About OEM


History of Millville OEM
Randy Droppert

     The Millville Office of Emergency Management basically started in the 1940’s and 1950’s during World War II and the Korean Conflict as what was commonly called Civil Defense Department.  It progressed through the war eras until the late 70’s early 80’s when the named changed and became the Office of Emergency Management. 

     Through the years the department has gone from a single filing cabinet, to a shared desk, to a functional EOC (Emergency Operations Center) located in the police department.  Due to much needed space at the police department for technological advancements, the EOC was moved in 2010 to its new and more advanced current home located on the Second floor of the Fire Department located on Buck Street.  
Our Responsibilities
Tami Kapule
Mission Statement
The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for providing mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and coordination for large-scale emergencies and disasters, both natural and human-caused, to the citizens of Millville, New Jersey for the purpose of saving lives and preventing property damage.
 
Services
  • Mitigate and plan for large-scale all-hazards emergencies and disasters
  • Develop and maintain citywide emergency operations plans
  • Serve as liaison to local, county, state, military and federal agencies and departments
  • Provide preparedness education to citizens and government employees
  • Coordinate multi-jurisdictional exercises
  • Manage resources needed to assist responders and the affected population
  • Assist partner response agencies and the affected population
  • Provide assistance and preparedness to the City of Millville through the administration of federal and state grant funding
Mitigation 
OEM is in charge of writing and updating the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan for the City, as well as outlining the functions and responsibilities of all City departments and agencies during emergencies or disasters. We maintain close working relationships with all levels of government.
 
Preparedness 
Because it is impossible to predict when a specific disaster will occur, our office participates in and helps plan numerous preparedness exercises. The exercises are disaster simulations that may involve all levels of government, and can range from an organized discussion about a potential threat, to full-scale training that involves actual response units, real-time events and actors who play the role of victims. This training gives management and responders a chance to address and resolve challenges before a real disaster occurs.
 
Response 
During a large disaster, the Office of Emergency Management provides overall coordination for citywide response efforts. This can involve the activation of the Emergency Operations Center, which becomes a single gathering point for representatives from City departments and partner agencies. These representatives facilitate resource coordination, mutual aid and policy decisions.
 
Recovery 
The Office of Emergency Management assists in the coordination of both short-term and long-term recovery functions. Short-term recovery efforts begin immediately following an emergency or disaster, as the city works to restore basic services and functions to the affected community. Long-term recovery involves restoring economic activity, and rebuilding communities and citizens' quality of life.
Sherman Taylor, OEM Coordinator
Pat O'Hern "I am 43 years old and have been a Millville resident all my life.  I started in emergency services as a sophomore in high school and have been involved with some type of emergency service for 27 years.  I started my emergency services career as an EMT with the Millville rescue squad and eventually moved to firefighting and became a member of Fairton fire Dept and later a member of the Millville fire department.  I worked for the Cumberland County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications center as a Senior Public Safety Telecommunicator and Certified Training Officer.  For the past 15 years I have worked at the Millville Police department as a Public Safety Telecommunicator, Communications Training Officer, and have also served as the department’s Terminal Agency Coordinator.

            I began my career as the City of Millville’s Emergency management Coordinator in 2007 and continue to serve as the coordinator.  We are required by the State of New Jersey to have no less than 24 hours of training a year and I strive to exceed that with as much training as I can attend.  As an OEM team, my deputies and I have been successful in obtaining numerous grants for equipment and funds to offset cost to the taxpayers and the city.  It is my goal as well as the goal of my OEM team to make the City of Millville a safer and more prepared municipality."
                                                                                                                         -Sherman Taylor
John D. Hallquist, Deputy OEM Coordinator
Kent KnightBIO Bio in the works
Michael Lippincott, Deputy OEM Coordinator
Margaret Martin Bio in the works
William Stadnick III, Deputy OEM Coordinator
Kent Knight Bio in the works