Somerset County Encourages Residents to ‘Start a Conversation’ About Emergency Preparedness

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Somerset County Department of Public Health and Safety encourages residents to start preparing for emergencies. This year’s National Preparedness Month theme is “Start a Conversation.” Talking about topics like emergencies can be difficult, and initiating conversations about preparedness can strengthen community-wide readiness, response, and recovery efforts.

“Emergency preparedness can start with a simple conversation,” said Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to both the Health Department and Office of Emergency Management. “Although disasters and emergencies are unpredictable, families and communities can better protect themselves by having a plan in place. That’s why Somerset County is encouraging residents to talk about staying ready and prepared.”

Having open and honest conversations about preparing for an emergency can help increase awareness of the needs of certain groups and individuals who may be more vulnerable in emergencies. Individuals who live alone, are low-income, have a disability, or whose primary language is not English may face greater challenges in preparing for an emergency.

By empowering communities to seek out and receive the specific resources that they need, they can get ready before disaster strikes.

Residents can take action and begin planning with their families by following these tips:

• Create a support network of family, friends, and neighbors who can assist during an emergency.
• Make a plan that is adaptable and easy to understand. Don’t forget to practice it in your own home and with your network!
• Build an emergency supply kit for at home and on-the-go – this can include food, medication, and money.
• Minimize barriers affecting your mobility to evacuate (ex., fill up your car with gas if you know a storm is coming, get a local map in your preferred language).
• Stay informed as to the status of the current situation using trusted, local sources:
  • Monitor your local news
  • Sign up to receive emergency notifications
• Don’t forget to include pets or service animals in your plans. Not all shelters accept pets, so plan alternative options.

Residents are encouraged to sign up to receive information through the following local emergency resources:

• Nixle – is a direct community information service that connects you with emergency alerts, local advisories, community information and traffic updates based on your location. Sign up by texting your ZIP code to 888777 or by visiting Sign Up: Nixle.

• Smart911 – allows first responders to see important information that you provide (medical conditions, emergency contacts, etc.) to help Police, Fire, and EMS locate and help you in an emergency. You can specify your primary language when creating a Safety Profile, and document if an interpreter is required when calling, the 9-1-1 dispatcher will be able to see which language you designated as your primary language. Smart911 will also send out alerts about weather, traffic, and other local emergencies. Sign up by visiting Smart911.

• NJ Register Ready – is for persons with disabilities or access and functional needs and managed by your county Office of Emergency Management (OEM). It allows OEM officials to plan for emergencies and when an emergency or disaster occurs, to specifically meet your needs. To register, call 2-1-1 or visit Special Needs Registry (state.nj.us).

For more about emergency preparedness, visit: Ready.gov or Somerset County Department of Public Health and Safety.

To stay up-to-date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.