TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey is using $6.5 million of federal funding to gather and digitize school blueprints for first responders, Gov.
Phil Murphy said Tuesday.The American Rescue Plan funds will help the state's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the New Jersey State Police devise maps for about 1,500 schools public and private schools.
An additional 1,500 schools already have such digital graphics available, Murphy's administration said.The maps are critical to help police and other responders react to emergencies in what could be unfamiliar environments."With the epidemic of gun violence reaching every part of our communities, including our schools, we offer our families not empty promises, but concrete investments in tools and resources that will keep our students safe," Murphy said in a statement. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and the educators who help our children achieve their full potential.
In order to protect our children and educators, we must equip our first responders with the most up-to-date 21st-century technology so that they can respond to emergencies without unnecessary delay."Last month, Murphy signed legislation into law requiring the state's nearly 600 school districts to set up threat assessment teams aimed at stemming any violence in schools.