FEMA Recognizes County Emergency Management Director

COURT HOUSE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognized Pagliughi for his groundbreaking work as Director of the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Pagliughi’s work has been recognized twice in as many months as Director when he received an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACO) in July, 2014 for the creation of a pet trailer to house and care for family pets in the wake of Sandy.
In a press release issued Aug. 11, 2014 by FEMA, Pagliughi is recognized as an innovator for finding and securing the necessary space for four shelters in the County, where there were none, and most specifically, for the creation of the first pet shelter in Avalon as the Borough’s Mayor and the head of the Office of Emergency Management.
“The national recognition by FEMA for the work of OEM Director Martin Pagliughi has positioned him as a leader in the field of disaster awareness,” said Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton. “Our county has already benefited from his knowledge and expertise and FEMA, a federal agency whose mission is to lead America to prepare for disasters, has recognized Marty’s proven leadership among his peers.”
The FEMA release stated “as Sandy made its way toward New Jersey, Pagliughi moved quickly to take preventative measures and prepare for the storm’s aftermath.” The Federal Agency who leads “America to prepare, respond to and recover from disasters” also recognizes Pagliughi for creating an emergency website for Avalon that integrated reverse 911, allowing residents and other observers to get important, updated information during Hurricane Sandy, as well as photos and live video.
In his early tenure with the County, Pagliughi has upgraded the Emergency website, secured several high-wheeled vehicles free for rescue and evacuation purposes through the government surplus program and formed a volunteer group to address a pet shelter initiative. He formed the Cape May County Animal Response Team (CART) comprised of volunteers including emergency responders, animal care providers, animal control representatives, shelter personnel, and county residents who love and care for animals.