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Jersey Shore Officials Collaborate on
Community Preparedness & Disaster Readiness

Jersey Shore officials met at the Jersey Shore Hospital on Tuesday, Oct. 30 to discuss community preparedness planning and better prepare the community for any serious incident or emergency.

JERSEY SHORE, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 - Preparation was the operative word Monday evening as a group of Jersey Shore officials met at the Jersey Shore Hospital to collaborate on community preparedness and disaster readiness strategies. The meeting, which included government, emergency services, fire, police and hospital officials, featured a roundtable-style discussion on disaster planning initiatives and operations.

According to Lou Ditzel, President and CEO of Jersey Shore Hospital, the meeting was held to update information and share new initiatives and ideas among the community's key emergency agencies and personnel.

"Given the new realities we have confronted since September, we felt it was prudent to increase the dialogue and collaboration between our agencies and law enforcement. Community hospital's, EMS and police and fire resources are always prepared for catastrophic events but recent occurrences have reinforced the need for us to increase our state of readiness. The threat of biological or chemical attack has also created a new role for healthcare providers. We have become a line of defense and with the new role comes new responsibilities," noted Ditzel.

The group's discussions centering on existing emergency response plans for the region and new initiatives that have been implemented in recent weeks to increase preparations for the threat of bioterrorism.

The hospital unveiled its revised "Emergency Incident Command System," which now matches the command structure used by local, State and Federal emergency response agencies. The new command structure will improve the hospital's response to internal and external emergencies and enhance communication and coordination with other agencies. Hospital officials also shared information regarding some of the other important steps that have been taken by the hospital to increase support in the event the area is affected by a biological or hazardous chemical event. Ditzel noted that the hospital has utilized the resources of the Center for Disease Control to update clinicians on treatment protocols and will continue to sponsor and provide educational support to area clinicians, EMS and support staff as new information is made available.

Jersey Shore Mayor Ralph Lehman expressed his support and encouraged those present to hold ongoing meetings to coordinate their efforts, especially during the current national crisis.

"I am encouraged by these efforts to protect our community and the health and safety of our friends and neighbors. It is reassuring to know we have resources and assets to do this job and while this is something you do not like to think about, much less talk about, we have to be realistic and prepared for the worst," says Lehman.

Others joining hospital officials and the mayor were Marlene Phillips, Jersey Shore EMS; Denny Buttorf, Jersey Shore Emergency Management Coordinator; and Martin Jeirles, Jersey Shore Chief of Police.

The group is scheduled to meet again at the end of November.