Linwood plans for future emergencies

Last Updated on Friday, September 21, 2012 02:46 pm Written by Suzanne Marino Wednesday, September 19, 2012 07:04 pm

LINWOOD – Mayor Richard DePamphilis said at the Wednesday, Sept. 12 meeting, “We learned a lot of things from the derecho and maybe the most important thing is to be prepared.

“So from this point forward if there is an emergency our residents know that they will be able to come to City Hall,” he continued. “It will be a cooling and comfort station each time a state of emergency is declared.”

The Mayor said he called an emergency management meeting.

Plans were made for improvements to city’s emergency response and plans to establish procedures for getting things started in an emergency.

“As soon as a state of emergency is declared, City Hall will be opened as a comfort station. Our emergency manager must get in contact with each member of the team, even if they have to drive around town to notify people. Every member of the team will meet at City Hall and determine what we do from there,” said the Mayor. “We are planning to do more but this is where we begin.”

Residents with special needs, which includes anyone who may find it difficult to self-evacuate because of a physical or cognitive limitation, language barrier, or lack of transportation – particularly if family, friends, or caregivers are unavailable to help them during a crisis, may register with the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management, a form is available on the city website www.linwoodcity.org  or through City Hall.

  Additional information regarding emergency preparedness can be found of the County’s web site at www.readyatlantic.org.