The following words and phrases, as used in this chapter, shall
have the following meanings:
DISASTER
Any unusual incident resulting from natural or unnatural
causes which endangers the health, safety or resources of the residents
of one or more municipalities of the state and which is or may become
too large in scope or unusual in type to be handled in its entirety
by regular municipal operating services.
EMERGENCY
Includes "disaster," as defined herein.
LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY
Any flood, blizzard, frost, hurricane, storm, tornado, high
water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, drought, fire, explosion, civil
disorder or other catastrophe which is or threatens to be of sufficient
severity and magnitude to substantially endanger the health, safety,
resources and property of the citizens of the Township of Pemberton,
the imminence thereof which affects the Township but is not so severe
as to require action by the Governor of New Jersey or the County Emergency
Management Coordinator as described in the New Jersey Civilian Defense
and Disaster Control Act (N.J.S.A. App. A:9-33 et seq.).
The LEPC shall meet at such times as may be required by applicable
federal and state law, and necessary to fulfill the requirements set
forth in this chapter as determined by the Coordinator, or at any
time during an emergency situation as requested by the Mayor or the
Business Administrator.
A comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) shall be adopted
and maintained by directive of the Mayor. The EOP shall be prepared
by the Coordinator and submitted for approval by the Mayor and will
outline the duties and responsibilities under this chapter and all
other applicable regulatory requirements. In preparation of the EOP,
the Coordinator will consult with all municipal department heads whose
departments will be assigned duties and responsibilities under the
plan, and said department heads will assist the Coordinator in preparation
or modification of the plan. In the preparation or any modification
of the plan as it pertains to the Township organization, it is the
intent that the services, equipment, facilities and personnel of all
existing departments and agencies shall be utilized to the fullest
extent. When the plan is approved, it shall be the duty of all municipal
departments and agencies to perform the functions assigned by the
plan and to maintain their portion of the plan in a current state
of readiness at all times. The plan shall be considered supplementary
to and an implementation of this chapter and N.J.S.A. App. A:9-33
et seq.
Within the Office of Emergency Management, there shall be established
the Pemberton Township Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) as
follows:
A. CERT
shall respond to man-made and natural disasters, and other emergencies,
as directed by the Coordinator.
B. CERT
shall be activated by and shall report to the Coordinator, or the
Coordinator's designee, as directed.
C. CERT
may be called upon to assist in large planned community events.
D. In
the event CERT activation is requested by the Burlington County Emergency
Management Coordinator for emergency services outside of the Township
of Pemberton, the Coordinator shall activate CERT. The county shall
provide insurance coverage for CERT members and Township equipment,
including but not limited to general liability and workers' compensation.
E. CERT
shall only use municipal property and equipment approved for use by
the municipality and authorized by the Coordinator for the particular
emergency and/or event for which services are being rendered. However,
no CERT member shall use any municipal property or equipment without
first receiving proper training and demonstrating proficiency in its
use, if applicable.
F. With
the express consent of the Coordinator, CERT may use equipment provided
by other local jurisdictions.
G. The
Coordinator shall be responsible for providing all training and preparation
of CERT members which may be required for the continued operation
and function of CERT.
H. The
Coordinator shall promulgate rules and regulations and standard operating
procedures for CERT, subject to the express approval of the Mayor
or his/her designee.
The Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management shall act as
the Coordinator in the absence or disability of the Coordinator.