Atlantic County is seeking public feedback on studies exploring the creation of a centralized 911 dispatch system, a move that could affect emergency response services across the region.
More than 100 people attended a Monday night presentation to review findings from a feasibility study, according to a statement issued by the county on Tuesday.
The study and a cost impact analysis prepared by ADCOMM Engineering LLC are now available on the county website for review and comment.
County Executive Dennis Levinson told attendees at the Anthony Canale Fire Training Center in Egg Harbor Township that the county will follow the preferences of local municipalities on whether to move forward with a centralized 911 call center and dispatch system.
Centralized dispatch was discussed in Atlantic County about 10 years ago.
The idea was dismissed due to pressure from opponents, according to Levinson’s statement.
Atlantic County is now the only county out of 21 in the state that does not have some form of centralized dispatch, Levinson said.
“I can’t force this issue, but I can bring all interested parties together with full transparency to share in the decision-making process,” he said in a statement.
Levinson urged fire, police, emergency medical services and elected municipal officials to review the studies and participate in discussions.
He said the move to central dispatching was not something that can be accomplished in short order.
“The longer we wait the more expensive it becomes,” Levinson said.
