Ruppersberger and Mikulski to Announce Funding for Critical Baltimore County 911 Center Upgrade

(Towson, MD)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) will join Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr. to announce federal funding for a major upgrade to Baltimore County’s 911 Central Communication Center. The center, currently located in the basement of the county circuit courthouse, handles more than 900,000 calls for help each year.

The existing center is 20 years old and was not designed for modern security guidelines. The center is being renovated with new, digital equipment that will expand communications capabilities in emergency situations across the county and in the region. The total cost of the project is $14 million.

Congressman Ruppersberger and Senator Mikulski will be joined by Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith for the announcement on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Media is invited to attend a tour of Baltimore County’s existing 911 dispatch center after the announcement.

Who:     Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)
              Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
              Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (D) 
              Robert Stradling, Director, Office of Information Technology, Baltimore County

What:    Congressman Ruppersberger to Announce Funding for 911 Center  Upgrade

When:   Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

Where:  Baltimore County 911 Central Communications Center
               400 Washington Ave
               Towson, MD 21204

Special instructions for press: Please enter the lobby of the Old Courthouse (400 Washington Avenue). Someone will be there to escort you to the press conference location at the 911 Training Center. A tour of the existing 911 Call Center, which is a brief walk from the press conference location, will follow. Press will be able to shoot B-roll.
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