EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Religious leaders from three neighboring counties will assemble April 13 at an Egg Harbor Township church where a representative from New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness will address safety and security in houses of worship.
The training, called Active Shooter Preparedness Training, has been arranged by Tri-County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, or COAD, which is a large association of local key responders who work in conjunction with county Offices of Emergency Management and FEMA when called upon for support following a declared disaster.
“In response to recent national tragedies, our Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland County COAD saw the need to give support to our faith-based leadership. This training is an important education piece that will provide an opportunity for them to be better informed and prepared,” said Stephen Altman, COAD Chairman.
The training will be presented by Ed Moore, a Trainer with NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, NJOHSP. Moore will discuss other active shooter incidents; instruction on how to develop an Active Shooter Plan (plan for, react to and recover), how to assess for vulnerabilities and other strategies. An opportunity for a Q & A will also be offered to those in attendance.
Moore has worked with NJOHSP since September of 2004. He also has extensive experience in law enforcement and has served as a United States Marine.
An outreach campaign – including mail, email and media outlets – to contact leaders at more than 350 houses of worship was coordinated by COAD members. There is no cost to attend the training.
Faith-based leadership may RSVP to Karen Williams at 609 652-3800 ext. 311. The Active Shooter Preparedness Training is 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., April 13, at the Church of St. Katharine Drexel, 6075 West Jersey Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County.
Tri-County COAD is comprised of local government, faith based organizations, regional and national nonprofits, and businesses with experience in all aspects of disaster relief/recovery as well as health and human service.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?