Westwood Needs Deputy Emergency Coordinator

Westwood officials are looking for a deputy coordinator to join the borough's Office of Emergency Management.

The borough's office has been operating with just a coordinator, Darren Blankenbush, who is also the fire marshal. A directive from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management states that the coordinator must appoint a deputy coordinator, to be approved by the mayor.

The OEM is responsible for coordinating the efforts of police, firefighters, EMTs, the DPW and others during emergencies.

Councilman Robert Miller said during Tuesday's council meeting that he would begin searching for candidates for the position.

The borough's 2012 salary ordinance appropriated a minimum $750 stipend for the deputy OEM coordinator.

Borough Administrator Robert Hoffmann said during the meeting that the OEM may also move into a room in the which is currently being used for storage. The room will need a new door, additional power sockets and a second data port for OEM use, Hoffmann said.

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