South Brunswick's Lifeline: Township Celebrates Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - The South Brunswick Township Police Department is celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week by recognizing the crucial work performed by the professionals staffing their Communications Center.

The National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is held annually in the second week of April.

Operating around the clock, these highly trained Public Safety Telecommunicators (PSTs) serve as the critical first point of contact during emergencies for both South Brunswick and Cranbury.

"Our dispatchers are the first voice people hear in a moment of crisis. They are highly trained professionals who remain calm under pressure and guide help to where it's needed most,” Chief Raymond Hayducka said.

“We are deeply grateful for their dedication and the vital role they play in supporting both our first responders and the community,"

South Brunswick’s Communications Center handles an impressive volume of calls annually, including 90,211 for South Brunswick Police, 27,140 for Cranbury Police, 4,370 for First Aid/EMS, and 1,282 for Fire Departments in 2024 alone.

Staffed by 12 full-time and 2 part-time PSTs, the team undergoes rigorous training including a 40-hour Basic Telecommunicator Course, 32-hour Emergency Medical Dispatch Course, and CPR/AED certification that requires renewal every two years. Their education continues with EMD recertification every three years.

The center's capabilities are extensive, processing approximately 1,800 9-1-1 calls monthly while managing multiple emergency, non-emergency, and internal phone lines.

They coordinate dispatching for three fire departments—Monmouth Junction, Kingston, and Kendall Park—as well as EMS dispatch for South Brunswick SB3, Monmouth Junction, and Kendall Park's paid and volunteer units.

The telecommunications team oversees radio communications for more than 800 radios across 50 radio channels and utilizes advanced systems like ENFORSYS, NJCJIS, NCIC, ATS, ACS, and MDCs to support officers in the field. They also monitor over 20 security cameras and panic alarms throughout township facilities.

As a testament to their commitment to excellence, the Communications Center has earned CALEA Accreditation, reflecting its adherence to professional standards in public safety communications.

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