With the new school year about to begin, Gov. Phil Murphy has announced that New Jersey will use $6.5 million in federal aid to collect and digitize school blueprints for first responders. Announced.
American Rescue Plan funds help state Homeland Security and state police map nearly 1,500 public and private schools. Another 1,500 schools already have access to such digital graphics, according to the administration.
“You can’t expect the police officers and firefighters and emergency medical professionals who rush to the school to know where they’re going,” Murphy said.
Officials say maps are essential for responding to emergencies in unfamiliar environments for police and other responders.
“When school floor plans are outdated, inaccurate, or inaccessible to first responders, they can face additional challenges,” said Laurie Dolan, director of the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security. I have.
The governor has said an audit will need to be conducted to see which schools have not submitted renderings.He says that could take a year or more.
Associated Press Communication Services contributed to this report.