Press Release: August 29, 2011

 

The Borough of Runnemede Office of Emergency Management operates from an Emergency Operation Plan which is approved by the NJ State Police, Office of Emergency Management.

The Borough of Runnemede Plan has 17 annexes. The Office of Emergency Management is charged with coordinating the efforts of these annexes and organizations responsible for these annexes during a disaster or natural emergency.

 

During the operational period from August 26, 2011 to August 29, 2011 the following annexes were activated and/or on stand-by:

  1. Fire
  2. Police
  3. EMS
  4. Haz Mat
  5. Public Works
  6. Alert and Warning
  7. Shelter
  8. EOC

 

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was at our back up location due to emergency power capabilities in the event of the loss of power. The Shelter Coordinator was on stand by and the shelter location representatives were advised on Friday, August 26, 2011 and put on stand by. Shelter locations with alternate power were available in the event of the loss of power. Our EOC was in operation until 0400 hours, Monday, August 29, 2011. This was one hour after power was restored to the two areas with the loss of power.

 

The Emergency Management Coordinator was in continual communications with the County Office of Emergency Management regarding our shelter operations. During a period we advised the County OEM that we may activate one of our shelter locations. They advised us to utilize the County Shelter due to low numbers at that location, thus limiting travel of the staff to bring needed food and supplies to our location. During one point of the event period the County OEM considered the possibility of utilizing our shelter due to the low number at the first considered county shelter and the possibility of moving some of our residents into a shelter.

 

The Fire/EMS and the Police Departments consistently responded to calls for assistance and provided emergency power to residents who lost power. The Public Works Department assisted the Public Safety Agencies and also provided emergency power to assist residents who lost power along with keeping storm drains cleared and clearing our roadways of debris.

 

In the event of an evacuation our Alert/Warning Annex would have notified those who in areas effected. This would have been conducted by public address and door to door notification. In addition the County EOC would be notified and a request for the broadcast on television. A bus was on stand by to move residents if needed.

 

NOTE* The County OEM had their number airing on most television station for residents of Camden County to call if they had questions regarding the Hurricane.

 

During the Operational Period the Emergency Operations Center was operating utilizing E-Team. E-Team is an electronic notification system in which all Camden County Municipalities report situation reports which are reviewed at the County OEM. In addition requests for resources can be made directly to the County EOC.

 

Residents should visit the follow websites for emergency information and domestic preparedness:

 

  1. American Red Cross- www.redcross.org
  2. FEMA- www.fema.gov
  3. NJ Office of Emergency Management- www.state.nj.us/njoem/
  4. Camden County Office of Emergency Management- www.camdencounty.com