West Trenton, NJ - The Christie Administration announced today that $607,312 in Emergency Management Open Initiative (EMOI) Subgrants have been approved for 20 government, academic and private non-profit organizations. The EMOI Subgrant Program, which is administered by the NJ Office of Emergency Management, focuses on preparedness initiatives.

"It’s important to recognize and support innovation in emergency preparedness efforts among the various sectors of New Jersey's communities," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police superintendent and director of the Office of Emergency Management. These projects show great promise with regard to enhancing our State’s resilience against future disasters."

Applicants were encouraged to consider projects related to emergency planning, training, and exercising; hazard analyses, continuity of operations, access and functional needs planning, evacuation capabilities, resource management, shelter planning, improvement of incident response capability, alert and warning, communications and interoperability capability, or public education and awareness campaigns.

Below is a list of the grantees, project descriptions, and amounts approved:

Bright Minds Institute for Autism: $30,322 for GIS population density and asset mapping project to enhance inclusion of the disability community in emergency planning and response efforts in Hudson, Essex, Passaic and Bergen Counties.

City of Cape May:$35,000 for remotely controlled, emergency public address and communication system to be installed along the waterfront in Cape May City.

Edison First Aid and Rescue Squad 1: $5,050 to improve EMS and Rescue coverage along the Raritan River and nearby lakes, restoration of Marine 1 response boat to include upgraded technology, equipment and training.

Garwood Borough Police: $42,025 for the purchase of back-up communications equipment, portable generators and back-up generators for critical facilities.

Hillsborough Township Public Schools: $39,419 for multi-day expanded Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT) classes, first responder training regarding students with access and functional needs, school safety training for substitute teachers, and establishment of a Teen CERT program.

Lacey Township Office of Emergency Management: $49,915 for the establishment of an Emergency Management Interoperable Communications Channel for use by all township emergency services: $49,915.00

Metuchen Township Police: $9,520 for the purchase of a mobile message board to inform and educate residents of temporary traffic patterns and emergency notifications.

Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management: $50,000 for the purchase of rapid deployment vehicle assets for moving mass care supplies.

Neptune Office of Emergency Management: $24,000 for the purchase of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Enhanced Conventional Weapons (CBRNE) equipment to allow for multiple scenario training opportunities for volunteer HAZMAT team members.

NJ Administrative Office of the Courts: $18,736 to maintain the effectiveness of the New Jersey Judiciary Model Court Security Plan to assess new risks in the security environment, and inform emergency plan updates related to architectural elements, equipment and technology, personnel and standard operating procedures.

NJ Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory: $49,991 to enhance the Department's Biosafety Level 3 Lab’s standard operating procedures, and a training exercise related to animal disease outbreak and preparedness for a catastrophic event.

NJ Department of Corrections: $50,000 to enhance the Department’s Special Operations Group (SOG) capability for hazardous materials response, training for the SOG Correctional Emergency Response Team, improved interagency coordination, during events involving response, evacuation, shelter and identifying hazards.

NJ Emergency Preparedness Association: $25,000 to offset the costs of the training portion of the annual week-long annual training and preparedness conference; increase affordability for over 1500 conference participants.

NJ Department of Transportation: $24,930 for the purchase of equipment needed to support NJ Contra-Flow Evacuation Plans, to include generators and variable message boards.

NJ Institute for Disabilities: $37,729 for the Alianza Emergency Preparedness Project Plus (AEPPplus) – training of home health aides in disaster readiness and use of a self-directed emergency preparedness plan, emergency go-bags for clients, follow up with clients.

NJ Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: $4,700 for statewide disaster feeding table-top and full-scale exercises involving the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Community Food Bank of NJ and other organizations involved in disaster feeding, pre-exercise training.

Office of the NJ State Climatologist, Rutgers University (ONJSC): $49,998 to maintain New Jersey Weather Net Stations operated by the ONJSC, ensuring hardware/software stability, improving data accuracy, improving "weather ready" web portal, conducting of training, continue ONJSC support during adverse weather conditions.

Springfield Township Police: $12,300 for the purchase of rescue boat and equipment; Achilles Inflatable Vehicle and related equipment.

Tabernacle Township Office of Emergency Management: $3,340 for community disaster preparedness awareness and outreach, with increased emphasis on households who have a member with access and functional needs, direct mailing, reverse 9-1-1, information booths at various locations, direct visits to household upon request.

Union County Office of Emergency Management: $45,533 for consultant support for County's application for the National Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP).

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