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< Back Bureau of Law Enforcement Welcomes New Officer Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Hires New Officer Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Sheriff’s Officer in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement. At a ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office earlier this morning, Sheriff Strada administered the Oath of Office to Sheriff’s Officer Trevor Floyd. A lifelong resident of Sussex County and a 2014 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Floyd attended Sussex County Community College where he earned an Associate’s of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Last month, Officer Floyd graduated from the Morris County Police Academy’s 100th Basic Police Course. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Floyd will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Immediately following swearing in Officer Floyd, Sheriff Strada congratulated him, welcomed him to the agency, and wished him success in his career.

Arrested: Kenneth Wilkins, age 23, of Branchville, Steven Pierce, age 36, formerly of Stillwater Township and Joseph Selobyt, age 45, of Frankford Township, NJ. < Back Narcotics distributor arrested in Frankford Township Arrested: Kenneth Wilkins, age 23, of Branchville, Steven Pierce, age 36, formerly of Stillwater Township and Joseph Selobyt, age 45, of Frankford Township, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, March 4, 2014, members of the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force, accompanied by New Jersey State Police troopers and an officer from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, arrested Kenneth Wilkins and Joseph Selobyt during a motor vehicle stop in Frankford Township. Selobyt, who was already the subject of an outstanding Superior Court warrant for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, was also found to be in possession of 60 bags of cocaine weighing approximately 18 grams and 5 grams of raw (uncut) heroin at the time of his arrest. Both Selobyt and Wilkins were transported to the New Jersey State Police barracks in Augusta for processing before being lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. Kenneth Wilkins was charged with aiding in the distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. He remains incarcerated at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail with no 10% option. Joseph Selobyt was charged with six separate counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute. He remains incarcerated at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail with no 10% option. On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, members of the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force along with Sussex County Sheriff’s officers conducted additional investigations at Selobyt’s residence. During the course of that investigation, officers discovered additional quantities of cocaine along with packaging materials and other assorted drug paraphernalia. While at that location, officers also discovered Steven Pierce. Further investigation revealed Pierce to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine and a hypodermic syringe. Pierce was subsequently arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce, a fourth degree crime and possession of a hypodermic needle for an unlawful purpose, a disorderly persons offense. Pierce was issued summonses for the above offenses, given a future court date to appear in Frankford Township Municipal Court, and released on his own recognizance. Upon the discovery of the additional cocaine and packaging materials in his residence, Joseph Selobyt was also charged with maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility. He remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000 bail with no 10% option.

Directions/Map Sussex County Judicial Center 43-47 High Street Newton, NJ 07860 From Northern NJ Take Route 80 West to Exit 25 (Route 206 North). Stay on Route 206 North for approximately 11 miles, to Newton. Route 206 North turns into Main Street as you approach downtown Newton. Take Main Street to the end. Turn left at the traffic light onto Spring Street (the square is on the left). From Spring Street, turn left onto High Street. You will see the Sussex County Judicial Center on your right. From Trenton and Southern NJ Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 127 (Route 287 North). From Route 287 North, take Exit 22B (Route 206 North). Proceed with step 2 from the Northern NJ directions above. From Southwest NJ Take the New Jersey Turnpike North to Exit 10 (Route 287 North). From Route 287 North, take Exit 22B (Route 206 North). Proceed with step 2 from the Northern NJ directions above. Parking for the Sussex County Judicial Center Free parking is available at the county indoor parking deck which is adjacent to the courthouse.

Links Sussex County Links Sussex County Official Website Sussex County Prosecutor's Office Morris/Sussex Vicinage Police Department Web Site New Jersey State Police Andover Township Police Department Byram Police Department Hamburg Police Department Hardyston Police Depart Hopatcong Police Department Newton Police Department Ogdensburg Police Department New Jersey Links State of New Jersey Web Site New Jersey Judiciary’s Jury Duty Information New Jersey Crime Statistics New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry New Jersey Dept. of Corrections New Jersey Dept. of Corrections Offender Search New Jersey’s AMBER Alert Plan New Jersey Press Association Online Public Notices

Arrested: David Brunt, age 24, of Byram and Chaine D. Brantley, age 33, of Franklin, NJ. < Back Multiple arrests made in probation department Arrested: David Brunt, age 24, of Byram and Chaine D. Brantley, age 33, of Franklin, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, January 22, 2013, while assigned to the Sussex County Probation Department, Sheriff’s Officer John Freykar was advised by probation staff that an arrest warrant had been issued for David Brunt. Sheriff’s Officer Freykar located Brunt, placed him under arrest and transported him to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without incident. Also in the probation department, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered Chaine Brantley. Further investigation revealed the existence of two outstanding municipal court warrants issued for Brantley. Sheriff’s Officer Cahill immediately placed her under arrest and processed her before turning her over to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections for transport to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. David Brunt remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail. Chaine Brantley was provided with future dates to appear in Trenton and Pemberton municipal courts and released on her own recognizance.

