 September is National Preparedeness Month. Learn how to prepare and get involved.
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While September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, NJN works all year round to make emergency information more accessible to all New Jersey residents, including members of our community who have visual and hearing impairments.
NJN is working with New Jersey's Citizen Corps, which is joining state officials and other volunteer groups throughout September hosting events to highlight National Preparedness Month. These organizations, including the State Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the State Citizens Corp and its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), hope to educate New Jersey residents on statewide efforts as well as individual emergency preparedness measures that will keep our homes, schools and businesses safe in the event of an emergency.
NJN has created an Advisory Committee to Increase Access for Emergency Communications, with representatives from state agencies and community organizations helping to create a road map to see how technology can be employed to provide effective messaging for special needs residents in the event of an emergency. Citizen Corps is a member of this committee and represents nearly 13,000 Citizens Corps volunteers in 208 New Jersey communities, who work to help prepare for and respond to all types of disasters. Working in partnership with Citizen Corps, NJN has produced a public service message airing on NJN in September that addresses the need for emergency communications for individuals with special needs including those with sight, hearing and mobility impairments and seniors who are living independently in the community.
Throughout the month, NJN also will broadcast messages to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies as well as about the training and educational opportunities available to ensure that New Jersey families and communities are better prepared, particularly for people with sensory disabilities.
New Jersey residents can find additional reliable information on preparedness at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, information on National Preparedness Month and NJOEM website www.ready.nj.gov. New Jersey leads the nation in Citizen Corps emergency preparedness events planned for 2007, and a list can be found at www.citizencorps.gov.
Partnerships and community NJN in partnership with the NJ State Citizen Corps Council, the NJ Office of the Attorney General, the NJ Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Business Force, and the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism is helping New Jersey residents to be prepared in the event of a domestic emergency or disaster.
After September 11, 2001, New Jersey witnessed a growth of selflessness and heroism. People from all over the state wanted to know how they could help and what they could do. There was and is, a continuing concern over the need to be prepared as well as a feeling of helplessness regarding what can be done.
Homeland Security reflects the spirit of civil defense. The need for citizens to volunteer to help ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods and our State ensures the tradition of safeguarding one’s community. It is this type of involvement that has led to the creation of volunteer fire companies and rescue squads. But Homeland Security today is more inclusive and far-reaching. Homeland Security requires that we all work together. Every American has a critical role to play.
How to get trained as a volunteer
 Citizen Corps is a national effort that is coordinated by the local Office of Emergency Management to bring together leaders from emergency management, first responders, faith and community-based organizations, educational institutions, medical facilities, business, industry and community neighborhood networks. The following Citizen Corps programs are currently implemented in New Jersey:
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – trains people in basic disaster response skills so that they can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event.
- Neighborhood Watch – brings residents together to focus on emergency preparedness and emergency response training.
- Medical Reserve Corps – helps medical, public health and other volunteers offer their expertise throughout the year as well as during local emergencies and other times of community need.
- Volunteers in Police Service – works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.
- Fire
Corps – works to enhance the ability
of fire departments to utilize citizen advocates
and provide individuals with opportunities
to support their local fire departments with
their time and talent.
Partners
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