The
Communications Division of the Madison Police Department is a 24 hour/ 7
day a week operation that serves as the central answering point for all
9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service requests from the residents
and visitors in the Borough of Madison.
Non-emergency and routine calls are received on the regular ten
digit line, (973) 593-3000. Emergency calls should always be placed to
9-1-1 so that they are received in on the Enhanced 9-1-1 system. When
these calls are received, the caller's name, address and phone number
are displayed on a screen.
9-1-1
calls placed on a cell phone are routed to the nearest central answering
point where the communications tower the cell phone is utilizing is
located. 9-1-1 calls via
cell phones are more likely to go to a surrounding police department
(Florham Park, Chatham, Morris Township, Summit, Millburn) even if the
emergency is occurring in Madison.
It is essential to first establish where the emergency you are
reporting is taking place.
Communications
is one of the most important services within the Police Department.
The Desk Officer is responsible for maintaining the essential
information link between the public and the police officers in the
field.
When
dialing 9-1-1 or reporting an emergency on (973) 593-3000 please
remember the following:
A
false "911" call is a violation of the New Jersey Criminal
Code, 2C:33-3.
-
9-1-1 is for
emergencies only, however if 9-1-1 is dialed on error stay on the
line and advise the communications officer of the misdial.
-
Always confirm
with the communications officer the specific address of the call.
The call may not be in the same proximity of the caller.
-
Advise the
communications officer the nature of the call.
‘POLICE – FIRE –
MEDICAL’ emergency.
-
If the call is
for medical assistance, do not hang up with the communications
officer. Stay on the
line so pre-arrival medical assistance can be conducted over the
telephone prior to arrival of the first emergency units.
-
If the call is
for a police emergency, remember to be a good witness.
Do not be confrontational with robbers or thieves.
Get a good description of the actor/actors, a clothing
description, a vehicle description, and a direction of travel.
-
If the call is
for a house fire, advise the communications officer the location and
extent of the fire ie:
“There is a fire on the third floor, apartment 3-G”.
Advise the communications officer if everyone has exited the
structure or if there still is anyone inside.
Pertinent information will be forward to Madison Fire
Department.
-
No matter what
the emergency, try to remain calm and talk slow to the
communications officer. The Madison Police Department responsible
for maintaining the Emergency Management Program within the Borough,
involving all hazardous materials and response to natural disasters.
After
4:00 p.m. and on weekends, the police communication desk handles all
calls for emergency assistance in the Borough, including Water,
Electric, Sewer
