OEM

Emergency Management Coordinator
Hernan Lopez

Carlstadt OEM is on Facebook!
Carlstadt OEM is on Nixle by texting zip code 07072 to 888777
Carlstadt OEM Emergency Notification System is Swiftreach

MISSION STATEMENT

TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH COORDINATES PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO PROTECT THE LIVES, PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF CARLSTADT USING AN ALL-HAZARD APPROACH THROUGH MITIGATION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FROM DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is responsible, by Federal and State Law, for the coordination of all the Emergency Services in the Borough of Carlstadt. This includes Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Public Works, Health Department and all additional agencies contributing to any large scale emergency incident or disaster. Emergency incidents can strike anytime, anywhere and in many forms, such as a hurricane, snow storm, earthquake, flood, fire, hazardous material incident; an act of nature or an act of terrorism.

TEAMWORK

Besides working closely with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, EMS Captain, DPW Director, the Carlstadt Office of Emergency Management receives support from the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management and the New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management. Membership is also held in the New Jersey State Emergency Management Association where experience and knowledge are shared by all Emergency Management personnel.

INFORMATION

The Carlstadt Office of Emergency Management works out of the Carlstadt Borough Hall located at 500 Madison Street.

WHAT IS THE OEM’S ROLE?

“Should an emergency arise that would cause the activation of the Office of Emergency Management Organization, and Department Heads Would remain in charge of their respective sections. However, requests for communications, movements, resources and needs would be coordinated through the incident command post site or at the Emergency Operations Center”.

HOW DOES THE OEM ACHIEVE ITS MISSION?

Mitigation – Activities that eliminate or reduce the risk of disaster (insurance, building codes, flood plain management, public education)
Preparedness – Planning, exercise, training, public information systems and warning
Response – Direction/Control, warning, evacuation, emergency service to address immediate and short term effects of an emergency/ disaster
Recovery – Short term, those operations that seek to restore critical services and meet basic needs. Long term, those actions that restore the community to its normal state. Mitigation measures such as temporary housing and food, restoring non-vital Borough services.
Emergency Operations Plan – on file with County / State ◦Describes use of assets for all emergency / disaster situations, evacuation procedures.
Describes direction and control protocol of Police, Fire, medical, DPW services
Describes alert and Warning protocol – Radio, TV, Autodialing systems
Describes critical facilities, shelters, roads, waterways
Address all emergencies – Weather related, Hazmat, Terrorism, WMD
LEPC – Local Emergency Planning Committee.

FAMILY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Every home and family should have an Emergency Preparedness Plan for every type of emergency or disaster.

CREATE A FAMILY PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILY.

Include two places for family members to meet if separated; two ways to evacuate your home, if required; teach children how and when to dial 911; have phone numbers available for out of area friends who can assist.

STORE AT LEAST THREE DAYS OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES such as water, food, communications equipment, clothing and bedding, sanitary needs. Know where valuable papers are stored, such as social security cards, wills, bank books, insurance policies.

TERRORISM

All Municipalities in the country must have an Emergency Operations Plan, which is the responsibility of the local Emergency Management Coordinator. This plan details all types of emergencies and the responsibilities of all local Emergency Services during a declared state of emergencies. This plan must be updated every four (4) years and approved by the State of New Jersey. The Carlstadt Emergency Operations Plan was completely revised in 2012 and was approved by the State and placed in service in June of 2012. After the disastrous events of September 11, 2001, the State requested all local OEM’s to prepare and submit for approval, a Terrorism Plan for their community.

The annex details the responsibilities of all Emergency Services during a terrorism incident, sets up an Emergency Management Command Post, and details what outside services should be called.

A terrorism incident is a Law Enforcement function and therefore, the Carlstadt Police Department is the lead agency in any response to such an incident. OEM will coordinate all involved agencies.

File of Life Cards are magnetic envelopes that contain critical personal health information that can be critical to first-responders in an emergency situation. Emergency personnel knows to look for them.
When patients are unable to, File of Life Cards can speak for them. They are available for free to all residents at Borough Hall
The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan.

If you are a pet owner, that plan should include your pets.

BEFORE A DISASTER

1. Ask friends, relatives, or others outside your area whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they may be more comfortable together; but be prepared to house them separately.
2. Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if “no pet” policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of “pet friendly” places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies.
3. Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency. Include 24-hour phone numbers. Include pet supplies as part of your family preparedness kit.

*CREATE A DISASTER SUPPLY KIT FOR YOUR PET
In the event of an emergency, you may have to leave your home quickly. Your pet relies upon you to take care of him or her.

Assemble this kit now:

§ Medications & medical records in a waterproof container. Sturdy leashes and/or carriers
§ A 3 day supply of food and potable water with bowls
§ A picture of your pet(s) in case they get lost
§ Information on feeding times, medical and/or behavioral issues
§ Litter and litter box for cats
§ Pet beds & toys, if easily transportable

Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars that are securely fastened and have ID tags containing up-to-date information. Attach to the collar or tag the phone number of a friend or relative outside the area in case you must leave your home and become separated from your pet in an emergency.
Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety regulations. The only exceptions to this policy are service animals who assist people with disabilities.

DURING A DISASTER . . .
Bring your pets inside immediately. Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can keep them from running away. NEVER LEAVE A PET OUTSIDE OR TIED UP DURING A STORM!

If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, there are some precautions you must take, but remember that leaving your pet at home alone can place your animal in danger. Confine your pet to a safe area inside. Place a notice outside in a visible area advising there are pets in the house and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your vet.

BIRDS
Transport in a secure travel cage or carrier.
In cold weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier and warm up the car before placing birds inside.
During warm weather, carry a plant mister to mist the bird’s feathers periodically.
Do not put water inside the carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content.
Have leg bands and a photo for ID.
Try to keep the carrier in a quiet area.
Do not let the birds out of the cage or carrier.
REPTILES
Snakes can be transported in a pillowcase but they must be transferred to more secure housing when they reach the evacuation site.
If your snakes require frequent feedings, carry food with you.
Take a water bowl large enough for soaking as well as a heating pad.
When transporting house lizards, follow the same directions as for birds.

SMALL MAMMALS
Hamsters, gerbils, etc. . . . Should be transported in secure carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while sheltered.
Take bedding materials, food, bowls, and water bottles.

AFTER A DISASTER
In the first few days after a disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost.

The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.

THE CARLSTADT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF OUR BOROUGH RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND STANDS READY TO RESPOND DURING ALL EMERGENCIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

The Carlstadt Emergency Operations Center is the Borough Wide Command Post for emergency operations during any major incident, involving all Emergency Services.

There are two (2) different Operation Centers, which are manned, depending on the type of incident being managed.

Bergen County OEM is www.bcoem.org

NJ OEM is www.state.nj.us/njoem

NJ Homeland Security is www.njhomelandsecurity.gov

FEMA is www.fema.gov

American Red Cross is www.redcross.org