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10/8/2010 - Special Needs Registry Prepares People for Disasters

October 8, 2010  

In conjunction with National Disability Awareness Month in October, Somerset County is encouraging residents to sign up for the New Jersey Register Ready Registry.  This registry is a safety net for residents who may find it difficult to evacuate during an emergency.

“The New Jersey Special Needs Registry is free, voluntary, and strictly confidential. It is designed to help people who may have difficulty during an evacuation because of physical or cognitive limitations, language barriers or lack of transportation,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh, human services liaison.

 

 

“Registering will help first responders, such as police, fire and rescue squad personnel, make the best use of limited time and resources to help people with no other options for evacuation during an emergency,” she said.

 

 

Residents with special needs, or caregivers on their behalf, can register electronically at www.registerready.nj.gov.  Registration online is available in numerous languages.  Or, they can call New Jersey’s toll-free 2-1-1 telephone service, which will register residents, offer free translation and provide TTY services for hearing-impaired individuals.

 

 

Additionally, residents may obtain paper registration forms from their municipality’s Office of Emergency Management or they can print them from the Somerset County website at   www.co.somerset.nj.us/division/emergencyman.html.  All forms and inquiries should be sent to the resident’s municipality.   A listing of Somerset County municipalities is available on the Somerset County website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/towndir.html

For further information please contact the Somerville Office of Emergency Management at (908) 725-0331 or e-mail to   OEM@somervillepd.org

 

 

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