New Jersey | Kelly Rouba named new Chair of NJ Group for Access and Integration Needs in Emergencies and Disasters
Trenton | 14 Feb 2012
Today the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management announced that Kelly Rouba, a Communications and Emergency Management specialist for the NJ Department of Human Services, was selected as Chair of NJ GAINED, the “NJ Group for Access and Integration Needs in Emergencies and Disasters.” The committee was formerly known as the New Jersey Special Needs Advisory Panel (NJSNAP), but members determined the name did not accurately reflect its mission.
“The term ‘special needs’ is a misnomer and was exclusive in its definition,” said Major Dennis McNulty, Assistant State Director of the NJOEM. The NJ Office of Emergency Management, the NJ Department of Human Services and all of our collaborative partners are advocating that individuals with access and functional needs be proactively and appropriately integrated into state and local emergency plans. It’s simply the right way to manage whole-community emergency response, in contained and broad-scale situations.”
Individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) may have issues related to communication, medical care, supervision, transportation and/or maintaining independence before, during and after disasters. NJ GAINED was formed to identify issues likely to affect AFN populations as they prepare to respond to a large-scale emergencies or disasters, as well as emergency management personnel as they attempt to assist persons with AFN before, during and after adverse conditions.
The group is made up of representatives from various state and federal agencies, service providers, advocacy groups and consumers. Members make recommendations, develop solutions, review policies, and launch products and programs to increase the level of inclusive emergency preparedness in all of New Jersey’s communities.
The new Chair, Kelly Rouba, works for DHS’ Division of Developmental Disabilities. Ms. Rouba has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and has been involved in the field of emergency management as a preparedness spokesperson, Community Emergency Response Team member, FEMA Disaster Assistance Employee, member of the International Association for Emergency Manager’s Special Needs Caucus, and employee of an emergency management consultancy that focused on AFN populations.
For more information about emergency planning for access and functional needs populations, visit:
NJOEM Website (www.ready.nj.gov) AFN Page: – http://bit.ly/w8XgnM – contains information and links for consumers, agencies, first responders and government agencies.
FEMA READY.GOV AFN Page: http://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs
New Jersey | Nuclear review task force issues final report on lessons learned from 2011 incident in Japan
Trenton | 14 Feb 2012
New Jersey’s nuclear power plants are operating safely and have effective response plans in place to deal with potential emergency situations, according to the final report of the Governor’s Nuclear Review Task Force, which examined lessons learned from the nuclear emergency that occurred in Japan last year in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami.
“Based on information provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and licensed operators of New Jersey’s nuclear plants, Task Force members have a high level of confidence that New Jersey’s nuclear power plants are operating safely and have effective action plans to address the lessons learned from the Fukushima incident,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin, who chairs the Task Force.
Based on information from the NRC and nuclear plant licensees, the Task Force also re-confirmed there are adequate safety features at our nuclear power plants and a reliable emergency preparedness and response system in place in New Jersey, one that is continuously the focus of practice and improvement.
The report, released today, says the Task Force agrees with and fully supports actions taken to date by the federal NRC in response to the Japan tragedy, and that New Jersey will continue to work closely with the NRC and other federal agencies, as appropriate, to ensure that lessons learned serve to fully strengthen the state’s emergency planning and response organizations.
The state also will continue to monitor reports from the NRC on the Japan situation, said Commissioner Martin.
The state’s Nuclear Review Task Force was formed in late March, 2011 by the Christie Administration to assess operations and emergency preparedness for New Jersey’s nuclear power plants following Japan’s nuclear emergency. In addition to Commissioner Martin, the Task Force included State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes, State Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Charles B. McKenna, and State Board of Public Utilities President Lee Solomon.
New Jersey has four nuclear reactors: Oyster Creek in Lacey Township; the Salem Units One and Two reactors in Lower Alloways Creek Township; and Hope Creek, also in Lower Alloways Creek. The report stressed that nuclear reactors located in the State are designed to withstand severe events, including hurricanes, earthquakes and floods.
The Task Force examined emergency response protocols, technical reviews of plant operations, the chain of command and control at each of the state’s nuclear facilities, evacuation plans, and emergency communications to the public. The report touches on numerous issues, including power supply at the state’s nuclear plants, spent fuel storage, emergency planning zones, communications, interaction between the state and federal government, and coordination between New Jersey and neighboring states regarding reactors located outside of our borders.
