Emergency Management

The tragic events of "911" and subsequent global events have made us all very aware of the necessity for adequate emergency response capabilities. Rest assured that the City of Englewood's Police and Fire Departments are ready to serve and protect the residents, businesses, and visitors of Englewood.

The City Manager and the Office of Emergency Management have the following emergency operating procedures under the policy direction of the City Council and with the cooperation of the Mayor.

Most emergencies typically involve more than one town, therefore the County of Bergen is responsible for coordinating responses to crises. The Bergen County Emergency Management telephone number is 201-634-3100. The County of Bergen, the State of New Jersey (State Police), and the FBI issue emergency response orders and are in contact with the Englewood Police and Fire Departments.

We must stress the fact that the odds are strong that an act of terrorism will not occur inside Englewood's boundaries. However, since many of our residents work outside of town, taking the time now to plan for an emergency allows us to remain calmer and in control should one occur. There is an evacuation plan in the event that residents have to be displaced. Residents of Englewood will be notified via reverse 911, radio and major television networks, public announcement equipment (audio and traffic billboards), and the City of Englewood's Website.

Residents are urged to first seek and listen for the aforementioned means of notification and not inundate the 911 call center.

After a review of emergency response material, the City of Englewood has some suggestions for preparing our citizens should an emergency - including a terrorist attack - hit close to home:

  1. If you are at home please stay there. Treat the situation seriously, but do not panic. Better communication can take place when you stay calm.
  2. It is recommended to have a reliable flashlight, portable radio, or television with extra batteries in a place that all in your house are familiar with.
  3. While at home, residents should stay current with news updates through AM/FM radio or television. The State and Federal governments use these media outlets to communicate with the public.
  4. Devise a family and friends contact system so that unnecessary strain isn't placed on communications lines. Contact one or two people outside of our region to spread the word to the rest of your circle of family and friends as to your condition.
  5. This is a good time to meet or renew acquaintances with your neighbors. Don't wait until an emergency to exchange phone numbers and get to know the people that live around you.
  6. Remember that electric and phone service may be interrupted.
  7. You may want to ensure that your vehicles are refueled on a regular basis.
  8. Try to carry cash in lower denominations to allow for quick purchases. In a situation with a communications failure, no store can process credit card/ATM transactions because of these required phone lines. Remember that if there is a communication failure, banks and ATMs may be closed as well.
  9. Depending on your personal level of comfort, you may want your pantry stocked with enough food for a week. Also, you may want to keep a supply of bottled water and other essentials such as medicines and personal hygiene items. Many residents have pets, therefore extra pet food and a leash should be part of their planning.

We hope that the above tips are useful and make you aware of the basic steps to prepare for an emergency. Other steps may need to be taken depending on the situation. Of course, please heed the directions of all Federal, State, and Local Emergency personnel in the event of an actual emergency.