SPECIAL ALERT FROM DISTRICT EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP

A Nor’easter is expected to impact the Jersey Shore and Delaware Bay areas, with the height of the storm predicted to be Saturday. Since this storm will affect the overwhelming majority of our district, please take the time now to prepare yourself, your family, and your property.

Before the storm:

• Secure boats, trailers, docks, loose equipment, and other items that could be damaged or become hazards.
• If your vessel is in the water, check mooring lines, bilge pumps, batteries, and other critical systems.
• Secure outdoor items at home.
• Make sure you have adequate food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and other emergency supplies.
• Charge phones, radios, and backup power sources.
• Fuel up your vehicle(s).
• Monitor local weather and emergency-management alerts.
• Be prepared for strong winds, coastal flooding, heavy rain, possible power outages, and hazardous travel conditions.
• Avoid unnecessary travel once conditions deteriorate.
• Test Generators if you have them. You do not have to fill the fuel tank       to test them; just enough to make sure they turn over. Ensure you have   enough fuel on hand to run them.

During the storm:

• Put personal and family safety first. Do not take unnecessary risks to check on boats, property, or other equipment.
• Follow  instructions from local emergency-management officials and first       responders.
• If you lose power, use generators and other alternate power sources safely and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not drive through flooded roadways.
• DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY
  

If you have an emergency:

For an immediate threat to life, serious injury, fire, or other emergency, call 911 and follow the direction of local first responders.

For non-life-threatening storm-related needs, contact your local emergency-management office, police, fire department, Coast Guard station, or other appropriate local service.

As soon as you are safely able, please notify your next-in-COLM of any emergency, significant damage, or situation involving a flotilla member or facility. Your next-in-COLM can help maintain situational awareness and relay information through the appropriate flotilla/division/district channels. Please remember that initial emergency help should be through your local 911 and area services. Your COLM will be able to help in the long term, but in the midst of the storm, many of us may be dealing with our own emergencies.

Please remember that your safety and the safety of your family come first. Do not put yourself at risk attempting to assist others or protect property during dangerous conditions. Do NOT self-deploy.

Stay safe, stay informed, and look out for one another.

Pam Thompson

DSO-EM, CGD-E-NR