Post by stffgpr2003 on Sept 27, 2007 8:10:08 GMT -5
Freehold updates plans for emergency response
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - Ready for anything.
That is what code enforcement official Hank Stryker III told Mayor Michael Wilson and members of the Borough Council on Sept. 17.
Stryker said Freehold Borough is in "good shape" to cope with any number of incidents that could occur.
The code enforcement official was speaking as he presented an updated Office of Emergency Management (OEM) plan that addresses incidents such as blizzards, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, power outages and other situations up to and including acts of terrorism.
Stryker said that at the request of Councilman Jaye Sims the plan includes provisions for the evacuation of residents from all or part of the borough if a particular situation makes that action necessary.
The emergency plan is crafted on what Stryker referred to as the 15 "annexes." They are as follows: a basic plan; alert warning and communication; damage assessment; emergency medical; emergency operations center; emergency public information, evacuation, fire and rescue; hazardous materials; law enforcement; public health; public works; radiology protection; resource management; shelter; social services and terrorism incident.
In the event that something happens in Freehold Borough that is restricted to the borough, Stryker said it would take about 30 minutes to activate emergency operations through the OEM.
People who need to be in town would be called, among them the mayor, who functions as chief executive, and Stryker, who serves as officer in command, (OIC). Code enforcement officer Dan Megill is Stryker's deputy. Also on the notification list are members of the Borough Council, members of the police department, the fire department, the first-aid squad and the public works department.
Stryker said the idea is not about who is in charge of the response; the important thing is about making a coordinated team response.
"We all work together," he said.
Stryker said if there is a large-scale incident that affects Monmouth County, Freehold Borough would probably be "on its own" for between 10 and 12 hours. An incident affecting the entire state would leave the town to its own resources for 24 to 48 hours.
He said if power outages occur, a new radio system that connects all county OEMs to one another will be invaluable in allowing those offices to function.
According to Stryker, many of the concerns regarding borough incidents are seasonal and usually involve weather conditions, with the exception of one - Nestle. He said the Nestle plant on Jerseyville Avenue is a day-to-day issue and is monitored by Nestle employees who man their own emergency management system onsite. He said regular emergency drills are held at the plant.
In the event of any leaks of substances such as ammonia, which is used at the plant, the company notifies the borough and state immediately. A borough response would support the plant's own response.
"The main thing we worry about is having to evacuate any segment of the population," Stryker said, adding, "We are constantly in touch with plant officials."
Wilson asked Stryker if there are specific provisions for the borough's K-8 school district in case of any catastrophic event.
"Are we prepared for that?" Wilson asked.
"Yes," Stryker replied, and added that the school district's safety and emergency plan is under the jurisdiction of the borough's law enforcement agency.
"We would work with law enforcement in that case," Stryker said.
Wilson told Stryker that he and every council member need to receive a copy of the quite lengthy OEM plan so that "we are all on the same page and we all know what we have to do."
Wilson asked if shelters are listed in the plan.
Stryker said shelters and cots would be set up, if needed, within one hour by using the Park Avenue school complex and Freehold High School as shelters.
Stryker said police officers and firefighters would be sent out to retrieve residents, if necessary, and take them to the shelters. Buses and other modes of transportation would be acquired from outside the borough, if necessary, to transport people to the shelters.
Stryker said he believes Freehold Borough would be well equipped to handle emergency situations. Being prepared is his top priority.
"After all," Stryker said, "we are stuck in the middle of two major cities, New York, and Philadelphia."
The borough is 1.9 square miles in size and has a population of about 11,000 people, according to Stryker.
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - Ready for anything.
That is what code enforcement official Hank Stryker III told Mayor Michael Wilson and members of the Borough Council on Sept. 17.
Stryker said Freehold Borough is in "good shape" to cope with any number of incidents that could occur.
The code enforcement official was speaking as he presented an updated Office of Emergency Management (OEM) plan that addresses incidents such as blizzards, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, power outages and other situations up to and including acts of terrorism.
Stryker said that at the request of Councilman Jaye Sims the plan includes provisions for the evacuation of residents from all or part of the borough if a particular situation makes that action necessary.
The emergency plan is crafted on what Stryker referred to as the 15 "annexes." They are as follows: a basic plan; alert warning and communication; damage assessment; emergency medical; emergency operations center; emergency public information, evacuation, fire and rescue; hazardous materials; law enforcement; public health; public works; radiology protection; resource management; shelter; social services and terrorism incident.
In the event that something happens in Freehold Borough that is restricted to the borough, Stryker said it would take about 30 minutes to activate emergency operations through the OEM.
People who need to be in town would be called, among them the mayor, who functions as chief executive, and Stryker, who serves as officer in command, (OIC). Code enforcement officer Dan Megill is Stryker's deputy. Also on the notification list are members of the Borough Council, members of the police department, the fire department, the first-aid squad and the public works department.
Stryker said the idea is not about who is in charge of the response; the important thing is about making a coordinated team response.
"We all work together," he said.
Stryker said if there is a large-scale incident that affects Monmouth County, Freehold Borough would probably be "on its own" for between 10 and 12 hours. An incident affecting the entire state would leave the town to its own resources for 24 to 48 hours.
He said if power outages occur, a new radio system that connects all county OEMs to one another will be invaluable in allowing those offices to function.
According to Stryker, many of the concerns regarding borough incidents are seasonal and usually involve weather conditions, with the exception of one - Nestle. He said the Nestle plant on Jerseyville Avenue is a day-to-day issue and is monitored by Nestle employees who man their own emergency management system onsite. He said regular emergency drills are held at the plant.
In the event of any leaks of substances such as ammonia, which is used at the plant, the company notifies the borough and state immediately. A borough response would support the plant's own response.
"The main thing we worry about is having to evacuate any segment of the population," Stryker said, adding, "We are constantly in touch with plant officials."
Wilson asked Stryker if there are specific provisions for the borough's K-8 school district in case of any catastrophic event.
"Are we prepared for that?" Wilson asked.
"Yes," Stryker replied, and added that the school district's safety and emergency plan is under the jurisdiction of the borough's law enforcement agency.
"We would work with law enforcement in that case," Stryker said.
Wilson told Stryker that he and every council member need to receive a copy of the quite lengthy OEM plan so that "we are all on the same page and we all know what we have to do."
Wilson asked if shelters are listed in the plan.
Stryker said shelters and cots would be set up, if needed, within one hour by using the Park Avenue school complex and Freehold High School as shelters.
Stryker said police officers and firefighters would be sent out to retrieve residents, if necessary, and take them to the shelters. Buses and other modes of transportation would be acquired from outside the borough, if necessary, to transport people to the shelters.
Stryker said he believes Freehold Borough would be well equipped to handle emergency situations. Being prepared is his top priority.
"After all," Stryker said, "we are stuck in the middle of two major cities, New York, and Philadelphia."
The borough is 1.9 square miles in size and has a population of about 11,000 people, according to Stryker.
