OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Spring Lake Office of Emergency Management is responsible for the preparation, implementation and oversignt of emergency preparedness for the Borough and its residents, the Office is under the direction of the Borough Emergency Management Coordinator and Chief of Police, Edward M. Kerr. chief Kerr is assisted by borough resident and firefighter, Edwin Hale. They are also assisted by representatives of our emergency services, including Police, Fire and First Aid, as well as the Department of Public Works and the Administration. The Office of Emergency Management is committed to constantly improving the safety of our residents. As a part of that effort, the OEM has developed a number of emergency warning methods as described below.

Warning Systems - The Borough of Spring Lake has several emergency warning capabilities provide timely information to Spring Lake families in case of emergency.

These warning systems include: - An AM broadcast station (1640 AM) that broadcasts NOAA weather radio updates daily, and which will include emergency warning messages when appropriate.

- An emergency siren with a loudspeaker capability, located near the DPW yard.

- The Reverse 911 system that can be used to provide emergency warnings and notices to phones of residents in the Boro, either to the whole town, to sections or blocks within the town, or to special groups of residents (for example the school superintendent will now be able to provide school closing notification directly to each student home with one notification). There is an option for citizens to add cell phones, homes outside of Spring Lake, or unlisted numbers to the data base provided by local carriers.

- This web page will provide on line updates concerning emergency conditions as well as other useful information on emergency planning.

Family Preparedness Plan - The Spring Lake Office of Emergency Managment strongly recommends that you develop a Preparedness Plan for your family, inlcuding the following considerations:

- Know the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

- Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane or storm 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. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

- Have an out-of-state friend or relative as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact who is unlikely to be affected by the emergency you are experiencing.

- Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

- 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.

- Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

- Use a NOAA weather radio.(or tune to Spring Lake rebroadcast at 1640 AM)

- Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

- Monitor the Spring Lake Warning Systems, including registering for Emergency Notification on your work and cell phone numbers.

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