Sheriff Remains in the Forefront When Assisting Seniors in Disaster Preparedness
Wall Township: Sheriff Shaun Golden and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) want seniors to be equipped with the proper tools, in the event of an emergency or disaster, through the STORM program. Seniors Taking on Readiness Measures, STORM, which provides those who are among the most vulnerable population with emergency preparedness information, was presented at Allaire Crossing in Wall Township on Aug. 23. The program assists seniors in creating a family disaster plan and provides them with an emergency kit.
“People need to have a family emergency plan, but after Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy impacted Monmouth County with mandatory evacuations and the need to shelter residents, it was recognized that many were not prepared.” said Sheriff Golden, whose agency runs OEM. “STORM provides people with the tools to build a plan in an effort to strengthen
resiliency, sustainability and expedite recovery during emergencies and disasters.”
STORM began in 2013, making the most recent program in Wall Township the 40th presentation since its inception. To date STORM has been presented to 1600 residents.
During the program, seniors are provided with a family disaster plan booklet, which asks for personal, family, work, medical, insurance, emergency & evacuation related information.
Once the booklet is verified and completed, participants are then provided with a free emergency supply kit, which includes basic necessities for use during an emergency.
The National Readiness Campaign adopted by FEMA includes four basic components which asks residents to be informed, get involved, have a plan and build an emergency kit.
“Many residents are well informed and involved, but they fall short in creating a plan and building the kit,” said Mike Oppegaard, OEM Coordinator. “STORM gives them that plan and equips them with the basic necessities in the event they need to go to a shelter. All those tools will lessen the impact on emergency management services during a disaster or emergency.”
STORM is funded through grants from the Department of Homeland Security and the Monmouth County Health Department.
For a downloadable version of this press release, click here: News-Release-Sheriff-in-the-Forefront-When-Assisting-in-Disaster-Preparedness.pdf
