RIBLE EMERGENCY RESOURCES LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Rible that requires the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to maintain a regional directory database of  available resources and supplies during a public emergency was signed today by Governor Jon Corzine.

“This new public safety law allows for quick access to vital information for emergency personnel who are responding to any type of public emergency,” explained Rible, R-Monmouth. “The data will allow emergency services to act quickly and efficiently during a natural disaster to safely assist residents.”

The bill, A-2457, requires OEM to maintain a regional directory database containing a listing of public and private entities that provide emergency supplies and which identifies emergency supplies and other resources these entities can make available during an emergency.

Rible sponsored the legislation in response to a situation in 2004 in which hundreds of people were forced from their homes as torrential rains caused creek waters to rise and burst several small dams flooding parts of Burlington County.  In all, eight dams ruptured, including three in Medford Lakes. 

Under provisions of the previous law, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was only required to implement precautions in the event of floods. The new law also has increased provisions for organization and preparedness in the event of other types of emergencies as well.

“This is an all encompassing, common-sense approach towards reaching our state’s goal of preparing for emergency situations,” said Rible. “When confronted with a flood or other natural disaster, emergency personnel on all levels of government need to know what resources are available to them so they can better access and respond to the situation.”

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