Burlington County has completed a $1 million upgrade to its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), aiming to improve its response to storms, floods, and other emergencies. The county commissioners announced the completion of the multiphase project this month, which included installing a new video and information wall. These upgrades are the first significant improvements to the EOC since it was built in the early 2000s.
“There is no greater responsibility for our government than the health and safety of Burlington County residents, and the improvements to the Emergency Operations Center makes our County better prepared for all manner of disasters and emergencies,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson.
Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel added, “Burlington County has seen the devastation caused by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other emergencies. Equipping Burlington County’s emergency management team and responders with the best possible technology helps them to better plan, respond and coordinate with local first responders and partner agencies. The improvements will enhance our ability to communicate, share information and manage resources so they go where they are most needed.”
The EOC is located in the lower level of the Burlington County Public Safety Building on Academy Drive in Westampton. It serves as the main coordination point for disasters including extreme weather events, health emergencies, terror attacks, and other incidents. The center contains 24 workstations, a communications hub, and meeting space for emergency coordinators from various agencies at multiple levels.
The new video wall features interactive monitors that display maps, video conferences, news reports, traffic cameras, dispatch reports, satellite feeds, and other real-time data used for planning and response efforts.
Other updates include multi-purpose workstations with all-in-one computers for operational agencies; telecommunications equipment for enhanced teleconferencing; a new conference table with smart boards; additional video monitors in coordinator offices; updated computer servers with battery backup; and software allowing continued operations during infrastructure failures. The upgrades also provide access to both county-level and New Jersey Department of Transportation highway traffic cameras as well as Central Communications dispatch data.
Funding for these improvements came partly from a $637,195 federal grant awarded through a FY2024 government funding package championed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
“This project and the vital public safety enhancements would not have been possible without the help of both Senator Kim and Senator Booker, who both included our project in their budgetary requests,” said Commissioner Eckel. “The funding has made the Burlington County Emergency Operations a centralized command center that can be used by local, county state and federal partners during crisis situations. We thank both senators for helping us make our residents safer by providing responders with the tools they need in an emergency.”
Senator Kim commented on his support: “As New Jersey continues to navigate life-threatening storms that are happening with increasing intensity and regularity across the state, I’m grateful that Burlington County was able to see this project through and make the upgrades needed to keep Burlington residents safe. We fought hard for this funding, but we must keep working to restore FEMA funding and prepare our communities to deal with these natural disasters and prevent tragedy.”
These EOC upgrades are part of ongoing infrastructure improvements by Burlington County focused on public safety. Earlier this month saw completion of a $3 million renovation at the Health Department Building in Westampton along with acquisition of a new Mobile Health vehicle. In 2021, there was also a $45 million overhaul of emergency communications systems including new radios for first responders.
The Department of Public Safety is nearing completion on acquiring a mobile emergency management command vehicle using federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act.
“These improvements are investments in the health, safety and welfare of Burlington County residents but also the people who put their lives on the line to serve and protect them,” said Commissioner Hopson. “Our Board is proud to support these improvements, and we will continue to look for all possible solutions and methods to improve public safety.”
Burlington County covers 827 square miles as New Jersey’s largest county by area according to its official website. The county operates under a Board of Commissioners comprising five at-large members led by an administrator (source). There are 40 political subdivisions within Burlington County—three cities, six boroughs, and 31 townships (source).
