Office of Emergency Management

Responsibilities

The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for the protection of life and property from all forms of natural and man-made disasters in Aberdeen Township. The Office is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of the township's Emergency Operations Plan, which consists of a Basic Plan and sixteen functional annexes. The office of Emergency Management coordinates the response to emergencies with the other Aberdeen Township Emergency Service Departments, as well as federal and state agencies, private industry, and the residents of Aberdeen.

Four Phases of Emergency Management

  1. Mitigation - Those activities which eliminate or reduce the probability of Disaster
  2. Preparedness - Those activities which governments, organizations, and individuals develop to save lives and minimize damage
  3. Response - To prevent loss of lives and property and provide emergency assistance
  4. Recovery - Short and long-term activities that return all systems to normal improved standards

Community Emergency Response Team

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is part of the Office of Emergency Management. The CERT program, a nationwide initiative, helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help improve the safety of the community. 

CERT participants will be required to undergo twenty hours of instruction over an eight-week period. Classes would be taught by emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency medical and law enforcement personnel from the community. The training will also enable volunteers to better protect themselves and their families from natural or man-made disasters. The course includes the following:

  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Disaster Fire Suppression
  • Disaster Medical Operations 
  • Light Search and Rescue Operations 
  • Disaster Psychology and Team Organization 
  • Terrorism 
  • Final Exercise

CERTs have been used to search for missing children, assist with environmental emergencies, staff emergency operations centers, and assist Red Cross and other relief organizations on mass care. CERT members must be at least 18 years of age. Individuals interested in participating or learning more about the program can contact Herb Caravella, Aberdeen CERT Coordinator. They can also log onto the New Jersey State Emergency Management website or the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.