Please patronize our sponsors. Ads with links are clickable.
For more information about Community Emergency Response Teams
(CERT)
Civil
Defense
Basic Idea
Overview
Practical Tips
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Reference Links
Basic
Idea
Be prepared for
a weeks disruption of basic services. General disruptions could be caused by storms
downing power lines, water main break, etc. Those prone to special circumstance such as
flooding [see ESRI/FEMA map] should make
preparations before such events occur. Local officials have contingency plans for
extradionary events such as industrial accidents, terrorist actions, etc.
Overview
The tragic events of
September 11, 2001 have made us all very aware of the necessity for adequate emergency
response capabilities. Police and Fire Departments are ready to serve and protect the
residents, businesses, and visitors.
The region has a well thought out
emergency management plan coordinated jointly by the local Police and Fire
Departments. The Department of Health, the Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the Department
of Public Works, and other agencies are involved and deploy staff and equipment as
necessary.
Because most emergencies
typically involve more than one town, the County of Bergen is responsible for coordinating
responses to crises. The Bergen County Emergency Management telephone number is
201-599-6210. The County of Bergen, State of New Jersey (State Police), and the FBI issue
emergency response orders and are in contact with the local Police and Fire
Departments. ######
Practical
Tips
Officials stress the fact that the odds are strong that an act of terrorism will not occur
in this area. However, since many of our residents work outside of town, taking the time
to plan for an emergency allows us to remain more calm and in control.
After a review of emergency
response material, the here are some suggestions for preparing for a general emergency -
including a terrorist attack - hit close to home:
- If you are at home please stay
there. Treat the situation seriously, but do not panic. Better communication can take
place when you and your neighbors stay calm.
- You should have a reliable
flashlight, candles, a portable radio or television with extra batteries in your home.
- Depending on your personal level
of comfort, you may want your pantry stocked with enough food for a week. Also, you may
want to keep a supply of bottled water and other essentials such as medicines, personal
hygiene items, extra blankets, empty garbage cans and bags on hand. Many residents have
pets and extra pet food and a leash should be part of their planning.
- While at home, residents should
stay current with news updates through AM/FM radio or television. The State and Federal
governments use these media outlets to communicate with the public.
- Devise a family and friends
contact system so that unnecessary strain isn't placed on communications lines. Contact
one or two people outside of our region to spread the word to the rest of your circle of
family and friends as to your condition.
- Have a "meeting place"
in another town or area where your family can go to in case family members are separated.
- This is a good time to meet or
renew acquaintances with your neighbors. Don't wait until an emergency to exchange phone
numbers - get to know the people that live around you.
- Remember that electric and phone
service may be interrupted.
- You may want to ensure that your
vehicles are refueled on a regular basis -- maintaining at least a half a tank of gas at
all times.
- Try to carry cash in lower
denominations to allow for quick purchases. In a situation with communications failure, no
store can process credit card/ATM transactions because these require phone lines. Remember
that if communications are out, banks and ATM's may be closed as well.
The above tips are useful and the
basic steps to prepare for an emergency. Other steps may be needed, depending upon the
situation. Please heed the directions of Federal, State, and Local Emergency personnel in
the event of an emergency.
Red Cross Checklist for Y2K
Individual and Family Preparedness Y2K -- What2Do (PDF)
Family Preparedness Checklist (Y2K)
Community Emergency
Response Teams (CERT)
Following a major disaster, first responders
who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these
services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will
prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's
notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their
immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.
CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest
good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and
disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can
make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small
fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for
shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize
themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2 1/2 hour sessions, one
evening a week over a 7 week period.
During each session participants are required to
bring safety equipment (gloves, goggles, mask) and disaster supplies (bandages,
flashlight, dressings) which will be used during the session. By doing this for each
session, participants are building a disaster response kit of items that they will need
during a disaster.
For more
information about Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Reference
Links
General
New Jersey State Police
Federal
Emergency Management Agency
National Weather Service
National
Weather Service Mt. Holly Office
National Weather Service Upton New York Office
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Voluntary
Organizations Active in Disaster
Institute for
Business and Home Safety
National
Flood Insurance Program
Natural Hazards
Observer
National
Emergency Management Association
CBS News
Disaster Links
NJ Emergency
Management Association
NJ Emergency Preparedness Association
Center for Disease
Control
CDC - Bioterrorism Preparedness & Response
Public Service Gas & Electric
United Water
Passaic Valley Water Commission
Nuclear Waste Route Maps
Bergen County
Bergen County Office of Emergency Management
Disaster Information
State of New Jersey Security Links
Key Issue: Security
NJ Office of Emergency Management
Domestic Security Preparedness
Task Force
Family
Assistance Center
Project Phoenix
Federal Links
Department of Homeland Security
National Homeland Security
Knowledgebase "The definitive homeland security information
resource".
Homeland Security Actions
Federal Emergency Management Agency
ESRI/FEMA Hazard Awareness Site ...
FEMA and ESRI have formed a National Partnership in part aimed at providing
multi-hazard maps and information to US residents, business owners, schools ...
.
|
[