Step toward defunding police

[anon-421o]

I heard this morning that Mayor Scott last night took the unprecedented step of taking away the responsibility of running the office of emergency management and the coordinator role from the the Police Department. Instead of the Police Chief running things in times of an emergency the Mayor appointed the Chair of the Democratic Party to coordinate our first responders and response.

How can someone with no experience or training as a police officer or first responder be the one responsible for running and coordinating police, fire and EMS in a time of emergency?

It seems like this is a step toward carrying out the defund the police mandate and playing politics at the risk of resident safety. This is similar to what is being done in other towns with reduced policing.

[Guest 435-8o65]

This was an outrageous action on the part of the TC. I understand that Jay Taylor was the only one to disagree with this action. NJ legislature stipulated that the municipal coordinator should (“whenever possible”) be appointed from a salaried officer or employee of the municipality. Now, I do not mean to disparage the person appointed, but removing this important responsibility from the police department is ridiculous.

[anon-os67]

Sounds like a joke

[anon-po04]

Did this really happen ?

[anon-7666]

Yes. It really happened Monday night. I could not believe it when I heard. It seems like a story in the Onion or one of the cities where political patronage is a normal part of business. Our Police chief through Republican and Democrat TCs has always been the OEM head. They have the experience.

I should be surprised, but this is the same person who told the Cranbury Press they wanted to open Pot shops on Main st. because it is good for the restaurants. (Sure there is a school there but let’s ignore that). What does surprise me is only one TC member said this isn’t a good idea.

[anon-5372]

Stop creating nonsense. The mayor was a paramedic for years. He knows what he is doing when it comes to emergency management.

[anon-848o]

Who is appointed? Why is it a bad move to free up the police chief to do what he does best and have a co-coordinator, who may have more time to co-ordinate the response between our emergency services?

Are you saying the person appointed is not qualified or biased?

[anon-7666]

Why is it a bad move? Because the person heading it up has no experience running emergency operations in the time of a crisis. This is not a helper. It is the head of OEM.

The law states that the person must have experience as a police officer or first responder. I am not a doctor, but I have a fiend who is. If he says hey I need you to cover for me does that mean I am qualified? That is your justification for saying Matt as a Former Paramedic could appoint someone without training. Simply because the Mayor used to be a paramedic does not mean that his appointment is qualified.

The Police have managed and run OEM for years and it has worked well and kept residents safe. The person appointed is not qualified or trained in this role.

How will they be able to tell Police, fire or first aid what to do or tell the state what we need?

[anon-7ns6]

[OEM Law-17s6]

Standards for Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators

DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE

EMERGENCY MANAGMENT SECTION
POST OFFICE BOX 7086
WEST TRENTON NEW JERSEY 08628

DIRECTIVE NO. 102

SUBJECT: Standards for Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators

PURPOSE

To provide standards for the position of Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator.

LEGAL AUTHORITY
The position of Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator is based on provisions of public laws and directives which carry the force of law.
New Jersey State Law:
New Jersey Statutes Annotated (NJSA) Appendix A:9-33 et seq. (Chapter 251 P.L. 1942, as amended by Chapter 438, P.L. 1953).These laws set forth responsibilities, obligations and authorities.

In every municipality of the State, the mayor shall appoint a Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator, from among the residents of the municipality. The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall serve for a term of three years. As a condition of appointment and the right to continue for the full term of the appointment, the Coordinator shall successfully complete the approved courses within one year of appointment. The Governor may remove a Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator at any time for cause.
Duties of Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator
The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall be responsible for the planning, activating, coordinating and the conduct of Emergency Management operations within the municipality.
The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall be a member and shall serve as chairman of the local Emergency Management Council.
Each Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall appoint one and may appoint more than one Deputy Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator(s) with the approval of the Mayor. Wherever possible, such Deputy(ies) shall be appointed from among the salaried officers or employees of the municipality.
New Jersey office of Emergency Management Directive #61, November 19, 1986, indicates:
Wherever, in the opinion of the Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator, a disaster has occurred or is imminent in the municipality, the Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall proclaim a state of local disaster emergency within a municipality.
The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Director of Emergency Management, shall be empowered to issue and enforce such orders as may be necessary to implement and carry out Emergency Management operations and to protect the health, safety, and resources of the residents of the municipality.
The County Emergency Management Coordinator shall be immediately advised of the proclamation of a state of local disaster emergency by the Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator and the action taken.

QUALIFICATIONS
The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall have a minimum of two years’ experience in the planning, development and administration of emergency response activities such as those provided by police, fire, rescue, medical or Emergency Management units either in the public or private sector or in the military service.
Must be a resident of the municipality.
Must have a good reputation and a sound moral character.
The State of New Jersey, counties and municipalities are equal opportunity employers. All persons shall have the opportunity to obtain employment without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status or physical handicap, subject only to conditions and limitations applicable alike to all persons.