< Back The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled for an assessment as part of its program to achieve accreditation by verifying that it meets recognized professional best practices. Previous Next The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled for an assessment as part of its program to achieve accreditation by verifying that it meets recognized professional best practices. Administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with best practice standards in five basic areas: the administrative function, the personnel function, the operations function, the investigative function, and the arrestee/detainee function. Agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 973-579-0850 ext. 2107 on Thursday, January 22, 2026 between the hours of 10:00AM and 11:00AM. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team. Email comments can be sent to the Sheriff’s Office at ccentrelli@sussexcountysheriff.com . Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Sheriff’s Officer Christopher Centrelli at 973-579-0850 ext. 2552 for more information. Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J Delgado, Ed.S Accreditation Program Director, hdelgado@njsacop.org , or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chief’s of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

Project Lifesaver Are you a caregiver for an adult or child who has a propensity to wander? The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Project Lifesaver in an effort to provide enhanced support and assistance to Sussex County residents who are primary caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, Down syndrome or related cognitive disorders. Project Lifesaver utilizes SafetyNet by LoJack, a tracking system which assists law enforcement in quickly locating individuals who have wandered. Implemented nationwide by more than one thousand agencies, the Project Lifesaver program has reduced search time from days down to an average of thirty minutes with no serious injuries or fatalities reported. How does Project Lifesaver work? Your loved one wears a battery-operated waterproof transmitter bracelet on his/her wrist or ankle. The transmitter emits a signal that sheriff’s officers can track in the event that someone goes missing. Trained sheriff’s officers will be sent to your residence monthly to change the battery and check that the transmitter is functioning properly. In addition, the caregiver will be required to check the transmitter’s battery at least once per day with a special tester that will be provided. Who is eligible? Adults and children who wander or may wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders are all eligible for Project Lifesaver. The prospective client must be a resident of Sussex County, must have a 24-hour caregiver and must be willing to wear the transmitter at all times. What is the cost? The initial set up fee which includes all the necessary equipment is $275.00 and the monthly maintenance fee is $10.00. At this time, all fees are waived and the program is being provided to citizens at no charge. How do we enroll? Download and complete our enrollment package which consists of an instruction sheet, detailed application and contract. The latter two documents should be filled out by the caregiver and returned to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office will then review the application and once approved, you will be contacted to schedule a date and time for a program administrator to meet with you and your family. At that meeting, the contract will be signed, the bracelet will be installed and the caregiver will receive instruction about the equipment and how to test it daily. Download our Project Lifesaver Enrollment Package In order to utilize this form, you will need the freely available Adobe Reader software installed on your computer, version 7 or higher. This is a “fillable form” which may be filled out on your computer and saved to your hard drive. Once you have completed it, you then have the ability to return it to us as an e-mail attachment or print it out and return it via postal mail. Questions? For more information, contact a program administrator at 973.579.0850, ext. 2507, by fax at 973.579.0870 or by e-mail .

Arrested: Jamie L. Zita, age 26, of Dingmans Ferry, PA. < Back Dingmans Ferry woman arrested for DWI in Frankford Township Arrested: Jamie L. Zita, age 26, of Dingmans Ferry, PA. Previous Next On Saturday, August 31, 2013, while assigned to countywide DWI enforcement as part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” statewide DWI campaign, Sheriff’s Officer Scott Haggerty observed a dark colored Honda Civic, operated by Jamie L. Zita, driving in excess of the posted speed limit on CR 655 in Frankford Township. Officer Haggerty pulled the vehicle over and spoke with Ms. Zita. After speaking with her and observing her attempt to perform several sobriety tests, Officer Haggerty determined Zita to be impaired. She was immediately arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Zita was charged with the following offenses: driving while intoxicated, speeding, reckless driving and failure to exhibit proof of valid insurance. She was given a future date to appear in Frankford Township Municipal Court and released to the care of a responsible person. Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling assisted in the arrest.

Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce a new program being offered to senior citizens in our county. < Back New TRIAD senior wristband program debuts Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce a new program being offered to senior citizens in our county. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce a new program being offered to senior citizens in our county. Upon request, Sussex County TRIAD will now provide black and gold silicone wristbands to every senior citizen of Sussex County free of charge. The bands are engraved with “SC Sheriff 973-579-0888” and a registration number. That number will be used to register all participating senior citizens with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office should the senior citizen be unable to communicate with emergency personnel. The TRIAD organization will obtain and keep secure the following from the senior citizen: name, address, phone number, emergency contact persons and the senior’s physician information. This information will be available to assist any police, fire and EMS agency by calling the telephone number on the band and giving the dispatcher the registration number. This will assist any first responder in identifying a senior citizen in need who may be unable to communicate with the responder. Several businesses and individual donors have come forward to sponsor the cost of the program. The successful implementation of this program was made possible, in large part, thanks to the generous donations of the following Sussex County businesses: The Senior Quality of Life Foundation (SEQUAL) Smith-McCracken Funeral Home The Morville Agency, a Division of Bollinger Insurance Illiff-Ruggiero Funeral Home The Mitchell Agency If you are interested in learning more about the TRIAD program or are interested in sponsoring the wristband program, please contact Hilary Manser at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 973.579.0850, ext. 2114. From l to r: Louis R. Ruggiero, CEO Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home and SEQUAL trustee; Maryann Fox, SEQUAL trustee; Tom Caines, SEQUAL president and trustee; Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada; Maryanne Klenke, SEQUAL trustee; Lorraine Hentz, SEQUAL trustee; Cindy Peterson, SEQUAL treasurer and trustee; and Denise Minimi, SEQUAL secretary and trustee.

OPRA New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) provides procedures for the public (the “requestor”) to review or copy government records. The following is a summary of these procedures and guidelines for requesting records. OPRA applies to requests for records, not requests for isolated facts therefore, a requestor must determine which records he or she wishes to see or copy. The requestor must then file a records request with the Custodian of Records. This is accomplished by completing a form available at the sheriff’s office. For your convenience, we have also made the form available below. Fees (payable by cash, check or money order): Letter size pages: $0.05 per page Legal size pages: $0.07 per page Other materials (CD, DVD, etc.): actual cost You may be required to provide a deposit against costs for reproducing documents when a request for copies exceeds $25.00. The custodian will contact you and advise you of any deposit requirements. Some government records are not available for public inspection or copying. A list of the two dozen specific types of records that are exempt from disclosure may be viewed at the state’s OPRA web site . Under OPRA, a custodian must deny access to a person who has been convicted of an indictable offense in the United States, and who is seeking government records containing personal information pertaining to the person’s victim or the victim’s family. You may be denied access to a government record if your request would substantially disrupt operations and the custodian is unable to reach a reasonable solution with you. If the sheriff’s office is unable to comply with your request for access to a government record, the custodian will indicate the reasons for denial on the request form or other written correspondence and send you a signed and dated copy. Download the Open Public Records Act Request form To view and complete the form, you will need the freely available Adobe Reader software installed on your computer, version 7 or higher. This fillable form may be filled out on your computer and saved to your hard drive and/or printed out. The completed form must be returned to: Undersheriff Matthew Avenatti, Custodian of Records Sussex County Sheriff’s Office 39 High Street Newton, NJ 07860 FAX: 973.579.7884 E-Mail: OPRA@sussexcountysheriff.com

Sheriff Strada announces the retirement of the 23-year veteran. < Back Sergeant Paul Reiher retires from Bureau of Corrections Sheriff Strada announces the retirement of the 23-year veteran. Previous Next Sheriff Strada announced the retirement of Sergeant Paul Reiher of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections last week. A 1980 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School, Sgt. Reiher enlisted in the United States Army following graduation. During his 10 years of military service, he received three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Southwest Asia Service Ribbons with Bronze Stars, four overseas ribbons, the Air Assault Badge, and the National Defense Medal. Upon completing his enlistment in December of 1991, Sgt. Reiher left the Army and, shortly after, began his law enforcement career as a Sussex County corrections officer in 1993. A 23-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, throughout his career, Sgt. Reiher received numerous certifications from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Sussex County Police Chiefs Association, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the State of New Jersey, the Passaic County Police Academy, Rutgers University, Sussex County Community College, the Morris County Police Academy and the NJ State Department of Corrections. In addition to receiving multiple letters of commendation during the course of his career, and the Sheriff’s Achievement Award in 2008, Sgt. Reiher was most recently presented with the Lifesaving Award in October 2015 for his actions during a medical emergency at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. Sgt. Reiher is a 1994 graduate of the 141st class of the New Jersey State Department of Corrections Corrections Officer Training Academy, the Passaic County Police Academy’s Supervision of Police Personnel Class, and the Police Supervision Training Program sponsored by Rutgers University. Sheriff Strada congratulates Sgt. Reiher on his retirement and wishes him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.

