Office of Emergency Management / Public Safety Announcements

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

2021 Hazard Mitigation Update

Hazard mitigation actions are efforts taken before a disaster happens to lessen the impact that future disasters of that type will have on people and property in the community. They are things you do today to be more protected in the future. Hazard mitigation actions taken in advance of a hazard event are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. With careful selection, hazard mitigation actions can be long-term, cost-effective means of reducing the risk of loss and help create a more disaster-resistant and sustainable community.

Click here for the 2021 Sussex County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan

UPDATED NJDA ALERT – UNSOLICITED SEEDS FROM CHINA (https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/hottopics/topics200727.html)

We have been receiving reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.

Here’s what to do if you receive unsolicited seeds from another country:

  1. DO NOT plant them and if they are in sealed packaging don’t open the sealed package.
  2. Take a photo of the package and seeds and send the photos to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Joseph.zoltowski@ag.nj.gov and USDA SITC at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov

This is known as agricultural smuggling. Report it to the USDA! Maintain the seeds and packaging and send to the USDA Office located at 1500 Lower Rd, Linden NJ 07036 for evidence.

If individuals are aware of the potential smuggling of prohibited exotic fruits, vegetables, or meat products into or through the USA, they can help APHIS by contacting the confidential Anti-smuggling Hotline number at 800-877-3835 or by sending an Email to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov. USDA will make every attempt to protect the confidentiality of any information sources during an investigation within the extent of the law.

About the Office of Emergency Management

Each municipality has emergency management coordinators who interact at the local level with police, fire, EMS, public works, public health, schools, etc.

Preparing for and carrying out all emergency functions—also known as comprehensive emergency management—is accomplished in four phases. A description of these phases and the division’s role in each are described below.
Mitigation

The County’s Office of Emergency Management has developed a county-wide pre-disaster all-hazards mitigation plan that has identified hazards and vulnerabilities in all of Sussex County’s twenty four municipalities.

Preparedness
Under the supervision of the County all twenty four municipalities have certified Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) that are reviewed annually and recertified every four years. The purpose of the EOPs is to give guidance to emergency responders in emergencies and disasters. The division also assists other public and private nonprofit agencies in developing their own specialized EOPs.

Response
The division has the responsibility to be aware of and coordinate the response of all emergency resources requested by the incident commander of an emergency or disaster.

Recovery
If a disaster strikes in Sussex County, the County OEM coordinates a thorough preliminary damage assessment with the affected municipalities. Non-insured losses are totaled and reported to the state. In the event of a presidential disaster declaration, the County then coordinates with the state and FEMA to recover the non-insured public sector losses.

In addition to the foregoing, the County Division of Emergency Management presents training and educational programs including personal emergency preparedness, access and functional needs and incident command for responders. Stillwater Township and the County OEM division also uses a community alert program Swift911™ that is of tremendous service to the public.

Resources and Links

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit
Click Here to Download

FEMA Assistance and Information
www.disasterassistance.gov

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
Click Here for FEMA Guide

Sussex County Office of Emergency Management
Click Here to Visit the Website

Emergency Alert Service
Sign up for Smart911

JCP&L Outages
To Report: 1-888-LIGHTSS; 1-888-544-4877
Click Here to View Area Outages

Public Safety Announcements

Bike Passing Law Resources

NJ Safe Passing Law Resource Center
The New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center

 

Visit the Office of Emergency Management page for links and the latest information

VIEW THE 2023 ADOPTED BUDGET
ADOPTED BUDGET 2023