Warren County seeks municipal ordinances on radio booster installation in ‘large hardened buildings’

Warren County officials are encouraging the county’s 22 municipalities to adopt an ordinance requiring large harden buildings – such as shopping centers, schools, apartment buildings, and medical facilities – to install radio booster equipment to assist critical communications by emergency first responders.

The Warren County Public Safety Department is circulating a model ordinance and specifications for in-building radio communications in the hopes of preventing a situation where first responders inside such buildings are unable to communicate with each other and with dispatch centers.

So far, Mansfield Township, Lopatcong Township and Pohatcong Township have adopted ordinances and White Township is in the process of passing it, while six other municipalities have indicated they are receptive to the idea, officials said.

“I’m pleased that some Warren County municipalities have enacted this ordinance already but it is our goal to have 100% adoption. We need to make sure that our first responders can rely on their communication equipment while doing their jobs. These brave men and women put their life on the line and we must try to eliminate any obstacle they face,” Warren County Freeholder James R. Kern III said.

According to Warren County Public Safety Director Frank Wheatley, the “large hardened buildings” can sometimes block the radio signals going to and from law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

Requiring malls and retail centers, offices, hotels, condominiums and apartments, medical facilities, training centers, schools and other structures to install radio booster equipment will insure unimpeded communications for first responders, official said.