Communications Center Director: Eric Muller The Sussex County Sheriff’s Communications Center came online in 1990 as a two dispatch position center and has evolved over the years to become a ten dispatch position, capable of serving as a single point Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all of Sussex County. Now located on county-owned property in Frankford Township, the facility answered its first 9-1-1 call on December 16, 2014 at 2:24 p.m. reporting a residential smoke condition in Hampton Township. The communications center provides regular dispatch services for the sheriff’s office and serves as a PSAP for enhanced 911 calls. The center currently serves thirteen local municipalities with 911 answering/emergency dispatch service: Branchville Borough Byram Township Frankford Township Fredon Township Green Township Hampton Township Lafayette Township Montague Township Sandyston Township Stillwater Township Sussex Borough Walpack Township Wantage Township HISTORY OF THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER The Sussex County Sheriff’s Communications Center came online in 1990 to facilitate coordination of the various duties and responsibilities of sheriff’s personnel and to improve measures to ensure the safety of its members. The two dispatch position center supported the sheriff’s officers in carrying out their official tasks daily and during the evening hours. Some of those measures included establishing regular radio communications between: sheriff’s officers and corrections personnel moving inmates to and from court appearances sheriff’s officers in the field serving various civil processes sheriff’s officers in the field serving domestic violence restraining orders and carrying out court ordered evictions sheriff’s personnel and other agencies delivering mutual aid assistance when requested In 1995, the communications center began to staff and run the operation continuously, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The new operation consolidated the sheriff’s dispatch and public works dispatch operations as an effort to more efficiently manage the responsibilities involving emergencies supported by county based services. It also relieved the county corrections facility, the only 24-hour manned operation, from duties outside the scope of normal corrections responsibilities. The center was staffed with 5 dispatchers per day (2 day shift, 2 afternoon, 1 midnight) and those additional tasks included but not were not limited to: Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office Sussex County Fire Marshal Sussex County HazMat Team Sussex County Medical Examiner’s Office Sussex County Department of Public Works Sussex County Facilities Management Sussex County Health Department Sussex County Office of Emergency Management With the new millennium upon us, the state of New Jersey continued to encourage the consolidation of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the interests of efficiency and economy. There were also technology changes being introduced. The Next Generation 911 (NG9-1-1) was announced as the replacement to the current Enhanced 9-1-1 system and discussions were held relating to the financial impacts to the PSAPs. Consolidation studies funded by the state by RCC Consultants (2000) and the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development/Bloustein School/Rutgers (2006) both concluded with recommendations to consolidate PSAPs for the purpose of improved service and economy. [New Jersey 911 Consolidation Study, October 2006] In April 2006 the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded a contract to RCC Associates to conduct a PSAP consolidation feasibility study for Sussex County. The study focused on analyzing the benefits of consolidating the six PSAPs in Sussex County into one or more countywide PSAPs. RCC delivered its findings and recommendations in a report to the freeholder board in June 2007 recommending consolidation to a single PSAP. In January 2008, the freeholders established the Sussex County 9-1-1 Telecommunications Working Group (TWG) to further the conclusions drawn from the RCC study and to gauge the public interest and support in consolidating the PSAPs into one center. [2008 freeholder resolution establishing TWG] In August 2008 the county received a grant through the New Jersey Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services in the amount of $220,000.00 for the “PSAP Consolidation to Regionalization Project.” [Sussex County 2008 news article] Using that grant, the freeholders commissioned Kimball & Associates in February 2009 to expand upon the previous consolidation studies and recommendations, and develop guidance and support for the planning and implementation of a countywide consolidated PSAP. The planning guide for PSAP consolidation was delivered to the county freeholder board in February 2010. [Kimball & Associates Consolidation Planning Guide] In a report by the TWG, a motion was made and unanimously carried that “The Sussex County Telecommunications Working Group recommends to the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders the findings of the report of L. Robert Kimball and Associates dated February 2010 and specifically recommends the consolidation of the six current public safety answering points into one county-administered and operated central 9-1-1 center in all respects.” [2010 TWG recommendation] In 2012, the sheriff and the freeholders broke ground on the construction of a ten position stand-alone communications center on county owned property in Frankford Township. The project sought to consolidate an ongoing sheriff’s capital project plan to refurbish the existing 20-year old sheriff’s dispatch center with the TWG recommendations, local emergency service interests and resolution support by officials from local municipalities to consolidate local emergency dispatch