WESTFIELD -- Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-07) announced Tuesday that the House of Representatives passed legislation last week that includes Lance’s request for $500,000 for enhancements to Union County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This federal investment would help the County enhance its emergency operations center through upgraded technologies and improved communications equipment.

Lance made the announcement during a visit to the Union County EOC and in front of scores of law enforcement and community leaders taking part in a Threat and Risk Assessment program conducted at the EOC on July 1.

“Union County emergency operations personnel do an outstanding job keeping our citizen safe and responding to emergencies,” said Lance. “It’s critical they have the right resources they need to prepare for and respond emergencies. This federal investment will go a long way toward that goal.”

“These enhancements will allow us to monitor emergency activities more effectively during an activation of the Union County EOC,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These important funds will allow us the capability to serve as a back-up communications center to Union County Fire Mutual Aid and any municipality that needs to temporarily relocate operations for any reason. We appreciate Congressman Lance’s efforts and support of our project.”

According to Union County officials, the funds would expand the capabilities of the Union County Emergency Operations Center to connect with each municipal police, fire and emergency managements office, and also to serve as a redundant center to Union County Fire Mutual Aid and all 2 municipal departments during an emergency. The project includes the purchase of two new banks of radios to expand communications, three additional consoles to outfit each station, four new computers for each position, a new LCD monitor, and new FCC licensing for each radio frequency.

Also included in the project are minor renovations to accommodate these new capabilities, a backup generator and training for the Communications Center personnel on the modernized equipment.

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