State of Emergency

New Jersey State law (New Jersey Statutes Annotated Appendix A:9-37) allows the Governor and County and Local Emergency Management Coordinators to declare a State of Emergency during significant weather events and natural disasters. The emergency declaration is a tool used by the government officials who are managing the emergency. It allows State agencies to quickly respond to needs of citizens, reassign personnel, and deploy vehicles, trucks, and equipment to respond to the incident. A State of Emergency allows the government to act more quickly than it can during non-emergency times.

Awareness

What does this mean to you? When a State of Emergency is issued, State and/or local Emergency Management officials will communicate with New Jersey’s citizens through traditional media outlets such as television, radio and newspapers, and through other information channels, such as the Internet or the Emergency Alert System. Citizens should pay close attention to news reports when a State of Emergency is announced.

Travel Restrictions

At times, travel restrictions are part of a State of Emergency. This is typically done to allow snowplows to clear the roads. At other times government offices may be closed, or evacuations may be recommended. A State of Emergency permits government officials to recommend specific actions that citizens should take to insure the safety of their families and homes during the emergency. Each emergency is different, and different factors will impact the decisions made by State officials in response to the incident.

Large and small private businesses should make informed decisions about:

• Cancellations and closures based on current and impending weather conditions
• Delayed openings
• Designation of essential employees
• Early closures
• Emergency plans and policies of your organization
• Restrictions on travel

If travel restrictions are put into place, it will limit whether or not employees can travel to your work site.