Sheriff Fontoura Discusses Emergency Management Procedures and Homeland Security Plans with Livingston Old Guard
Livingston – On Tuesday, May 12th, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura addressed the Livingston Old Guard at their monthly meeting which was held at the Senior and Community Center on Hillside Avenue.
Sheriff Fontoura talked about the role and operations of the Essex County Office of Emergency Management and the Essex County Office of Homeland Security. The sheriff also serves as county coordinator of the two offices.
Sheriff Fontoura noted that the county offices of emergency management and homeland security have provided training for more than 12,000 Essex County First Responders, Citizen Emergency Response Team members, local health care providers, school officials and others in the private sector. The training includes disaster preparedness, Weapons of Mass Destruction awareness, CPR, fire suppression, medical operations, search and rescue, HAZMAT awareness, and Incident Command Systems.
“We have conducted scores of emergency management and homeland security drills throughout Essex County,” the sheriff said. “Our mission is to direct an ‘all hazards’ response plan to any natural or manmade disaster, including acts of terrorism.”
The New York Times has previously categorized the area to the north and south of Newark Liberty International Airport as “America’s most dangerous mile”.
“Essex County is a target rich location for potential acts of terrorism,” Sheriff Fontoura pointed out. “Our home county is the financial, industrial and transportation center of New Jersey. Add to this mix, chemical refineries, natural gas storage tanks, power plants, a daily population of nearly 2 million people and you have all the ingredients for a major disaster.”
Sheriff Fontoura also observed that northern New Jersey was the planning and staging ground for the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. “In 1993, the terrorists used Jersey City as their headquarters. The attackers in 2001 are known to have rented places to stay in northern New Jersey.”
Before taking questions for Old Guard members, the sheriff advised the group to remain alert and report all suspicious activities to law enforcement.
Following the sheriff’s presentation, Livingston Old Guard board member Fred Koehler said, “Our membership was treated to an eye-opening experience. It is comforting to know that law enforcement agencies, such as the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, has enhanced their capabilities in emergency management and homeland security, in addition to continuing its traditional crime-fighting role.”
Sheriff Armando Fontoura (2nd from left) discussed emergency management and homeland security operations with members of the Livingston Old Guard. Front row (left to right) board member Fred Koehler, Tony Buglisi, Old Guard President Marvin Hauptman, Secretary Angelo DeGirolamo and Nick Pulitano attended the event at the Senior and Community Recreation Center.
Sheriff Fontoura talked about the role and operations of the Essex County Office of Emergency Management and the Essex County Office of Homeland Security. The sheriff also serves as county coordinator of the two offices.
Sheriff Fontoura noted that the county offices of emergency management and homeland security have provided training for more than 12,000 Essex County First Responders, Citizen Emergency Response Team members, local health care providers, school officials and others in the private sector. The training includes disaster preparedness, Weapons of Mass Destruction awareness, CPR, fire suppression, medical operations, search and rescue, HAZMAT awareness, and Incident Command Systems.
“We have conducted scores of emergency management and homeland security drills throughout Essex County,” the sheriff said. “Our mission is to direct an ‘all hazards’ response plan to any natural or manmade disaster, including acts of terrorism.”
The New York Times has previously categorized the area to the north and south of Newark Liberty International Airport as “America’s most dangerous mile”.
“Essex County is a target rich location for potential acts of terrorism,” Sheriff Fontoura pointed out. “Our home county is the financial, industrial and transportation center of New Jersey. Add to this mix, chemical refineries, natural gas storage tanks, power plants, a daily population of nearly 2 million people and you have all the ingredients for a major disaster.”
Sheriff Fontoura also observed that northern New Jersey was the planning and staging ground for the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. “In 1993, the terrorists used Jersey City as their headquarters. The attackers in 2001 are known to have rented places to stay in northern New Jersey.”
Before taking questions for Old Guard members, the sheriff advised the group to remain alert and report all suspicious activities to law enforcement.
Following the sheriff’s presentation, Livingston Old Guard board member Fred Koehler said, “Our membership was treated to an eye-opening experience. It is comforting to know that law enforcement agencies, such as the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, has enhanced their capabilities in emergency management and homeland security, in addition to continuing its traditional crime-fighting role.”
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