services. [Sandyston Township solution] This dispatch center was purposely designed to continue supporting the regular duties and responsibilities of the sheriff’s office. It would also be capable of answering emergency 911 calls and dispatching emergency services for the entire county. [County fire chiefs association letter] FACILITIES The Sussex County Sheriff’s Communications Center was designed and constructed to be able to serve as a single point Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) serving all of Sussex County. The center was built as an addition to the existing emergency operating center in Frankford Township to be in compliance with federal and state construction standards, which include minimizing the potential for threats from natural or human sources. The center is located on a secured site and is continuously monitored through alarms systems and video surveillance. Ten 911 console positions are located on the main communications floor. Positions are staffed to meet the demands of the services that are requested, but a minimum of 2 public safety telecommunicators (PST) are staffed continuously. All data, radio, telephone and other electronic systems are supported by a number of robust redundancy measures to ensure the services can continued to be provided when normal service resources are interrupted. By original design, the communications center is supported by a backup facility, often referred to as a “hot site.” The backup site serves as a redundant communications site to the center located in Frankford Township. Real time synchronization between the two sites is used to completely mirror the environment of the main communications site in Frankford using wide area network links and specialized software. In the event of a disruption to the main Frankford site, personnel can relocate to this hot site and resume operations with minimal downtime. In lessons learned from 9/11, this hot site provides for complete redundant emergency communications capabilities from a geographically different location. The communications center provides reliable professional services, supported by a robust communications plan that provides the following capabilities: Facility designed and constructed to be earthquake and hurricane proof (NENA standard). Adjacent to fully functioning emergency operations center with 14 fully functional emergency services activation positions. Two redundant emergency building power generators, each using a different fuel source—diesel and natural gas. In addition to generator support, UPS battery backup on all critical electronic components. 911 communications center designed and built with ten individual dispatch positions, able to accommodate the entire county 911 call taking and dispatching needs. “Hot” backup remote center at sheriff’s office with three individual dispatch positions that mirror those at the main 911 communication site. Equipped with eight 911 trunks directed between the main 911 communications site and the hot backup site, effectively eliminating a single point of failure. 911 systems supported by three geo-diverse servers—two at the main 911 center in the event one server fails and the third located at the sheriff’s office hot backup site in the event the main 911 communications center experiences a total 911 server failure. Microwave link from sheriff’s office hot backup site to the main 911 communications center to ensure clear communication between the two sites, supported with a robust backup Ethernet fiber connection. Back up battery system and emergency generators at all microwave sights for power outages. Use of eight tower sites throughout the county with numerous backup features with each frequency utilized. Back up UHF/VHF radio in the event of a primary radio failure. Redundant network switches to insure continued data connectivity in the event a failure. Access/use of countywide GIS data for most accurate location and efficient dispatch of calls. Real time monitoring of critical data services to allow for and provide immediate remediation. Real time monitoring of environmental conditions in server and radio rooms to allow for and provide immediate remediation. Redundant HVAC systems in server rooms to insure appropriate environmental conditions for electronics. Currently serving 13 municipal clients as a 911 Public Safety Answering and Dispatch Point. Provides emergency medical dispatch protocols to callers. Provides Text to 9-1-1 service. Provides AVL tracking for sheriff and both paid and volunteer fire and EMS organizations. Robust computer automated dispatch system with mapping to pinpoint specific locations of emergencies to aid in response by emergency first responders. CAD system is fully replicated to a disaster recovery server every 2 hours. Network time synchronization from a satellite to insure accurate time stamping across all resources. EMAG service, which gives our paging function used by local emergency service personnel priority access to the Verizon texting network. Robust records management system able to provide clients with end detailed call reports. NENA compliance—a minimum of two telecommunicators on duty at all times, none of whom are accessible to the public or assigned clerk duties. SERVICES Primary Responsibilities Answer emergency telephone calls: Screen callers to verify emergency location and situation Use resources to locate callers that do not respond Provide pre-arrival emergency instructions when applicable Dispatch and track emergency resources Enter and verify all necessary data into CAD: Contact information, addresses Responding resources; dispatch, arrival and clearing times Initial report/request information by callers Special requests, contacts, notifications Answer administrative calls for the sheriff’s office and the communications center and either resolve the inquiry or transfer callers to the proper destination. Monitor radio