kh #125 06/04/08

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HOLDS PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMS

TOMS RIVER - The Ocean County Sheriff's Department and New Jersey State Police Offices of Emergency Management are teaming up with local Emergency Management offices to hold free public awareness programs in the coming weeks focusing on emergency and disaster preparations.

Family emergency operations plans, assistance for individuals with special needs and the ways to handle any natural disaster or emergency situation will all be discussed at these events.

There will also be information given on how to plan and care for your pets or livestock during an emergency evacuation.

"The public is encouraged to attend one of these programs to learn how to better prepare for an emergency or disaster," said Sheriff William L. Polhemus, Ocean County Emergency Management Coordinator. "Protecting and providing safety for our families is paramount to every emergency responder in Ocean County."

Ocean County's Office of Emergency Management has been making strides in informing and educating the public about emergency processes. They have made it clear that it is critical for every resident to be familiar with the steps taken during a hurricane, flood, wildfire, power outage or nuclear disaster.

"There are certain actions that should be taken during an emergency or disaster just as there are certain actions that should be avoided," said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. "Our mission is to reach every member of our county and make certain they know and practice the safe habits that will save their lives in the time of an emergency."

The dates, times and locations of the public awareness programs are as follows:


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