BASIC TRAINING FOR MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTT COORDINATORS
The position of Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator is based on provisions of public laws and directives which carry the force of law.
Within one year of appointment:
Emergency Program Manager (correspondence course)
Emergency Management Workshop–Basic
Continuing Education:
Following the completion of the first year’s courses, the Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator must complete 24 classroom hours of Emergency Management continuing education per year. All courses taken by Municipal Emergency Coordinator must be submitted to and approved by the County Emergency Management Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator is responsible for the provision of leadership in the field of Emergency Management at the municipal level of government. As such, the Coordinator is responsible-for Emergency Management program administration and program development encompassing the four phases of Emergency Management–mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator shall also be responsible for the following:
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
Insure that the Municipal office of Emergency Management is available on a 24-hour basis.
Supervise the day-to-day operations of the Municipal office of Emergency Management.
Insure that the municipality meets all requirements for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Assistance Program including meeting goals agreed to in the annual workplan, maintaining a currently approved Municipal Emergency Operations Plan, and providing the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management with quarterly program status reports, if applicable.
Prepare, submit, and justify the annual Municipal Emergency Management budget.
Secure County, State and Federal technical and financial assistance available through the County Office of Emergency Management.
Personally attend at least 75% of the scheduled County office of Emergency Management meetings. The Coordinator must assure representation at all other county Emergency Management meetings.
Maintain a continuing knowledge of all municipal, county, State and Federal laws and plans concerning Emergency Management.
Maintain adequate files, records and correspondence relating to Emergency Management activities.
Interact with the County Emergency Management Coordinator regarding:
Municipal Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) review,
All mutual aid agreements,
Hazard Identification Capability, Assessment and Multi-Year Development Plan,
The approval and scheduling of attendees for State and Federally sponsored Emergency Management courses, etc.
Coordinate with the municipal agencies, departments, and bureaus regarding their Emergency Management responsibilities.
Implement policies and procedures regarding Emergency Management.
Conduct quarterly staff meetings, providing advance notice to the County Office of Emergency Management.
Receive and react to weather emergency notifications.
Cooperate with the National Warning System (NAWAS) program.
Comply with all directives rules and regulations issued by the State Office of Emergency Management.
Conduct a minimum of one exercise per year, providing a minimum 30-day advance notice through the County Office of Emergency Management to the State Office of Emergency Management.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Recruit, organize, coordinate, and train a staff to administer the following Emergency Management functions and programs:

Alerting and Warning
Communications
Damage Assessment
Emergency Operating Center
Emergency Public Information
Evacuation
Fire and Rescue
Hazardous Materials
Health and Medical
In-Place Shelter
Law Enforcement
Public Works
Radiological Protection
Reception and Care
Resource Management
Social Services

THIS DIRECTIVE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY

Clinton L. Pagano
State Director
Office of Emergency Management

[anon;oqs9-0076]

Neither the Mayor nor our Administrator should have moved this appointment forward. It sure seems they never discussed this with the township attorney. This was clearly not in the best interest of the residents. This appointment of an ex mayor was in no way consistent with the intent or requirements of the regulation nor the concern for the Public Safety of the residents of Cranbury.

[anon-661o]

Did I read above the Democratic Party chair for cranbury is now the head of oem for cranbury? Shouldn’t the head of OEM be from the Cranbury police, fire or first aid or someone with OEM experience?

[anon-4138]

Why is it that this TC and Mayor Matt Scott are doing everything they can to ignore common sense government and public safety?

- Poor sidewalk condition in front of our houses Matt raises looking at putting in an ordinance to repair all sidewalks in town at taxpayer expense.

- Chief of Police is retiring. Let’s clearly ignore the law and put our head of the Democratic party in as head of emergency management. It doesn’t matter that the new Head of Emergency Management has no experience in Emergency Management as required by law.

Either the law was ignored by Mayor Matt Scott or the mayor never sought to know the law. The odd thing to me is the TC other than one person also sat silent as did the township Administrator who we pay to know the law. Something is fishy here.

- The school kicked out the library. Let’s kick the fire company out of the firehouse and hand it to the library.

- Library wants a new building. Let’s ignore that the TC last year agreed to a referendum if bonding is needed. Let’s instead try to force through a bond if we don’t get the grant.

[Fightback-499p]

[Guest 532-8o65]

To “Fightback”...AMEN!

[anon-7666]

The one and only member who did fight back on items like this OEM fiasco announced he’s not running again. He’s like the parents with kids who are in constant trouble and when they reach age 18 says okay, I’m done.

I wonder how many of these TC members will live in town in 10 years. We have only four former members still living here full time from the last 25 years- Susan, Dan, Glenn, Wayne and Alan.