OEM to outline city’s plan for emergency storm prep
Presentation scheduled for Wednesday's city council meeting
Members of Asbury Park’s Office of Emergency Management [OEM] will conduct a brief presentation on the city’s disaster preparedness plan during the workshop session at Wednesday’s city council meeting.
Fire Chief Kevin Keddy will lead the presentation, according to City Manager Terence Reidy. Reidy will be on hand to supplement the presentation if necessary, he said.
Keddy plans to give a brief overview of the formal process of OEM, what they have done in the past, what they did during Hurricane Sandy and how they have learned and evolved, he said.
Councilwoman Amy Quinn requested the presentation so both the council and residents could be informed as to the city’s course of action in case a major storm hits the area.
“We’re in hurricane season and winter is around the corner,” Quinn said. “I think it is a good time to get up to date on disaster preparedness within the city. We want people to know what the city or OEM is going to mobilize to do, and we want to help the community stay in the loop.”
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an “active or extremely active” 2013 season, according to their website.
Major players in the city’s OEM include the fire and police departments, the Department of Public Works, the finance department, the city manager and the social services department, Reidy said.
“This team has been together for 10 years,” Reidy said. The presentation will allow the public to know “the city has it’s act together” in terms of emergency preparedness, he said.
The workshop session starts at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers, located at One Municipal Plaza.
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