Web site has info about emergency preparedness
With almost 600,000 people calling Ocean County home, it is important that they have the right information to help them through an emergency.

"Today we are launching a new Web site that will help our residents and visitors navigate the steps needed to be taken before, during and after an emergency," said Ocean County Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, who serves as Director of Law and Public Safety. "I encourage our residents to visit this Web site whether it be for up-to-the-minute information during an actual emergency or to help a family put together an emergency plan."

According to a press release, the emergency preparedness Web site can be accessed from the Ocean County government information home page at co.ocean.nj.us

"By clicking on the words 'Be Prepared' you will be taken to the new Web site," Kelly noted. "It's easy to access and the information is easy to locate."

Prepared by the Ocean County Department of Information Technology and the Division of Public Information with the help of Ocean County's Office of Emergency Management and Sheriff William L. Polhemus, the Web site can help residents and visitors alike plan, prepare and perhaps weather an emergency in Ocean County, according to the press release.

"This information is also readily available through a number of brochures provided by the Sheriff 's Department and Emergency Management," said Polhemus. "The Web site brings it all into one place that is convenient to access. This will be a very useful informational tool for our residents and visitors."

Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to Information Technology, noted that in addition to information on emergency preparedness, the Web site features a special area for the latest emergency management updates.

Visitors to the site can learn what to do before an emergency like a forest fire or hurricane occurs.

In addition, there is information on how to take care of pets during an emergency, a list of what you need to take should you be evacuated, a list of evacuation shelters, the telephone numbers for municipal offices of emergency management and some helpful links to government and other agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Administration and weather services.

"I would like to thank all the departments that worked on this Web site in addition to Drew Scarantino, a summer intern in the public information office," Kelly said. "This was a cooperative effort that will provide many benefits to the residents."