For Immediate Release:
September 14, 2009
Mass text and email emergency notification available
NJ Alert delivers messages from
NJ emergency management officials
FREEHOLD – The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Regional Operations Intelligence Center are pleased to introduce NJ Alert, the State's new mass text and email emergency notification system.
NJ Alert is free and allows state emergency management officials to send email or text messages to cell phones and other email-enabled devices during an emergency. The public can sign up for NJ Alert by logging on to: www.njalert.gov or by visiting the NJOEM Web site at www.ready.nj.gov and clicking on the NJ Alert icon.
“The county’s Office of Emergency Management is working to promote the state’s alert system as a way to keep residents informed in the event of an emergency at the county level as well,” said Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow, liaison to the department. “I encourage Monmouth County residents to take action today.”
“During an emergency, timely dissemination of accurate information is the cornerstone of public safety,” said Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. “NJ Alert enables us to deliver emergency messages to the public through the convenience of their handheld devices or PCs, in addition to our traditional emergency notification systems such as the Emergency Alert System and Amber Alert.
“NJ Alert will help direct public action in the event of a large-scale emergency, whether we are dealing with a hurricane or act of terrorism,” Fuentes continued. “Our goal is to utilize latest technology to protect lives and property.”
Additionally, NJ Alert can receive homeland security and crime-related tips and leads via the www.njalert.gov site or via text messaging.
“Ensuring our residents have accurate and real-time information before, during and after any type of emergency is a fundamental responsibility – one that we don’t take lightly,” said New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Richard L. Cañas. “I encourage all residents to sign up for the NJ Alert system because a well-informed and well-prepared citizenry is critical to the success of our state’s emergency management efforts.”
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