Mount Olive Officials Urge Residents to Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

MT. OLIVE, N.J. - July 6, 2016 - PRLog -- Public safety officials in Mount Olive are urging residents to take a few minutes to sign up for a free service that allows the township to send notifications to cell phones and emails. Residents who may need special assistance also can sign up for a service that makes those needs immediately known to first responders.

"It's summer storm season and that's a good reason to make sure you're getting the latest emergency information from the township," said Fred Detoro Jr., township fire official and head of the office of emergency management. "Our Everbridge (https://member.everbridge.net/index/3091830992273776#/login) system can notify you about anything from community events to school closings to power outages to the need to take cover or evacuate. It's free and confidential and the quickest way to get information."

Detoro said Everbridge (https://member.everbridge.net/index/3091830992273776#/login) has actually been successfully used in Mount Olive, which includes Flanders and Budd Lake, for several years. Residents sign up on the township's webpage, www.mountolivetownship.com. Scroll to the bottom of the page, in the column on the right, and look for "town notifications." Everbridge Aware is right there. When opened, it invites the reader to log in or open an account.

The program asks registrants for their name, an account name and password and then brings them to pages to select how they want to be notified and what they want to be notified about. It also asks if they need any special assistance.

"This system doesn't replace 9-1-1," Detoro stressed. "If you need emergency assistance from police, fire or emergency medical services, you should still call 9-1-1 and take whatever action is appropriate. But this is best, fastest way for us to let you know that something is going on."

Detoro also urged those who need special assistance to register with NJ Register Ready (https://www13.state.nj.us/SpecialNeeds/Signin?ReturnUrl=%...). Completely voluntary and confidential, Register Ready helps first responders identify people who may need special assistance during an emergency.

"There are people who can't get out of a building easily because of a disability or people who count on devices that won't work if there's a power outage," said Detoro. "NJ Register Ready alerts us to those needs so we can render assistance before it becomes a crisis."

The easiest way to find the registry is to Google NJ Register Ready. Like Everbridge, the survey asks the applicant registration and personal information that allows first responders to be alerted to the person's special needs.

"We recognize that some of the information we're asking can be a little intrusive, but they are things we need to know so we can get the manpower and equipment we need to the scene in a timely manner," said Detoro.

Detoro also mentioned that NJ Register Ready is a good tool for those with a temporary disability.

"If you're in bed with a broken leg, we'll know that you need some help with mobility," he said. "When you're back on your feet, you can delete your profile."

Detoro emphasized that these services are confidential and that information is not shared. He also said that those with questions or who need assistance registering can call his office at (973) 691-0900 x 7325.

"Things can happen very quickly, whether because of weather or a man-made issue," said Detoro. "We urge everyone to sign up to get emergency and community information. It only takes a minute, so it's one of those things you shouldn't put off. Do it now."