| |Staff Directory| OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Dominic Cicio, Coordinator Telephone (732) 721-5600 Ext. 3070, 3071
The Office of Emergency Management provides protection from all hazards for the citizens, properties and governments of the United States as part of that national plan on a local level. Old Bridge received State approval of our emergency operations plan in 1992. | Family Disaster Plan | | A Parents Guide | | Family Preparedness Guide |
| Chemical Emergency Plan | | Fire - Getting Prepared | | Emergency Phone Number |
| Floods - Getting Prepared | | Winter Storms & Extreme Cold | | Recovering from Emergency |
| "What is SARS?" |
PREPAREDNESS Planning, training and coordination is necessary to respond to an emergency or disaster. OEM coordinates the many responding agencies and various support groups. Old Bridge works with our First Aid Squads, Fire and Police Departments to run drills and test our emergency operations plan.
MITIGATION We know we cannot control natural disasters, but there are things that can be done to minimize the damage to property. Most people remember the damage in Florida from Hurricane Andrew. The Federal Emergency Management Agency found that property damage could have been reduced had the building code required a larger size nail to secure roofs. State building codes requiring smoke alarms is an example of mitigation.
RESPONSE When a disaster, whether natural or technological occurs, OEM works in an advisory and supporting role to coordinate the response and interagency communications with Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services. Such support includes activation of auxiliary police, evacuation, setting up shelters and obtaining outside help from county and state agencies.
RECOVERY
OEM is a team effort. It has responded to numerous disasters and recovered thousands of dollars from FEMA and the State of New Jersey. For more information contact our emergency operations center at 732-721-5600 ext. 3070, 3071, or 3072 or write to us at eoc@oldbridge.com
INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN Should the need for any Red Alert ever be declared, it will be broadcast on TV14 immediately. This is not a new procedure but has been part of our Emergency Operations plan for many years. Our emergency plans were developed for all hazards. These plans are reviewed and tested periodically. We also perform a hazard analysis on a regular basis to determine and prepare for the most vulnerable type of emergent threat to our community. Our local emergency planning committee meets monthly and sponsors exercises on a regular basis. Our entire school district has had crisis management plans and has practiced their plan for the past two years. The Office of Emergency Management and the Old Bridge Police Department, as well as our Fire Districts and First Aid Squads, have physically participated with and updated our crisis management school plans. We are currently in an Orange Alert due to the actions being taken in Iraq. Although we are at heightened security as a result of the Iraq situation, we have absolutely no reason to expect any significant danger to our immediate community. Many residents have been confused concerning our National Alert System. Permit me to explain: Code Red or Red Alert is a site specific situation. If a code red ever had to be declared in Old Bridge or a part of Old Bridge, we will advise you of what to do. Different emergent situations require different measures. Please familiarize yourself with Shelter in Place. Thousands of copies have been distributed through the school system, as well as at homeowner's meetings throughout the Township.
What is a Travel Ban? A travel ban is where specific roadways are closed to permit ready and quick access to emergency vehicles. This has been done on a regular basis most notably during severe snowstorms. Essential personnel will, of course, be allowed provided they have the proper credentials. Again, this is a normal part of our Emergency Plan. This is also done when a serious motor vehicle accident occurs.
A Parent's Guide to Talking with Children about the War Children and youth often know more, worry about more and ask less than we realize. Children listen at times when we may not realize and they have questions they may not ask unless we provide the opportunity. This guide provides some ideas for bringing up difficult topics and helping you reassure your child. This is a "guide with ideas". There is no one "right way" to talk to your child. When you don't know how else to bring something up, state the obvious. Some suggestions for this might be: "There has been more on the news lately about the war with Iraq." Sometimes when that kind of news is on television, kids feel confused or concerned about what it means. "What kind of thoughts have you had?" "We received a letter from your teacher and it says they are helping you understand new procedures at school in case we have a terrorist attack. What are your classmates saying about this?" "A while back we had some national alerts and we changed to code orange. This kind of thing is new for our country so we don't always know what is means. What do you think it means?" or "What are kids saying about it?"
