Home > Peapack & Gladstone News
Latest News
12/17/2014 - OEM Thank You for the Help
Hurricane Sandy Follow-up
Thank You from OEM
Thank you to ALL that put in a lot of TIME and EFFORT to keep our residents SAFE and the town OEM operations running without any injuries or severe storm damage.
To our Police and Public Works Departments - Police Chief Greg Skinner and Public Works Superintendent Rodney McCatharn, along with other OEM support staff, lead the OEM process for responding to a multiple of situations both during and after the storm. Neither got much sleep or went home for almost 48 hours at the storm height and both continued to work close to 16 hour days to keep their respective operations and OEM requirements working smoothly.
All of the members of the police department on duty at the height of the storm were on the street keeping us advised of the continuing damage and emergency calls for assistance from others in OEM. A least three members of our police stayed overnight in the building for several days – several Public Works employees did likewise-- to insure we were at optimum staff for emergency support calls.
Our Volunteers cannot be congratulated enough for their diligence and dedication for the critical times both during and after the storm. Thank you each and every one of you.
Our Fire Department was on duty with at least 8 men all night during the height of the storm and answered 23 calls for wires down in Streets and arcing, trees burning from wires, generators placed in medical need houses, fueling generators, and other support for Police and DPW. They also staffed the Fire house for several days/evenings afterwards answering to the follow up issues previously mentioned.
Judy Fagan, PG First Aid (who also was on site for over 36 hours nonstop) ,Rachel Fagan PG First Aid and John McDermott, Fire Dept., for all their assistance in the OEM office both during and immediately after the storm.
Diane Becker who set up the volunteer schedule, as well as volunteered and all the volunteers who staffed and assisted to keep the Warming center operating for the several days form 8 AM to 10 PM following the storm.
Karen and the library staff supporting the warming center on giving out hot chocolate, Coffee, cookies, etc, and providing a WIFI through someone’s private “HOT SPOT”.
Rich Rampinelli who stayed in constant contact with myself ,Chief Skinner and Rodney McCatharn to keep the Web Site updated with daily information for the residents that were on the web looking for updates on power, warming shelter, volunteering, etc.
Mayor Bill Horton did a great job in handling calls from residents and the press regarding power restoration, taking action on the placement of several people in a nearby nursing home and handling a variety of other miscellaneous issues.
Marge Gould, Borough Administrator, was on site and did a great job in providing the Admin assistance and authorizations to keep emergency situation funding in order.
There were many others -too numerous to mention-- in Fire Dept., Police, DPW, Rescue that were also here or at the Fire House, for several days to answer and respond to calls and assist in keeping everything running smoothly.
In addition we worked with several businesses by supplying generators for food preparation and crucial fuel for both the public and private sectors- particularly generator gas. A sincere thank you to Joe at Gladpack Sunoco and Caesar of Caesar’s Deli for their volunteering both time and service.
Last but not least a sincere Thank You to all in the Borough for their support and patience in allowing us to keep the Borough Safe for all residents and others that work in our town.
As per our standard procedure, we will be holding debriefing sessions these next two weeks to review problem areas and where we need to improve our processes.
Kindest Regards,
Mike Seboria
OEM Coordinator