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Ewing, NJ 08628

National Preparedness Month

September marks the observance of National Preparedness Month, designated by Ready.gov to raise awareness about the importance of advance preparation for disasters and emergencies that could happen without warning at any time. 

Protect your family and propertyThis year, communities across our Nation have faced record challenges, from severe winter storms, historic drought, devastating heat waves, wildfires, and most recently, Hurricane Ida. 

Knowing what disasters and hazards could affect our area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate are critical steps we all need to take to be prepared for the next emergency.  The time to prepare is NOW, before an emergency strikes.

Background

Across the country we have seen the increasing number of signs of climate change-related trends including rising temperatures, increased storm intensity and frequency, and rising sea levels that signal a need for fundamental challenges to how we prepare for emergencies.  In New Jersey’s 2020 Scientific Report on Climate Change, some of the key findings mirror those nationwide trends.

  • TEMPERATURES
    New Jersey is warming faster than the rest of the Northeast region and the world. Our annual temperature has increased by 3.5°F since 1895.  It is likely to continue to get worse. 
  • PRECIPITATION
    Not only is the annual precipitation in New Jersey is expected to increase by 4% to 11% by 2050, but the intensity and frequency of the precipitation events is anticipated to increase, with the size and frequency of flooding similarly increasing. The warmer atmosphere and oceans will likely cause tropical storms to increase in intensity.
  • DROUGHTS
    Droughts may occur more frequently due to the expected changes in precipitation patterns.
  • SEA LEVEL RISE
    Sea-levels are increasing at a greater rate in New Jersey than other parts of the world.

With Ida we received yet another lesson about the need to prepare for the stronger, more erratic weather events that may be in our future.  Federal government agencies such as FEMANational Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security have put together campaigns to promote disaster preparedness. Through the Ready.gov and other sites they promote citizen awareness and planning.  Ready.gov has a 12-step plan to help you weather the next emergency.  They recommend three things at a minimum:

  1. Staying informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.  
  2. Building an emergency supply kit, and
  3. Making a family emergency plan.

Step 1 – Sign up for Community Notifications and Alerts

Swift911The first step to your emergency preparedness is to sign up for alerts and warnings published by the Township and other agencies to stay abreast of emergencies happening locally.   Ewing Township publishes warnings via the Switft911 Notification System, also known as the “Mayor’s Messages.”  Sign up now to ensure that you receive critical Ewing-centric notifications as they are published. 

The Swift911™ Community Notification System will keep you up to date about both emergency and non-emergency situations.  Receive a phone call, email or text about floods, fires, water emergencies, road closures, missing persons, evacuation orders, and weather emergencies. Non-emergency notifications may include Township information such as event and program reminders, service information, and other general communications. You may customize your alerts by opting-in or opting-out of some types of notifications.

Step 2 - Prepare

Create a disaster supplies kit including food and water, flashlights, batteries, chargers, cash and first aid supplies needed for at least three days.  Don’t forget medications or the needs of pets. 

Step 3 – Make an Emergency Plan

Make a PlanReady.gov has multiple resources to help you create your plan.  These include everything from an Emergency Plan for Parents, to Emergency Plan for Kids, Emergency Plan for Commuters, Emergency Plan for Pets, Protecting Critical Documents and Valuables, to Documenting and Insuring Your Property.

Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency, identify meeting locations, and make a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

Don’t forget a family member with medical disabilities 

If a family member has medical disabilities and will need special assistance during an emergency, we encourage them to sign up for NJ Special Needs Registry.  The “Register Ready” program allows NJ residents with disabilities to preregister so that emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency. 

Ewing’s Fire Companies also maintain their own database of addresses/individuals that need special assistance evacuating.  Fill out their Emergency Information Request form and send it to  them to be included in their database and ensure that they are especially prepared to help you in the event of an emergency.  (This information is not publicly shared.) 

Protect your property

Install sewer backflow valves, anchor fuel tanks, catalog belongings and review insurance policies.  FEMA provides an overview of this process in their Document and Insure Your Property guide.   Their 12 Ways to Prepare provides a quick overview of the steps you should take to prepare before a disaster occurs.  

Plan shelter options, especially if you are at risk for flash flooding.   Know your evacuation route.

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Ready.gov publishes a full set of resources to help you prepare for emergencies.  The following may apply to our area.

See also their Are You Ready? guide.  This is their complete citizen guide that will help you prepare for all different kinds of emergency situations.  

There are many ways to take action and prepare before a disaster occurs.  Complete the actions in the graphic below for some of the most important ways to help yourself, your family, and your community increase your preparedness.  Simple actions at home and in your neighborhood can make a big difference in how you weather the next emergency!

12 ways to prepare