WEST TRENTON, NJ - The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management today supplied Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in four municipalities with specialized Flood Response Utility Trailers. The trailers will enhance the communities’ emergency response capabilities during times of crisis and assist first responders during flooding events. Riverine flooding is the most frequent hazard faced by New Jersey residents, with 1,196 flood events in the past 15 years, many of which have resulted in Presidential Disaster Declarations.

"New Jersey is proud to be one of the nation’s largest CERT programs, with over 17,000 volunteers, organized into 430 teams. As we continue to build this essential emergency management program, we will enhance our volunteers' efforts by equipping them with tools such as the Flood Response Utility Trailers to compliment their training and undying dedication to their fellow residents’ safety," said Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Hatfield, Deputy Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Homeland Security Branch, and Chairman of the New Jersey Citizen’s Corps Council.

The Flood Response Utility Trailers are strategically located across New Jersey. Each trailer is equipped with generators, submersible and centrifugal pumps, various types of hoses, clean-up tools and other hardware items. The trailers and equipment are valued at over $10,000 each; they are funded by the United States Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.

Today’s deployment brings the total number of CERT Utility Trailers in New Jersey to 86.

The following CERT teams received Utility Trailers:

• Salem County CERT
• Manville Township CERT (Somerset County)
• Denville Township CERT (Morris County)
• Pompton Lakes CERT (Passaic County)

"The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will continue to support this valuable program and empower CERT volunteers as they selflessly continue their commitment to the state and its residents during an emergency," added Hatfield.

The New Jersey Citizen Corps is a volunteer program directed by NJOEM. It includes the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service and Fire Corps. New Jersey Citizen Corps and New Jersey CERT are one of the largest programs of their kind in the nation. Citizen Corps volunteers are ordinary citizens who supplement and support their area’s first responders. The volunteers undergo basic emergency management training including fire suppression, first aid and triage, search and rescue and disaster psychology.

During crises, including Hurricane Irene and the recent early season snowstorm, New Jersey CERT volunteers have taken a leadership role in helping their neighbors; staffing emergency operations centers and evacuee shelters; directing the activities of other volunteers; and searching for missing children. New Jersey CERT and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers worked nearly 42,000 hours in response to Hurricane Irene.

Citizen Corps volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Anyone can participate, regardless of their level of physical ability. Those interested should call (609) 963-6995 and speak with Howard Butt, the New Jersey Citizen Corps Coordinator. CERT information can also be found at www.ready.nj.gov.

To stay informed about disasters and emergencies in New Jersey via social media, follow the NJOEM on Twitter @ReadyNJ, "like" us on www.facebook.com/READYNEWJERSEY, or get email and text message alerts via www.Nixle.com or www.njalert.gov.