Final recommendations include:
- Power Supply: Ask the NRC to enhance safety at all New Jersey nuclear plants by working with the Exelon Corp. and PSEG, owners of New Jersey’s nuclear plants, to develop procedures to quickly move essential equipment to deal with potential emergencies.
- Spent Fuel Storage: Increase the number of emergency diesel pumps at nuclear plants to handle cooling for all damaged systems; add monitors to view the spent fuel pool level from multiple locations; create regional agreements between nuclear plant operators to provide access to redundant pumps and generators; press the NRC and federal Department of Energy to create a national depository for spent nuclear fuel.
- Communications: Ensure battery backup is installed in a timely manner for siren network surrounding Oyster Creek; seek alternative methods to increase the effectiveness of delivering emergency messages to the public; support federal initiatives for emergency preparedness drills that feature multiple natural disasters.
- General Recommendations: Coordinate with New York and Pennsylvania to plan emergency response exercises for nuclear reactors in those states that impact New Jersey; more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the state and federal government in handling potential emergencies; implement needed information technology (IT) upgrades at the State’s emergency response headquarters.
To view the Task Force’s final report, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/nrtf-report20120131.pdf
New Jersey | Pre-incident planning helped response to Morris County aircraft crash
West Trenton | The tragic aircraft incident in Morris County yesterday required a swift and well-coordinated response. The number of fatalities, large debris field, closure of a major roadway, and need to coordinate response and investigative activities with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other local and federal agencies resulted in a complex emergency management operation.
Yesterday personnel from the NJOEM Emergency Response Bureau North Region Office assisted with establishing a Unified Command and an Incident Action Plan, interacted with the NTSB and assisted with their investigation, coordinated the voluntary agencies who assisted with human needs response, worked with the NJ State Police Incident Management Unit and the NJ Department of Transportation in establishing a traffic diversion plan and established communication between the NTSB, the NJSP and other key agencies.
But just a month prior to the crash, the focus was on training for events of this type. From November 15-17, NJOEM staff members teamed with representatives from the NTSB, the FBI, the New York State Police and the Minneapolis MN Police Department to deliver the NTSB “Transportation Disaster Response for Emergency Responders” Course in Ashburn VA. Students from across the United States and as far away as Saudi Arabia and South America attended the program, which was developed by the NTSB after a 2005 crash at Teteboro Airport. NJOEM personnel Lt. Kevin Fowler, Lt. Jeff Mottley, SFC Robert Paddock, and Trooper II Marc Pellegrino instructed at the course.
The course gives public safety professionals the chance to learn by examining case studies from the perspective of the NTSB and the command leadership from the local agencies involved in the response. Designed specifically for emergency responders and planners, this course provides participants with the tools to most effectively manage a major transportation disaster. Audio/video materials, case studies, recent examples and panel discussions are employed to illustrate key principles of the unique aspects of responding to major transportation disasters.
Topics discussed at the course included transportation disaster case studies from Teterboro, Bergenfield, and Hoboken, New Jersey. The Minneapolis bridge collapse, the TWA 800 plane crash and the Buffalo Colgan plane crash were also included in the case studies.
“One of the goals of the NJOEM is to build resilient communities; communities that are prepared for all types of large-scale events,” said Major Dennis McNulty, Assistant Deputy State Director of the NJOEM. “Planning, training and inter-agency coordination are the keys ways to achieve resilience and best serve others when adverse, and sometimes tragic, incidents occur.”
New Jersey | State achieves EMAP status
Trenton | The State of New Jersey has received full accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), Christie Administration officials announced today.
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management oversaw the accreditation process, documenting how the State met nationally-recognized standards for disaster preparedness and response systems, and undergoing a peer-review assessment by EMAP-trained assessors.
“This is a significant milestone for the State Office of Emergency Management and for State Government,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police Superintendent and Director of the NJ Office of Emergency Management. “It represents the ability of State agencies to work in partnership and serve New Jersey residents during all types of adverse conditions. It also means that we will continue to subscribe to these high program standards now and into the future, as we work to maintain our accredited status.”
Accreditation is valid for five years from the date the EMAP Commission grants accreditation. Accredited programs must maintain compliance with EMAP standards and be reassessed in five years to maintain accredited status.
