The High Bridge Office of Emergency Management (OEM) addresses how the municipality responds to disasters, and plans in advance to meet the needs of individuals and the community-at-large. During emergencies, OEM works in unison with State and County organizations and agencies, as well as with the Red Cross. Emergency operation plans have been created specifically for High Bridge, and updated versions are shared with all emergency services teams as well as Mayor and Council. Plans are put into effect on an as-needed basis during snowstorms, flooding, power outages, and other natural disasters and emergency events.
Community Emergency Response Team
The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
High Bridge CERT members participate in preparedness activities and respond to emergencies, such as Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. Members also volunteer during events such as the Soap Box Derby, Community Day and other Borough events. Members continually train to be ready for emergency situations. You can find more information about CERT by visiting their website.
Looking for Members
Consider joining the High Bridge CERT Team; our Team is looking for new members. If you are a High Bridge resident, over the age of 18 and interested, call email Jon Conant at cert@highbridge.org for more information. At times of emergencies, every pair of hands counts.
Recent events CERT participated in were the Soap Box Derby, the Spruce Run Triathlon, the Warming Center at the High Bridge Rescue Squad and other helpful services to residents after Hurricane Sandy, the search of a missing person, and the High Bridge tree lighting.
To join the team, the applicant will have to complete an eight-week, once-a-week training program. This training will cover first aid, search and rescue, fire safety and control, disaster planning and anti-terrorism. Become a part of the Community Emergency Response Team; complete the CERT APPLICATION
Cooling Center Interactive Map
Click here for the interactive map.
Medical Countermeasures
- Get involved and protect your family. It’s easy! Be a POD volunteer: Click here
- POD Information Brochure
- General information can be found at the County website: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/health/php.htm
- In case of an emergency requiring a Point of Distribution (POD) be set up, please read the following and fill out one of the forms (JEMS form) for each person before going to the POD location: JEM – English | JEM – Spanish | JEM – Chinese | JEM – Polish |
Special Needs Registry
The High Bridge OEM maintains a Special Needs Registry, and residents who register are recognized and planned for during emergency situations. All elderly and special needs individuals are strongly encouraged to register! Read more here.
Emergency Notification Systems
Two emergency notification systems are available for registration so that individuals may be kept informed in the event of an emergency. These systems are NIXLE and the Everbridge Notification System.
To view alerts or sign up for notifications: Click Here
Life-Support Equipment
If any member of your household depends on electrically operated life-support equipment, please let us know by calling 1-800-662-3115. Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) will send you a form that must be completed and signed by your physician every year to verify that you have lifesupport.
When we receive your completed form, we will add your name to our critical care list. The list will be used during a power outage to contact all critical care customers by telephone if the outage may affect their electric service for more than 24 hours.
In addition, the list will be provided to county and municipal Offices of Emergency Management.
There is no charge for this service. It’s also important that life-support customers have a contingency plan, such as a battery backup.
If you have any questions about our Critical Customer Care Program, or to sign up, please call 1-800-662-3115.
Electrically Operated Private Wells For Water
Does your home or business depend on an electrically operated private well for water? JCP&L maintains a list of customers with private wells. These customers are
contacted by telephone if a power outage is expected to affect their electric service for more than 24 hours – in which case, they’ll be advised of locations where water and ice are available. In addition, the list is provided to county and municipal Offices of Emergency Management.
There is no charge for this service. To join JCP&L’s Private Well Customer Service, please check here, complete the form on the back of this insert, and mail it along with your monthly bill payment.
If you no longer wish to participate in this service, or if you no longer have a private well, please complete the form (see link below), and mail it to us.
Customers who have previously signed up for this service are already on this list and do not need to contact us again.
Customers viewing this information online who want to participate in this service should print the form (see link below), complete the form and mail it to:
JCP&L Private Well Customer Service
PO BOX 367
Holmdel, NJ 07733-0367
Attention: Revenue Operations
Important Notes
As always, call 9-1-1- for any emergency situations.
The first line of defense against the effects of a disaster is personal preparedness. During an emergency, the government and other agencies may not be able to meet your needs. It is important for all citizens to make their own emergency plans and prepare for their own care and safety in an emergency.
Prepare for short- and long-term disasters by creating a basic emergency supply kit. The kit should include required medications, a three-day supply of food, water and other supplies to support you, your family and your pet in an emergency. You can find suggestions at the Federal Government’s website.
Do STOCK food that does not require refrigeration or cooking, keep plenty of bottled water on hand, and have a supply of any necessary medications.
Adverse weather can be devastating to everyone’s health, safety and well-being. Prepare now for alternative safe solutions to keeping cool or warm in the event of an extended power failure.
In adverse conditions, look after your elderly neighbors and report your concerns to the Borough.
Remember to make emergency preparation for your pets as well; more information on caring for pets in emergencies may be found below.
Hurricane Information
Hurricanes have the power to cause widespread devastation, and can affect both coastal and inland areas. For more information, download the “How to Prepare for a Hurricane” guide from the FEMA website. The guide provides the basics of hurricanes, explains how to protect yourself and your property, and details the steps to take now so that you can act quickly at a time when every second counts.
Debris caused by hurricanes can expose homeowners, emergency workers, and volunteers participating in the cleanup process to hazardous materials that can contain asbestos. The amount of debris that piles up after a hurricane is significant and can quickly overwhelm a community and break down normally strict guidelines for handling hazardous materials.
We have created an Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide that covers the risks associated with hurricane debris and asbestos:
https://www.asbestos.com/
FEMA Disaster Assistance Registration
After a disaster, you may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information on applying for Federal assistance, visit the FEMA website.
Protecting Pets
Pets are not allowed in shelters during emergency situations. There is an alternative to leaving a pet at home if you are able to leave town during an event. The following links will connect you with establishments that will allow you to bring your pet with you in the event of evacuation and sheltering. Remember that pets are not allowed in Red Cross-sanctioned shelters.
- www.takeyourpet.com
- www.petfriendlyhotels.com
- www.travelpets.com
- www.petswelcome.com
- www.hotel-guides.us/pet-friendly-hotels.html
Additional Resources
Poison Control (non-emergencies)
(800) 222-1222