Deptford’s 17-year-old emergency operations center has been relocated to the township community center.
Deptford recently showcased its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the community center on Delsea Drive in a video posted to the township’s Facebook page.
When an emergency occurs – such as a natural or man-made disaster – the center will be staffed by township personnel to coordinate efforts with both the county and state.
“The emergency operations center is for any emergency in Deptford Township, actually any local emergency in the region,” explained Mayor Paul Medany. “This can be manned 24 hours a day. It will involve our police department, all of our entities. Police, fire, MUA, the county – they’ll be in touch with the state.”
According to Medany, the center was started 17 years ago, but only recently relocated to the community center after it caused too much strain on the staff of the municipal building.
“We made it to protect our residents and keep them safe,” the mayor noted. “It is the headquarters for all the entities involved in emergencies. Each entity sends a representative to coordinate everyone’s efforts in dealing with an emergency. The EOC lets us get in contact with those involved.”
The center was put to use in 2021, when a tornado caused by Hurricane Ida blew through town, leaving many homes without power for extended periods of time. The township used the EOC – which is tied into the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service – to track the storm’s progress. The center also helped officials coordinate with power companies to restore power as fast as possible.
Should there be any major snowstorms at any point in the remainder of winter, the township plans to use the center to coordinate recovery efforts.
“It works and it (has) helped us out,” Medany said. “We’ve coordinated our efforts (in emergencies) and it’s been successful. It all starts with communication, and then we go from there with coordinating our efforts.”
The township also has its own Facebook page, Deptford Township Office of Emergency Management, that posts updates on weather as well as tips for emergency readiness and updates on township efforts. It was recently used to provide updates to residents on winter storm warnings.
“Be it man-made or weather related,” Medany promised, “we want you to know that we’re ready for anything here in Deptford Township.”
