County Chamber Votes Partnership with Emergency Management; Self-Help Advocated Until Agencies Respond

AVALON – “We are the cavalry,” declared Martin Pagliughi, Cape May County emergency management coordinator to the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce July 16.
Speaking on his home turf, a municipality that has proven to federal government officials that planning pays dividends when it comes to storm mitigation, Pagliughi, also borough mayor, spoke on the topic of Public-Private Partnership, then asked the chamber to join “and have a seat at the table” for pre-storm and other emergency planning.
A veteran of Superstorm Sandy recovery in the county overseeing the Office of Emergency Management, Pagliughi told the membership at the Rock N Chair Restaurant they are the cavalry.
Pagliughi said as business owners, they, along with municipal government, will have to be capable of operating post-storm from 72 to 96 hours before various government agencies can mobilize and be ready to aid local residents.
“We have to be ready to stand by ourselves,” he said. “We know that there will be another event,” he said. Thus, businesses ought to be prepared for electrical outages, staffing difficulties, and other disruptions.
After the presentation, Chamber Chairman Scott Campbell asked for a show of sentiment to form such a partnership with the Office of Emergency Management. All in attendance who were members approved by a hand vote. Campbell then asked Pagliughi when would be a good time for the chamber to meet. Pagliughi replied, “It’s already hurricane season.”
As soon as volunteers step forward, the committee will be meeting with officials from the county Office of Emergency Management to begin the work of preplanning.
Pagliughi told members “There is going to be weather, or a terrorism event,” and those are among the reasons why planning is needed in advance.
Municipalities have the responsibility to have their entire staff responsible for some facet of emergency response, Pagliughi said.
Speaking from experience, he said if an event, such as a hurricane, is likely to strike on a Friday, he advised that municipalities plan to let their workers off on Wednesday in order to make preparations for their families to be safe, so that they will be able to fully devote their attention to post-event work in the municipality.
Pagliughi noted that a memorandum of understanding with agencies and organizations are useful, especially when it comes to reimbursement by FEMA. He noted that such an arrangement was made with the Middle Township Board of Education for its buses to be used to evacuate to shelters.
Prior to a storm or other event, it’s very helpful to have a database of what firms can provide assistance, and which may be able to seek quantities of supplies from their national distribution chain. It is also important to have databases in place with banks and other financial institutions, utilities, contractors and others.
Citing pre-planning in Avalon, Pagliughi noted that it had agreements with firms to clear away storm debris, thus freeing public works employees for other areas of concern. Similarly, he said the firm had been contracted that restored the Pentagon following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Its specialty is restoring government offices to full operation, he said.
With a chamber committee sitting at the table, county businesses would also have a desk in the basement of the County Library Building on Mechanic Street, Court House, where other agencies, utilities and organizations are stationed when an emergency is declared.
Those persons stay there for 12 hour shifts, Pagliughi said.
That would enable them to share first-hand information through the Internet and phone calls to their members.