on the enhanced 9-1-1 system.

Responsibilities


The Communications Officer is responsible for maintaining the essential information link between the public, the police officers and other responders in the field.
Communications Officers Zaragoza

Smart 911
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Over 80% of call made to the 9-1-1 system come from cellular phones.  When you dial 9-1-1 from a mobile phone, the 9-1-1 call takers have very little information to help you – only your phone number and a very general sense of your location. With Smart911, you can provide 9-1-1 call takers and first responders critical information you want them to know in any kind of emergency.

When you call 9-1-1, your Smart911 Safety Profile displays on the 9-1-1 screen and the 9-1-1 call takers can view your addresses, medical information, home information, description of pets and vehicles, and emergency contacts. You can provide as much or as little information as you like.
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Register and Learn more about Smart911

Updated 9-1-1 System

In early 2009 the Madison has initiated a new graphical interface to the 9-1-1 system. The new mapping software shows a 9-1-1 callers address on a map at police headquarters (If initiated from a landline telephone, not true of cellular)  so that immediate location information can be given to police/fire/EMS personnel in the field. Once the call is received, the caller’s location is populated on displays in the communications room. Each patrol car is equipped with GPS, enabling the communications officer to quickly determine the closest patrol unit to the incident.

Emergency Medical Dispatch

Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) is medical direction you receive over the phone when reporting a medical emergency. In the late 90s New Jersey mandated that all 9-1-1 callers receive medical direction when a call is placed for medical assistance. (NJ State 911 Commission, N.J.S.A 52:17C et seq. & N.J.A.C 17.25). In Madison the communications desk is solely staffed, making this an impossible task. Madison contracts with Morris County Communications Center who provides this function.

Reminders

When dialing 9-1-1 or reporting an emergency on (973) 593-3000 please remember the following:
  • A false 9-1-1 call is a violation of the New Jersey Criminal Code, 2C:33-3
  • 9-1-1 is for emergencies only, however if 9-1-1 is dialed on error stay on the line and advise the communications officer of the misdial.
  • Always confirm with the communications officer the specific address of the call. The call may not be in the same proximity of the caller.
    • Advise the communications officer the nature of the call.
    • If the call is for medical assistance, do not hang up with the communications officer. Stay on the line, you will be transferred by the communications officer to the emergency medical dispatcher, who will provide pre-arrival medical assistance over the telephone prior to arrival of the first emergency units.
    • If the call is for a police emergency, remember to be a good witness. Do not be confrontational with robbers or thieves. Get a good description of the actor/actors, a clothing description, a vehicle description, and a direction of travel.
    • If the call is for a house fire, advise the communications officer the location and extent of the fire i.e.: “There is a fire on the third floor, apartment 3-G”. Advise the communications officer if everyone has exited the structure or if there still is anyone inside. Pertinent information will be forward to fire units.
    • After 4 p.m. and on weekends, the police communication desk handles all calls for emergency assistance in the Borough, including Water, Electric, Sewer

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact a member of the Communications Division.
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