Prepare, plan and stay informed this storm season

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

Today is June 1st, the official start of Hurricane Season. The NJOEM, the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the NJ Department of Health issued preparedness and safety reminders this week.
http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/media/pdf/pr053012_hurricaneprepare.pdf

 

 

Prepare, plan and stay informed
this storm season

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FREEHOLD, NJ – The start of summer means also means hurricane season is revving up. The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) wants residents to be ready for storms and other emergencies before they hit.
“Last year’s Hurricane Irene drove home the idea of hurricane preparedness,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county’s Sheriff’s Office and OEM. “Taking the basic steps now means you will be ready for virtually any big weather event or other disaster that may affect Monmouth County.”
“Preparing for the worst makes dealing with it that much easier,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “Every resident needs to prepare, plan and stay informed”

Prepare –  Assemble a Kit of Emergency Supplies – Batteries, flashlight, radio, first-aid kit,  medications, food and water to last three or more days, can opener, cooking tools, toiletries.

Plan – Create an Emergency Plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations.

Stay Informed – Listen to local radio and television for the latest information on storms and other emergencies. Review what warning sirens are used in your community to alert residents of major emergencies.

“The likelihood that you and your family will survive a nor’easter, hurricane or other emergency depends on the preparations that you make now,” Golden said.
Burry also recommends that residents take two additional steps. “To bring your readiness to the next level you should prepare your finances and consider making yourself available to help your neighbors in an emergency,” she said.

Financial Preparedness – Consider your insurance and financial needs in the event of a disaster. Also, take time to prepare a household inventory. If an evacuation is necessary, be sure to have cash or credit cards at your disposal.

Consider joining the Citizen Corps – Join others in you community who are ready to provide critical support to first responders and to fellow residents during emergencies.

Undergoing citizen corps training is a great way to feel empowered in the event of any emergency. The county has two primary programs for you to get involved:

Citizen Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is a program that trains community members to provide volunteer support to local emergency responders during community incidents and disasters. For more information, contact the county OEM  at 732-431-7400 or log onto the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.

Medical Reserve Corps, or MRC, is also a community-based volunteer program that engages medical, public health and other civilian volunteers to strengthen public health and improve emergency preparedness and response. For more information, contact the county Health Department at 732-431-7456 or log onto the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.

Additional information about storm and disaster preparations is available on the county’s Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.
The county OEM works closely with federal, state and local partners to prepare for virtually all hazards, natural or manmade, that could affect New Jersey’s families, communities and businesses.

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Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries 
• First aid kit 
• Whistle to signal for help 
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place 
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation 
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities 
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) 
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

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