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NJOEM Expands Special Needs Registry for Disasters
WEST TRENTON, N.J. — In conjunction with National Disabilities Awareness Month, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is pleased to announce the expansion of the Register Ready program, New Jersey’s special needs registry for disasters. Register Ready is a free, voluntary and confidential program designed to assist people with special needs who may find it difficult to get to safety in the event of an emergency. Initially introduced as a pilot program in the spring of 2008 to the Garden State’s coastal counties, Register Ready is now available in the state’s following counties: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer. As such, NJOEM is working to continue the program’s expansion until all 21 counties are included. Currently more than 6,400 New Jerseyans with disabilities have signed up with Register Ready. "Expansion of the Register Ready program into four more counties is an important step for New Jersey to help people with disabilities prepare themselves for emergencies and disaster," said Norman A. Smith, Associate Executive Director of Project Freedom and Chair of the NJ Statewide Independent Living Council. "People with disabilities and senior citizens need to have an emergency plan, disaster supplies, and register themselves with Register Ready." People with disabilities (or caregivers on their behalf) are encouraged to register electronically, if possible, by accessing www.registerready.nj.gov. Alternatively, they can call New Jersey’s toll-free 2-1-1 telephone service. This service will register people, offer free translation, and provide TTY services for the hearing-impaired. Paper registration forms are also available from the above mentioned county offices of emergency management, by contacting one of the following phone numbers or addresses:
Additionally, numerous community, civic, faith-based, medical, and non-profit organizations are also helping to register people with disabilities. “The time to get Register Ready is now,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. In addition to this great program, make an evacuation plan for yourself, your family, and your pets. Prepare a readiness kit of things you’ll need to have with you if you must evacuate or shelter in place for an extended period of time. Talk now to friends and family who can help you get to safety when a crisis hits,” Colonel Fuentes added.
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