communications from sheriff’s officers: Track location/status of officers engaged in assignments, traffic stops, special details Conduct computer inquiries to vehicle ownership, driver status, warrants, criminal histories Track and monitor prisoner transports by sheriff’s/corrections personnel Additional Responsibilities Monitor 50+ camera sites at the county judicial complex, corrections center, emergency operating center/911 center and sheriff’s main office Receive requests, dispatch resources and make notifications involving the Sheriff’s Office Special Services Receive notifications and requests related to other public safety programs sponsored and managed by the sheriff’s office Receive requests and arrange for afterhours/weekend call out assignments involving county personnel 911 Answering All 911 calls are answered by specially trained public safety telecommunicators (PSTs). This specialized training includes certification as a basic 911 telecommunicator by satisfactorily completing a course of instruction relating to: enhanced 911 systems and operating procedures interpersonal communications overview of the EMS function overview of the fire function overview of the police function public safety records systems public safety telecommunications systems radio broadcasting rules and procedures telecommunicator role in public safety telecommunicators legal issues telephone techniques All PSAPs in New Jersey are required to use the New Jersey Emergency Medical Dispatch Guidecards. These guidecards help the PST quickly assess the critical points of a particular situation and the level of emergency service response necessary. They also guide a PST in providing medical instructions to a caller involving many different types of medical emergencies. Those instructions may often save lives or prevent a situation from becoming worse. Personnel from this PSAP have managed thousands of calls involving cardiac, stroke, diabetic, fall, trauma, childbirth, accident, fires and other emergencies. We see the value in providing this type of intervention. TEXT TO 9-1-1 The Sussex County Sheriff’s Communications Center accepts 9-1-1 emergency calls via text (SMS) message from within every municipality in Sussex County. Texting provides a method for individuals to be able to contact a 9-1-1 center for help in situations where their safety could be in jeopardy if they were to be heard speaking. Text to 9-1-1 also provides individuals with special needs or who may not be able to speak, access to emergency services when they need help or want to report an emergency. When to send a text to 9-1-1: When you have an emergency that requires assistance from police, fire or EMS. If you have a speech or hearing impairment, you can send a text to 9-1-1 using a cell phone or other device. It is recommended that you inform 9-1-1 that you are speech or hearing impaired so that they can inform the responders. If speaking may cause you harm, such as a break-in or domestic violence situation. Remember to silence your phone so that the sound of 9-1-1 replying does not give you away. Peer pressure. You are with a group and some of the members are doing something dangerous or illegal. If you cannot make a voice call with your cell phone because there is no service you may be able to get data service to send a text message. How to send a text to 9-1-1: Open the message app on your phone or wireless device. In "To" type "911" (there is no need to add "-"). In the message field, type the location, (address and municipality) and a brief description of the problem. Then press "SEND. Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker. Text in simple words, do not use abbreviations. Keep text messages brief and concise. Messages should be sent in English. If this is not possible a voice call should be made to allow use of translation services for voice calls. Entering 911 as the name of the person one wishes to communicate with, followed by a message and "send" will alert a dispatcher at the communications center that a new call has been received. A normal exchange of messages will follow in determining the proper response. All devices sending text messages are plotted on a map as soon as they are acknowledged by the dispatcher. While text to 9-1-1 offers an additional means to contact emergency services, it is important to understand that voice communication is always preferred as the best form of communication. Voice communications allow for quicker exchange of important information and a greater efficiency in getting help to a particular situation. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Appointments to the position of Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) are made as the need arises. All appointments are made in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service rules and regulations. To be a successful PST, a candidate must be competent in many of the inter-related duties and responsibilities associated with a 911 communications center. It is not a career to be taken lightly and those who are successful are typically found to be highly motivated with above average interpersonal skills, good reasoning and judgement, and the ability to multitask. In order to meet the demands of rapid data entry, candidates should be able to keystroke at a rate of 40 words per minute. Additionally, PSTs must be at least 18 years of age and pass an extensive background investigation. In order to serve in this position, a PST must successfully complete the following certification courses, often advertised and offered through local emergency service organizations or local PSAPs: 40-hour Basic Telecommunicator/Communications Officer 32-hour Emergency Medical Dispatcher 8-hour CPR certification Individuals interested in applying to serve as a PST are encouraged to complete and submit the Sussex County Employment Application, available at the Sussex County website .