EDISON — As those who stared steadfastly at smartphone screens throughout the wake of superstorm Sandy are well aware, information is the best ally in a disaster situation or crisis.
The Citizens Campaign is looking to arm residents with the skills and techniques necessary to investigate and report in the case of such an event. The organization will host part three of its citizen journalist training series Nov. 16 at Middlesex County College, Edison.
“This series is trying to empower citizens using all these tools that are available,” Citizens Campaign spokeswoman Heather Taylor said, adding that these include making use of social media, blogging and writing letters to the editor. “There’s really no limits or no bounds. It’s about sharing information and keeping people involved.”
The free event, entitled “Eyewitness Reports: Are We Ready or Not?” will include speakers such as Justin Auciello, who founded Jersey Shore Hurricane News when Sandy struck and was named a Champion of Change by the White House; South Orange Mayor Alex Torpey; and Citizens Campaign Chairman and founder Harry Pozycki.
All are welcome at the public event, which will include four breakout sessions. Joe Malinconico, PatersonPress.com editor, will speak on investigative reporting. Torpey will host a session entitled “Upgrading Your Town’s Emergency Communications.” A representative of Lenox Consulting will instruct attendees on how to set up a blog, and Colleen O’Dea of NJ Spotlight will discuss how to map out a story.
“It’s having a conversation about some practices and how we can implement them,” Taylor said. “We think a journalist’s skills are really important in trying to shape a policy going forward.”
Those in attendance will learn some of these skills, including how to obtain information through the Open Public Meetings Act by attending meetings in one’s town and asking key questions of local officials about their disaster-management plans and resources.
“It’s really just to get people thinking, and start a conversation so that we can move our communities forward,” she said.
Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided to attendees at no cost.
The event is supported in part by the New Jersey Recovery Fund, which focuses on building stronger and more engaged communities in the wake of superstorm Sandy. Additional sponsors of the series are Jersey Shore Hurricane News, NJ Spotlight, Creative New Jersey, Sustainable Jersey, WHYY, NJ News Commons, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Rita Allen Foundation.
“Eyewitness Reports: Are We Ready or Not?” is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at Middlesex County College College Center.
The event is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. To register, visit www.thecitizenscampaign.org or call 732-548-9798.