Hazard Mitigation Plan Discussed At Ocean County Workshop

BERKELEY, NJ — What are Ocean County's biggest concerns when it comes to natural disasters, and how can they be mitigated? These will be the topic of discussion at an upcoming public workshop dedicated to updating the county's Hazard Mitigation Plan.

This is the second such workshop hosted by the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, Office of Emergency Management, held at the Ocean County Airport.

“We are working to update the plan and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events,” said Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, who serves as the county's Emergency Management Coordinator. “The more information we can gather the better prepared we will be.”

The one-hour hybrid public workshop is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 27. People can attend in-person at the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management, at the Ocean County Airport, Route 530, Berkeley.

To access the workshop virtually, the public can visit the Ocean County website at www.co.ocean.nj.us and click on the All Hazard Mitigation Plan tab on the home page and follow the instructions to register. Or, they can access the workshop by using the call in number (412) 634-6334 and Conference Code: 452 381 67#

Possible topics for discussion during the workshop include where are the hazards experienced; what are the biggest concerns and what are recommendations for hazard mitigation?

“The Hazard Mitigation Plan team is engaging with the public through this workshop to understand unique assets that should be protected, the hazards we face, and findings from the risk assessment,” said Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn, liaison to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office. “We are required to update the plan every five years so communities in Ocean County are eligible for certain types of state and federal disaster relief funds following a disaster.”

Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea urged Ocean County citizens to participate in the workshops.

“Whether you attend in person or join the discussion virtually, it's important we hear from you,” she said. “There is also an opportunity to participate by accessing the information on the County website.”

For questions about the plan or the public workshop, contact Brittany Dremluk, Consultant Project Manager at Michael Baker International, Inc. by emailing brittany.dremluk@mbakerintl.com or calling 609-807-9556, or Allen J. Mantz, Jr., Radiological Officer, Acting Domestic Preparedness Planner, Ocean County Sheriff's Office at amantz@co.ocean.nj.us or calling 732-341-3451, Ext. 6120.

“Ocean County experiences a host of natural hazards and disasters,” Quinn said. “From wild fires to flooding to coastal storms, it's important this plan reflects the most accurate information available.”

“Public input for this update is imperative,” Quinn added. “We gain a lot of important insight from our residents and representatives of public agencies so that the plan reflects Ocean County and the hazards we experience.”

To review the 2020 Ocean County HMP or learn more about hazard mitigation planning, visit the Ocean County Hazard Mitigation Planning webpage at www.co.ocean.nj.us.