“Achieving accreditation reflects leadership and a commitment to excellence and the State of New Jersey has demonstrated both. Citizens and stakeholders of the State Emergency Management Program can be proud of and confident in the staff and key partners who have helped demonstrate New Jersey’s emergency preparedness” states Barbara Graff, Director, Seattle Office of Emergency Management and Chair, EMAP Program Review Committee.
The Emergency Accreditation Program is a voluntary accreditation process for emergency management programs that coordinate preparedness and response activities for disasters, from wildfires to terrorist acts, based on national standards. EMAP recognizes the ability of state and local governments and private companies to bring together personnel, resources and communications from a variety of agencies and organizations in preparation for and in response to an emergency, in addition to obtaining the ability to measure those capabilities. This forms the foundation of the nation’s emergency preparedness system. EMAP is the only accreditation process for emergency management.
Working collaboratively since 1997, state, local and federal emergency managers developed EMAP to provide quality standards and a process for determining compliance. The Emergency Management Standard by EMAP creates a structure for strategic planning for improvement coupled with methodical, verified assessment by experienced peers from other jurisdictions, which results in stronger capabilities and accountability. The EMAP process evaluates emergency management programs on compliance with requirements in 16 areas, including: planning; resource management; training; exercises, evaluations, and corrective actions; and communications and warning.
NJ – 64 cases of illness from Salmonella bacteria associates with eating uncooked kosher chicken meat
Trenton — The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has identified 64 cases of Salmonella bacterial infection and illness linked to eating kosher broiled chicken livers from Schreiber Processing Corporation (doing business as Alle Processing Corp/MealMart Company) and to chopped liver made from this product that is sold at retail stores or made at home. The majority of the cases have occurred in Ocean County.
Broiled chicken livers from this manufacturer should be cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption. Chopped liver purchased at retail stores that sell this product should be cooked fully or discarded.
DHSS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have identified these cases of illness associated with the Salmonella Heidelberg bacteria strain, a common bacteria associated with food poisoning in humans.
The cases of Salmonella Heidelberg, identified during the period of February through November, all had a common DNA fingerprint. Public health investigations recognized a pattern of people reporting that they ate kosher broiled chicken livers or chopped liver before their illness began. This Salmonella strain has been found in samples of broiled chicken livers and in samples of chopped liver made from the kosher broiled chicken livers. The product that the cases are linked to is labeled as “broiled chicken liver” produced by MealMart Company in Maspeth, N.Y. This product is not fully cooked and is not ready to eat. Consumers reported that they believed the product was fully cooked and that it could be eaten without any further cooking.
While these chicken liver products may appear to be pre-cooked, they are in fact raw and need to be fully cooked before consumption. In stores “broiled chicken livers” are often re-packaged and sold in smaller quantities or are used to prepare chopped liver sold at deli-style establishments. Retail stores and other establishments in the following communities either re-packaged this product or used it to prepare chopped liver that was sold to customers:
New Jersey: Moonachie, Englewood, Lakewood, Freehold, Teaneck, Elizabeth, Howell, Highland Park, Passaic, Paterson
New York: Bronx, Brooklyn, Cedarhurst, Far Rockaway, Ferndale, Flushing, Kew Gardens Lawrence, Loch Sheldrake, Monsey, New York (Manhattan), Ocean Side, Parksville, Roslyn Heights, Schenectady, South Fallsberg, Suffern, Wesley Hills, Woodridge.
Maryland: Baltimore
Pennsylvania: Mckeesrocks, Philadelphia
Minnesota: New Hope
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but can begin up to a week after exposure. Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and most people recover without treatment, however, in some persons diarrhea may be so severe that he or she needs to be hospitalized. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to death, particularly in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Each year, approximately 1,200-1,300 cases of Salmonella are diagnosed in New Jersey.
Salmonella bacteria is frequently found in raw chicken or other uncooked meats. Consumers should always follow safe food handling practices to prevent transmission of Salmonella bacteria to humans. Avoid getting sick from Salmonella illness and contaminating other foods with Salmonella by:
- Washing hands, utensils, and cutting boards after they have been in contact with raw meat and before they touch other food.
- Cooking meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption.
- Putting cooked meat on a clean platter rather than on the one that was used to hold raw meat.