Get Ready for Hurricane Season in the Jersey Shore
Submitted by admin on September 1, 2010 – 4:56 am
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As summer winds down and hurricane season revs up, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) wants residents to be ready for storms and other emergencies.
“Taking some basics steps now means you will be ready for virtually any big weather event or other disaster that may affect Monmouth County,” said Glenn Mason, the county’s OEM coordinator. “Every resident should 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.
“Preparing for the worst makes dealing with it that much easier,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the county’s OEM . “The likelihood that you and your family will survive a nor’easter, hurricane or other emergency depends on the preparations that you make now.”
Mason 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,” Mason 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.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.
Additional information about storm and disaster preparations are available on the county’s Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.
