Office of Emergency Management

F.E.M.A. (The Federal Emergency Management Agency)

F.E.M.A. is an indpendent agency of the federal government, reporting to the President. Founded in 1979, FEMA's mission is to reduce loss of life, property and protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency managment program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. FEMA is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from, and mitigating against disasters. FEMA can trace its beginnings to the Congressional Act of 1803. This act, generally considered the first piece of disaster legislation, provided assistance to a New Hampshire town following an extensive fire. In the century that followed, ad hoc legislation was passed more than 100 times in response to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters.

Protect Your Property, Home or Business from Disaster -- Disasters can strike at any minute.

ABOUT THE CERT PROGRAM

During his 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush asked Americans to volunteer their services in order to improve and safeguard their country. Harnessing the spirit of cooperation that developed as a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, he created the Citizen Corps Program to organize volunteer services in the areas of crime, natural disasters, and terrorism. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a part of the Citizens Corps Program. For more information regarding the CERT Program or volunteering, please visit their page by clicking here.

NEW JERSEY SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY

The NJ Special Needs Registry is designed to help emergency responders locate and safely evacuate people who could find it difficult to help themselves in the event of a major disaster, such as a hurricane.

Emergency responders need to know where you are and what special help you might need to assist in helping to evacuate you quickly and safely.

To register complete one of the following

=Log onto www.registerready.nj.gov

=Telephone 2-1-1

=Complete the Registry form and mail it to the Burlington County Health Department

NJ Special Needs Registry is ....

=Free

=Voluntary

=Strictly confidential

=Protective of your privacy

=A way to protect you in a major emergency

Hurricane Season: Are you prepared?