County Communications Training Supervisor Michael Rodriguez.
Photo: Amy Holmes, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office
County connects 911 dispatchers with disability information in real time. By Jo Valenti, BSN, RN, Cumberland County Mental Health Advocate
In Cumberland County and elsewhere, a simple decision made before an emergency can make all the difference when seconds count. For individuals living with autism, dementia, epilepsy, mental illness, hearing loss, or other medical conditions and disabilities, communicating with first responders during a crisis can be difficult—and sometimes dangerous. Now, Cumberland County residents have a new way to help ensure police officers, firefighters, and EMTs arrive better informed and better prepared.
With this imitative, Cumberland County becomes the first county in the nation to fully integrate its 9-1-1 dispatch technology with the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities (National Public Safety A.I.D.) network.
The groundbreaking partnership, announced in May, brings together the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, the Cumberland County 9-1-1 Communications Center, and Online Policing Solutions, Inc. to improve emergency response for residents with disabilities, medical conditions, and behavioral health challenges. Every county 9-1-1 dispatcher is trained in how to use the new technology and is proud to help the community in this new way. Dispatchers say the technology provides valuable context that can help first responders communicate more effectively, tailor their response, and improve safety for everyone involved.
The integration allows dispatchers to instantly receive participant-provided information during an emergency call. When a resident enrolled in the National Public Safety A.I.D. network calls 9-1-1—or someone calls on their behalf—critical information about their disability, medical condition, communication needs, emergency contacts, and assistive devices is automatically available to dispatchers and can be relayed to responding police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
The result is a faster, safer, and more informed emergency response.
The innovative program builds upon Cumberland County’s “Special Needs Registry,” which was launched in 2021 by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office to improve interactions between first responders and vulnerable populations while reducing the potential for misunderstandings and unnecessary use of force. Since then, the initiative has grown into what is now known as the National Public Safety A.I.D. network, serving communities in 40 states.
Enrollment in National Public Safety A.I.D. is completely voluntary, free, and secure. Participants decide what information they wish to share, and the information is only made available to first responders during an emergency.
During enrollment, participants can provide emergency contact information for family members or caregivers, identify communication preferences, describe behaviors responders should know about, and list assistive devices such as hearing aids, communication devices, prosthetics, AngelSense devices, or Project Lifesaver transmitters.
“This collaboration demonstrates how technology and partnerships can transform public safety,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. “The primary goal of this effort is simple: increase health and safety by creating clearer communication.”
Rather than first responders arriving at a scene without any knowledge of an individual’s needs, disability awareness now begins much earlier—at the moment a 9-1-1 call is received. That advance information allows responders to better understand the situation before they arrive, helping them adapt their communication and response strategies to meet the individual’s needs.
County officials believe the program represents a significant step toward reimagining public safety through collaboration among law enforcement, emergency communications, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, disability advocates, and community organizations.
“This initiative is unique because residents themselves become active partners in public safety,” Webb-McRae said. “By voluntarily sharing information ahead of time, they are helping first responders provide safer, more effective assistance when it matters most.”
The National Public Safety A.I.D. initiative is part of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office’s broader Mental Health Working Group, referred to as CareConnect, which focuses on improving outcomes for individuals experiencing mental illness, behavioral health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other conditions that may affect interactions with first responders.
Brochures about the program are available through Inspira Health, the Cumberland County Department of Health, local police departments, and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Residents interested in enrolling or learning more about National Public Safety A.I.D. can visit the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office website at https://njccpo.gov/aid.
The Cumberland County Mental Health and Addictions Board actively promotes awareness of stigma and the need for public education regarding mental health and addiction. The Board meets monthly, and the public is invited to attend. Refer to the meeting schedule on the Cumberland County website for meeting dates.
The Board is also seeking new members. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and a resume to Melissa Niles, Cumberland County Human Services, 70 W. Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or melissani@cumberlandcountynj.gov
