The Andover Township Police Department operates a 9-1-1 Center that serves several municipalities for 9-1-1, Police Dispatch, Fire and Medical Dispatch, and general notifications. The 9-1-1 Center is an extremely vital part of the police department, as well as for the public safety of the community. 

Also known as a Public Safety Answering Point or "PSAP" the Communications Center operates an enhanced 9-1-1 system. This means that all 9-1-1 calls received at this PSAP are displayed to a computer screen. The information available to a dispatcher will typically include the name, address and telephone number of the owner of the property and a list of those emergency services. The dispatchers are trained to recognize different types of emergencies, the geography/municipal boundaries, and the ability to provide medical instructions via telephone. It is not uncommon for our dispatchers to walk a frantic caller through CPR instructions, or instruct a child 9-1-1 caller through checking on an ill family member.

 

The 9-1-1 center is staffed by 4 full time dispatchers, as well as 8+ part time dispatchers. Most of the police officers are also trained to work the 9-1-1 center which can provide extra manpower due to a large event. Inclement weather and larger public safety incidents can solicit the need for additional manpower. 

 

The dispatcher is critical in many police investigations, as the first batch of information can be obtained from the caller. Our dispatchers can often provide detailed and pertinent information to the responding officers, giving the officer a much better picture of the scene before they arrive. The 9-1-1 center is also tasked with maintaining officer safety and accountability, as well as providing updates to responding officers, fire officers, and medical personnel. 

 

 

 

 

Currently, the Andover Township Police Department provides direct dispatch services to:

 

• Andover Township Police Department

• Andover Township Fire Department

• Lakeland Emergency Squad (Andover Township and Andover Borough)

• Andover Borough Fire Department

• Andover Township DPW 

The Center also provides notifications on a regular basis to :

  

• New Jersey State Police

• Newton Police 

• Poison Control Center

• Wantage Animal Control

• Sussex County Sheriff's Office

• Atlantic Ambulance EMS 

• Saint Clare's EMS

• NJ REMS (MEDEVAC)

• Warren County Communications Center