Community Corner

Millburn To Participate In FEMA Day Of Preparedness

Learn what to do in the event of hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, extreme heat, wildfire or active shooting situations.

Millburn, NJ - The Township of Millburn will participate in America's PrepareAthon!, a biannual event organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase community awareness around preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies.

The day will be observed nationwide on Saturday, April 30, according to a news release.

As part of this effort, event organizers have released a variety of educational resources around the scenarios of hurricane and flooding, tornadoes, extreme heat, wildfire, pet preparedness and active shooter situations.

Find out what's happening in Millburn-Short Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Township officials are encouraging residents to visit FEMA's preparedness website to learn more about how to keep themselves, their homes, and their families safe in a disaster situation, and to visit the municipal website for local updates.

"FEMA's preparedness materials will help residents learn more about disasters that could happen in our community, know how to be safe, and take action to increase their preparedness," said Township Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator Tim Gordon. "By being proactive and planning ahead, citizens can take an active role in safeguarding their homes and families against potential threats."

Find out what's happening in Millburn-Short Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Recent emergency situations, such as severe storms in the Midwest, serve as a reminder of the importance and relevance of these educational efforts," attested Millburn Fire Chief J. Michael Roberts, who also serves as Deputy OEM Coordinator. "For example, it was only last week that the National Weather Service issued a wildfire advisory in our region due to continued low humidity and dry conditions."

FEMA's website offers a variety of suggestions for residents to participate in the PrepareAthon event. These include practicing family emergency drills and escape plans; coordinating with neighbors to plan preparedness activities; participating in local training activities; assembling emergency supplies, such as batteries and bottled water; and insuring property against damage.

"By following these guidelines, our residents can dramatically improve their emergency readiness and resilience," said Gordon. "As we prepare for warmer weather, I join my colleagues throughout the township in wishing our residents a safe and happy spring and summer."

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