Speak in hopeful terms. There are several options here: "People high up in government are working on these complex issues and we're hoping they will make good decisions that help keep us safe." "Although we don't always know how we will cope with something, the most difficult part is often during periods of anticipation. Once we know what is actually going to unfold, we can start to put measures in place." "We'll get through this together. You don't have to figure this out alone. I'm here to support you and I want to hear your concerns." - Make it easy for kids to reveal their concerns to you;
- Be honest with your children;
- Limit or eliminate your child's viewing of television coverage;
- Differentiate between war and terrorism and help you child with realistic reassurances;
- Have faith in your child's ability to cope;
- Empower your child;
- Accept short-term regression;
- Remember the value of laughter and fun!
For more information on talking with your children, please visit 
Family Disaster Plan Keep these items ready in a portable container such as a covered trash container, a camping backpack or a duffle bag. You may only have a moments notice before you're told to evacuate. - Water in plastic containers
- Non-Perishable food, high energy food, vitamins
- First Aid supplies, first aid kit, non-prescription drugs
- Tools and Emergency Supplies - can opener, extra batteries, flashlights, battery operated radio, small tools, copies of important family documents
- Clothing and Bedding
- Special Items - baby supplies, mobility aids, medicine, copies of prescriptions, eyeglasses, toys and games for kids.
Show someone you care. Give a Disaster Supply Kit as a holiday gift. For more information on disaster planning, visit
Chemical Emergency Plan WHEN SHOULD YOU SHELTER IN PLACE? When instructed by emergency personnel or If you encounter a vapor cloud or an unusual odor, you should take steps to Shelter in Place
GO INSIDE
Stay calm, go inside and listen for the emergency information or evacuation announcements by fire or police departments. Prepare your shelter. CALL IN YOUR CHILDREN
Where they can be supervised. Call in your pets. Help the elderly or handicapped and give temporary shelter to pedestrians. DO NOT PICK UP YOUR CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL OR DAYCARE
School regulations ensure a swift, orderly response to an official call for evacuation or to Shelter in Place. The presence of parents searching for their children can only cause confusion and delays. It can also be dangerous for you and your children. Contact your school in advance so you know their procedures. HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOUR SHELTER?
Seal your house so contaminants cannot enter: Turn off fans, heating, cooling or ventilation systems. Close and lock windows and doors. Fully extinguish fires in the fireplace with water than close dampers. Close off non-essential rooms such as storage areas, laundry rooms and extra bedrooms. Seal gaps under doorways and windows with any available material (wet towels, duct tape, newspaper, etc.) Seals gaps around window and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting or aluminum wrap.
IF YOU ARE IN A CAR, SEAL UP BY CLOSING WINDOWS AND SHUTTING VENTS HOW WILL YOU BE NOTIFIED TO SHELTER IN PLACE IN OLD BRIDGE 1. Emergency Alert System (EAS) Tune to Radio/Television
Announcements concerning the emergency, specific evacuation procedures as well as all-clear signals will be broadcast by regional radio, television and cable stations. Monitor emergency alert system information on one of the EAS radio and Old Bridge TV 70 or Old Bridge Board of Education TV 71. 2. Route Alerting
(Pay attention to loudspeaker announcements) Emergency personnel may give you specific directions via loudspeaker or door-to-door contact. 3. VIA THE COMMUNICATOR
In time of emergency or disaster, you may receive a recorded telephone message informing you of what to do.
EMERGENCY TIPS Being inside can provide you with added protection from a hazardous materials release. Staying inside is safer than trying to outrun a release! You can take effective measures in the event of a hazardous chemicals incident. The Old Bridge Office of Emergency Management's goal is to provide useful steps to insure your safety and that of your family. Despite all safety precautions, it is possible that a chemical accident occurring anywhere in the area could create irritating or hazardous conditions for those people in close proximity. In case of a hazardous materials emergency, do not listen to rumors - tune into the radio or television to find out what actions you might need to take. Do not tie up telephones, cellular phones and/or emergency phone lines. Use the phone only when absolutely necessary. Emergency Services will need every available telephone line to initiate help and rescue operations.
For information about preparing for a disaster and Red Alert, visit one of these websites: US Department of Homeland Security
www.dhs.gov NJ Homeland Security
www.state.nj.us/njhomelandsecurity
Ready Campaign
www.ready.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov For Red Alert Information: American Red Cross
www.redcross.org |