Community Flood Trailers Ready to Roll [AUDIO]

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has supplied Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in four areas with specialized Flood Response Utility Trailers. The trailers are designed to enhance emergency response during times of crisis.

"The trailers are equipped with generators, submersible and cetrifugal pumps, various types of hoses, clean-up tools and other hardware," said Mary Geopfert, External Affairs Officer with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. "The four trailers join the fleet of CERT Utility Trailers bringing the total number to 86."

CERT teams in Salem County, Manville, Denville and Pompton Lakes received the trailers which, along with the equipment, are valued at over $10,000 each. They are funded by the United States Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.

Flooding is the most frequent hazard faced by New Jerseyans. There have been 1,196 flood events in the past 15 years, a number of which resulted in Presidential Disaster Declarations.

During recent flooding events and snowstorms, New Jersey CERT volunteers took a leadership role in helping their neighbors, staffing emergency operations centers and evacuee shelters and directing other volunteers. They worked nearly 42,000 hours during Hurricane Irene. Anyone interested in becoming a CERT volunteer is asked to call (609)-963-6995 and speak with Howard Butt, the New Jersey Citizen Corps Coordinator. CERT information can also be found by clicking here.