County Commissioners Dedicate Two Public Safety Vehicles, Extend Emergency Notification System
The Burlington County Commissioners dedicated the Department of Public Safety’s newly acquired mobile emergency services command vehicle and tower ladder truck on Saturday, saying the new equipment will significantly enhance the County’s ability to manage disasters and train first responders.
Joined by the newest class of Burlington County Firefighter Academy cadets and local emergency management officials from across the county, Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson, Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, and Commissioner Randy Brolo cut a ceremonial ribbon to welcome the new mobile command center vehicle and ladder truck into service. Both vehicles were also “blessed” by Chaplain Dorion Morgan of Restoration Station Church in Mount Laurel.
During the ceremony, the Commissioners also accepted a ceremonial check from State Senator Troy Singleton and Assemblyman Balvir Singh in honor of a $300,000 grant the legislators helped secure in the FY2027 state budget to extend the Department of Public Safety’s CivicReady emergency alert system.
“We know there is no greater responsibility for our government than protecting the health and safety of Burlington County’s more than 460,000 residents,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “These new public safety vehicles and the extension of our emergency alert system help make Burlington County better prepared, better trained, and better equipped to provide the kind of support and assistance our communities and residents deserve.”
“Burlington County has weathered storms, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and other emergencies with help from our Public Safety professionals and responders,” added Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, liaison to the County Department of Public Safety. “These recent enhancements ensure our County is equipped with the best available technology and training, and that our residents can continue to receive potentially life-saving information when needed.”
New command vehicle
The new command vehicle is a 2026 Freightliner outfitted with state-of-the-art communications and teleconferencing equipment, computers, monitors, internet, sound system, and other equipment to allow it to function as an on-scene, unified command center for police, fire, EMS, and emergency management personnel. The 47-foot vehicle has space for command meetings of up to 20 people inside and four telecommunications stations capable of fielding 911 emergency calls and dispatching police, fire, and emergency medical crews.
The command vehicle was acquired and outfitted using $1.3 million in federal funding awarded to Burlington County from the American Rescue Plan Act. It replaces the County Office of Emergency Management’s previous command vehicle, which had been in service for over 20 years and had outdated equipment.
The new command vehicle is configured and wired so it can be retrofitted with additional, newer technology as it is developed.
“The new command vehicle is the result of four years of planning and design with input from our emergency management coordinators, Department of Information Technology staff, Public Safety dispatchers, and other experts,” said Commissioner Eckel. “It enhances our OEM’s ability to provide help and support to Burlington County’s towns and residents when they are most in need.”
Ladder truck
The firefighter training truck is a 1999 Pierce “Lance” 100-foot aerial tower ladder truck that was previously in service with the Burlington Township Fire Department. It was donated to the Burlington County Department of Public Safety for use as a training vehicle for new and current firefighters at the Emergency Services Training Center.
The County ESTC has never had its own ladder truck. It previously relied on local fire departments to send their apparatus outside their communities to the training center so fire cadets could train with them.
The donated ladder truck will be available for the fire academy training and for various local fire departments to use for drills.
Since 2021, 272 volunteer firefighters have completed their Basic Firefighter training at the Emergency Services Training Center, and local fire departments have held 617 drills there.
Emergency Alert System
The County’s CivicReady emergency alert system provides real-time alerts and notifications about severe weather, fires, power outages, floods, road closures, and other emergencies. Residents can register to have the alerts sent as messages to their home phones or as texts/email messages sent to their cell phones or computers. To register, go to https://www.burlingtoncountynj.gov/210/Emergency-Notification-Systems .
The County Office of Emergency Management is the principal user of the system, but the notification system is also available for all 40 Burlington County municipalities to use free-of-charge, rather than relying on other alert systems that charge fees.
The $300,000 grant secured by Senator Singleton and his legislative partners allows Burlington County to extend the service for another four years without interruption and without passing on any expense to local municipalities and County taxpayers.
“I was proud to sponsor the FY27 budget resolution that secured this funding, helping Burlington County continue providing every municipality with a critical emergency notification system for the next four years. From reverse 9-1-1 calls and emergency text messages to mass notification emails, this system ensures residents can receive timely, potentially life-saving information when emergencies arise,” said Senator Singleton. “Public service is about delivering results that make a real difference in people's lives. I'm proud to help ensure Burlington County continues to have the resources it needs to keep our residents safe.”
“When emergencies occur, it’s imperative that residents receive critical information in a timely fashion, and Burlington County’s notification system ensures that happens,” added Assemblyman Singh. “Extending this service free-of-charge to all the county’s municipalities helps protect public safety and saves money for towns and their taxpayers. It’s a great service that we are proud to help support.”
Other public safety improvements
Acquiring the new public safety vehicles and extending the emergency notification system are the latest of several infrastructure improvements completed by the County to enhance public safety and health. Some of those improvements include:
“These improvements are critical investments in the health, safety and welfare of Burlington County residents and those who put their lives on the line to protect them,” said Commissioner Brolo. “Our Board is proud to support these improvements, and we will continue to look for new ways to enhance public safety.”
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