Bernardsville Police Chief Sends Letter on Sandy Procedures

The following letter was released by Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine late Sunday night.

A Letter to Bernardsville Residents from the Police Department Office of Emergency Management,

As the brunt of Hurricane Sandy begins its assault on our area we must all be mindful of the fact that this is a dangerous storm. High winds, falling trees, downed power lines and localized flooding will present challenges that will have to be faced and overcome.  Residents are urged to seek safe shelter and stay put during the storm.  Now is the time to put our preparations behind us and focus on staying safe during this difficult time. Following is some important information to help keep you safe. 

NOTIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION

The Bernardsville Police Department Office of Emergency Management has several methods place to communicate important information to you during this storm.  They are as follows:

• Updated information about the storm will be posted on the Bernardsville Police Department Website at www.bernardsvillepd.org as it becomes available. The information topics posted will scroll in the Community Events Box on the home page. Click on the link to obtain the updated information. Information such as road closures, water supply issues, safety hazards, shelters and available resources will be made available.
• Residents and businesses are encouraged to register for emergency alerts and information on our Community Alert System. There is a link on the website of the home page to do this. The Alert System will send messages from the Police Department to residents and businesses through phone calls to land based telephone numbers in the Borough. You are urged to register cell phone numbers on this system and to provide an email address to receive email messages.
• Situation updates will be provided to local news media (print media and local radio) for publication as they see fit. Media sources are often a good source of information as they collect information from a variety of sources. The television news media typically does not provide information to our specific community. 
• Some information will be available on an electronic message board displayed in town at a location appropriate to the situation and the intended audience.
• Information is available at Police HQ and at the Bernardsville Public Library at the Community Resource Center in the Community Room.
• In certain emergent situations emergency responders, members of the Community Emergency Response Team and OEM volunteers might go door to door with important critical information.

In most cases receiving this important information is dependent on technology, telephone or media access.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU KEEP YOUR CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES CHARGED.  Regular telephone service may not be available to receive messages. Public buildings that have power may make their facilities available for charging. Obtain and use a car charger for your cell phone.

REPORTING EMERGENCIES

911 is your life line. Call 911 to report life threatening and serious emergencies.  When you call 911 a dispatcher at the Somerset County Communication Center will answer your call and alert local police, fire and EMS services to your situation. Other less serious situations can be reported directly to the Bernardsville Police Department at 908-766-0037. 

IMPORTANT NOTE - Use your regular phone first as a 911 cell phone call may be directed to a 911 operator from outside our local area and delay our response.  If your regular telephone does not work, then use your cell phone.  As a last resort you can email your call for help to police@bernardsvillepd.org or walk to a neighbor or busy street to alert passing motorists of your need for assistance.

It is a good practice to buddy up and keep tabs on neighbors and family members who might require assistance.

DURING THE STORM

• Stay indoors! Do not wander outside as falling trees, downed power lines and flying debris may pose a serious hazard. (During last year’s storm a large tree limb fell on and seriously injured a local resident hiking in the woods)
• Keep away from windows and stay in an interior area of your home.
• If you smell gas evacuate to a safe place and call 911.
• Do not go near or touch exposed electrical wires that may have fallen outside your home.
• Look and listen for emergency weather alerts and community alerts that might be issued.
• Ensure any generators are hooked up and used properly.  Any generator should be installed and checked by a qualified electrician during use.  Check the Bernardsville Police website for information about this topic.
• Do not attempt to refuel a hot generator of one that is running.
• Generators used in the rain or near water can pose an electrical hazard. Use caution.
• Do not operate generators of other gas powered equipment such as heaters, pumps or propane grills indoors.
• If you feel unsafe at any time and require evacuation call the police for assistance.

SHELTER INFORMATION

The Bernardsville Office of Emergency Management, Coordinates shelter activities with the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross.  A local shelter may or may not be open in our community during and after the event.  Shelter alternatives are as follows:

1. Shelter in place at home in a safe location.
2. Shelter at a friend or family members home in a safe location.
3. Seek local shelter in our community if available. (Call 908-766-0037 or visit the Police Department for information.)
4. The Red Cross normally operates shelters in the area.  A shelter locator is found on their website at http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/
5. The Bernardsville Police Department will be able to provide shelter information for you if needed.

Local Shelter Procedures

In the event a local community shelter in Bernardsville is opened, and you want to shelter at a local location, the following procedures will apply.

1. The local OEM will work with the County OEM and Red Cross to open a shelter at a pre-determined location in the Borough.  This will most likely be at a school or church in the community according to pre-established plans and facility availability.
2. A Shelter Reception Center will be established at the Bernardsville Public Library at 2 Anderson Hill Road in Bernardsville. 
3. Any person seeking shelter should go to the Library.  The Reception Center will be staffed with CERT and OEM Shelter Volunteers. This staff will provide you with information, check you in and direct you to the appropriate available shelter.  Transportation will be provided if needed. 
4. Bernardsville residents should not just go to a shelter without going to the Library first if the Community Resource Center is operational. 

UTILITIES INFORMATION

JCPL Electric – Residents are urged to report power outages directly to JCPL at   

1-888-544-4877 or https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html

This is very important in order for JCPL to plan restoration response. Do not call the Police for non-emergency power outages.  If the outage involves live power wires down, fire or safety issues call 911 or 908-766-0037.

PSE&G – (Gas Company) 800-436-PSEG (7734) – Emergency Report, http://www.pseg.com/family/pseandg/index.jsp

New Jersey American Water Company, 1-800-652-6987 (1-800-NJ AM WTR): For customers whose accounts begin with 18

1-800-272-1325: For customers whose accounts begin 52, 53, 54, 55

E-mail: infonj@amwater.com                 

AFTER THE STORM

After the storm passes it is important to understand that a State of Emergency will still be in effect. There will be travel restrictions in place for your safety and to allow emergency responders to do their jobs and provide for your safety!

Give road crews, utilities and emergency responders time to mitigate hazards!

Do not wander through the neighborhood or travel in your car unnecessarily as there will be power lines that will pose an immediate life safety hazards.  Avoid all wires as it is often difficult to tell if they pose a danger.

1. Many roads will be closed.
2. Do not remove barricades or detour signs.
3. Follow all detours and obey all posted warnings.
4. Do not drive through flooded roads.
5. Listen for local alerts and emergency telephone messages.
6. Tune into local media for information about when it is safe to move around.
7. Survey your property for safety hazards.
8. Do not allow children to explore for their own safety.

10.  Do check in on neighbors to make sure they are safe. Use caution.

Fresh Potable Water Supply

• If you are serviced by a private well and have no water, watering stations will be available at the Bernardsville Fire House, The Bernardsville Pool and the Bernardsville Library. Water will only be available after the public water supply has been deemed safe to drink by health officials.
• If you utilize a public water supply check local media outlets to ensure the water is safe to drink and listen for local health alerts that may be posted.
• If you are immune compromised due to a health or medical condition drink only commercial bottled water or follow the directions of your health care professional.

At the end of the day we will find that this emergency has been taxing on everyone including your local emergency responders.  Members of the Bernardsville Police Dept., Office of Emergency Management, Volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Squad, Department of Public Works, the Community Emergency Response Team, elected officials and OEM Shelter Volunteers have given up their time to keep you safe. Please show them your support and respect by cooperating with them in their efforts.  Look out for yourself and one another. Stay safe!

Sincerely,

Kevin Valentine

Chief of Police, Emergency Management Coordinator