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

  1. 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:
  1. Alerting and Warning
  2. Communications
  3. Damage Assessment
  4. Emergency Operating Center
  5. Emergency Public Information
  6. Evacuation
  7. Fire and Rescue
  8. Hazardous Materials
  9. Health and Medical
  10. In-Place Shelter
  11. Law Enforcement
  12. Public Works
  13. Radiological Protection
  14. Reception and Care
  15. Resource Management
  16. Social Services
  • THIS DIRECTIVE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY

Clinton L. Pagano
State Director
Office of Emergency Management

 

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