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Emergency management outlines volunteer training, sheltering and Everbridge robocall system
Summary
The Office of Emergency Management described a community responder training in spring 2025, Red Cross‑certified sheltering, Everbridge geocoded emergency notices and mutual‑aid arrangements for water and firefighting support.
John Sharp James, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, briefed the Newark Municipal Council on Jan. 14 about the city’s emergency‑management activities, including a planned community Mercy (Community Emergency) Response Team training, sheltering coordination with the American Red Cross, and the use of the state’s Everbridge geographic notification system.
James said OEM plans a voluntary community response training in April or May to teach residents basic life‑safety skills — CPR, bleeding control, triage assessment, psychological first aid and hazardous‑materials awareness. The director said participants must be at least 18, pass a background check and sign a confidentiality agreement. James said some similar programs in other cities have been discontinued when volunteers interfered with emergency responders, and he emphasized that volunteers will be authorized to act only when instructed.
On sheltering and public notice, James said the city works closely with the Red Cross, which certifies shelters. He said rec centers across Newark had been certified by the Red Cross and that the city has an Everbridge arrangement with the state allowing geocoded emergency robocalls to landlines and mobile phones within affected areas.
Other points: - Mutual aid: James said the city has mutual‑aid agreements with county and neighboring fire departments and can request federal assistance (National Guard) if local resources are exhausted. - Drones: the city is preparing to purchase two drones for situational awareness, but federal approvals and privacy reviews are delaying acquisition. - FEMA reimbursement: James said OEM pursues FEMA reimbursement for debris and storm costs and maintains records for recoveries.
Council members asked about evacuation routes, signage, and shelter locations; James said shelter locations and rec centers are certified and the state’s geofencing system would be used to notify affected residents. He also discussed working with housing authorities and senior facilities on evacuation and response planning and said OEM would produce materials and links (Red Cross/FEMA) for residents and city staff to use.
Why it matters: The briefing covered public‑safety systems and resident training that the director said will improve response capacity for fires, storms and other emergencies. Council members requested flyers and public outreach to inform residents about what to have at home and how to use the notification systems.
