UPPER FREEHOLD — On the eve of when New Jersey’s coastline expected some of Hurricane Earl’s wind and rain, Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Wentzien and Deputy Coordinator James Rosenbauer attended the Township Committee meeting to go over the town’s emergency response plan.
Wentzien explained emergency management coordinator responsibilities to the governing body, including compiling and implementing an emergency operation plan, analyzing hazards and assessing vulnerabilities. Emergency management is the sole entity that could declare a local state of emergency in coordination with the mayor.
The township’s Emergency Management Plan (EMP) consists of both a basic plan and essential service annexes. Under the EMP, the mayor is responsible for public information and working with other public information officers to ensure that a “single, credible and consistent message” is sent to the media and the public.
Wentzien explained that shelters could be set up to meet the needs of residents displaced from their homes. However, residents on welfare would be referred to the Monmouth County Division of Social Services.
Public health tasks under the EMP include personnel decontamination, environmental contamination management, medical donations and necessities, and ensuring non-hospital sources of medical care. The Allentown First Aid Squad would provide treatment, triage and transportation for residents and response personnel, while the Hope Fire Company chief would coordinate fire and rescue operations and any hazardous material incidents.
According to Wentzien, the township’s public works department would work to keep municipal roads open, clearing debris and sorting debris for recycling. Damage assessment personnel would conduct damage assessment in both the public and private sectors. Because the township is a rural community, someone would assess damage to the agricultural industry, including livestock. Wentzien said that farmer Richard Bullock has volunteered for that task.
In case of evacuation, Wentzien has made arrangements with the Upper Freehold Regional School District, along with the New Jersey State Police, Hope Fire Company and Allentown First Aid Squad, to coordinate movements of residents to designated safe havens. He said that the school district has a list of bus routes necessary for community evacuation.
When the township does not have resources, it must follow a chain of command and first approach the county and then turn to the state, he said.