As part of $118,000 in funding provided by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services' Social Services Block Grant, New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd today presented 21 County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coordinators with portable radios to ensure 24/7 communication when landline and cell phone systems fail.

"September is National Preparedness Month, and we want our emergency responders to have the resources they need to respond to public health emergencies," said Commissioner O'Dowd. "We are making these radios available to ensure that counties can communicate with residents, hospitals and nursing homes within their borders as fast as possible in an emergency."

Currently, each of the state's 21 counties has one hand-held, two-way, walkie-talkie radio that is linked into the statewide 800 MHz radio system. A second 800 MHz radio in each county will enhance communication with other counties, the DOH and the New Jersey State Police.