The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is responsible for training emergency responders and civilian personnel to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. OEM also oversees and administers several critical programs that support public safety and emergency readiness throughout the City.
These programs include personnel-based initiatives such as the Auxiliary Police Unit, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Local Emergency Planning Council. OEM also manages essential emergency communications systems, including the Citywide Emergency Radio Communication System and the Public Emergency Notification Systems. In addition, OEM oversees financial programs related to emergency preparedness and recovery, including FEMA grants, State grants, and federal disaster reimbursement programs.
To strengthen community resilience, OEM maintains and updates the City Emergency Operations Plan, disaster response plans, the Municipal Continuity of Operations Plan, and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. OEM also manages the City Emergency Operations Center and the Mobile Command Center, which are used by command staff to coordinate response efforts during emergencies.
The mission of the Office of Emergency Management is carried out by a dedicated staff that includes a Coordinator, a Deputy Coordinator, and operations personnel. The City of Perth Amboy OEM is one of only a few municipalities in the county recognized by state and federal agencies as a recipient of federal grant funding in support of emergency management operations. The City has consistently met the high standards required to qualify for this funding for more than 25 years.
Over the past 25 years, the Office of Emergency Management has managed response and recovery efforts for more than 25 presidentially declared disasters of varying types. Through the diligent work of OEM staff, the City of Perth Amboy has secured more than $75 million in FEMA reimbursements related to disaster recovery.
Following Superstorm Sandy, the City received 100 percent reimbursement, including 90 percent from FEMA and 10 percent through a non-federal cost share program funded by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Perth Amboy is also the only municipality in New Jersey to receive a favorable report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General following a comprehensive review of federal funds received for Superstorm Sandy recovery. The review found no discrepancies and documented effective management of all federal disaster funds.