Toms River Emergency Management

The following information has been supplied by the Toms River Office of Emergency Management:

Prepare by making a disaster supply kit and plan by going over evacuation plans with your family. Also, be informed by listening to the local media outlets for additional information.

• Include in your kit Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Food, at least a three day supply of non-perishable food.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with alert tone and extra batteries for both.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personnel sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Can opener for food.
• Local maps.
• Prescription medication and glasses. Put these items in a water tight container.
• Cash or travelers checks.
• Items to keep children busy.

Developing a family disaster plan by first discussing with your family what kinds of hazards could affect your family. Know your homes vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact. Make a plan now for your pets if you need to evacuate. Some shelters do not allow pets. If we are sheltering locally, Toms River WILL has a pet friendly shelter. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage-flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stay informed. In Toms River and surrounding communities you will be given emergency information and instructions on several radio and television stations. WOBM 92.7 FM, WBBO 106.3 FM, WJRZ 100.0 FM, WOBM 1160 AM, and Comcast Cable.

Toms River Town Hall has many emergency preparedness informational pamphlets available to the public and Winton encourages residents to utilize the free literature. Some of the pamphlets include, Helping Children Cope with Disaster, Hurricane Preparedness and Preparing pets for Disaster.

Background on the Office of Emergency Management:

The Toms River Office of Emergency Management is charged with the responsibility of reducing disaster effects on the lives and property of Toms River residents through leadership, coordination and support by using the four phases of emergency management that include mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

“Emergency management can be best described as the process of preparing for, mitigating, responding to and recovering from an emergency,” said John Winton, who is the director for the Office of Emergency Management. “Planning, though very important, is not the only component. Training, conducting exercises, testing equipment and coordinating activities with the community are other important functions.”

According to Winton, the OEM works in conjunction with the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Currently we have five volunteer positions filled by emergency personnel in town. Since we are in the middle of hurricane season, we thought it would be a good idea to talk about preparedness,” said Winton, noting New Jersey has not taken the full brunt of a hurricane in 105 years and residents need to heed the warning.

“We can get hit at any time and we have had many close calls. When Gloria hit in 1985 and Bob hit in 1991, we were close but they did not make New Jersey landfall,” said Winton. “These and many others have caused significant damage due to flooding and beach erosion. That is why we need to be prepared.”

Being prepared, planning and stay informed is a very smart way of thinking, said Winton, adding there are many ways residents can stay protected by taking specific measures.

Stay informed. In Toms River and surrounding communities you will be given emergency information and instructions on several radio and television stations. WOBM 92.7 FM, WBBO 106.3 FM, WJRZ 100.0 FM, WOBM 1160 AM, and Comcast Cable.

Residents or Emergency Response Teams can order the literature in bulk free of charge by calling (732) 341-3267 and additional links for a more in-depth emergency preparedness details are available at www.ready.gov, www.fema.gov and www.redcross.org.

“Please remember...We all have a responsibility. It’s a team effort so plan today,” said Winton.

Coordinator Winton also oversees the Toms River Code Enforcement, Housing and Property Maintenance and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the American Disabilities Act. Coordinator Winton can be reached at jwinton@tomsrivertownship.com.

OEM Deputy Coordinator Paul Daley is a Certified Emergency Management Coordinator as well as a Toms River Township Safety Officer and Community Emergency Response Team Coordinator. Deputy Coordinator Daley can be reached at pdaley@trpolice.org.