Commissioner Lanza attends training cosponsored by Hunterdon County Public Safety and NJ Office of Emergency Management
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Commissioner John Lanza, who also serves as the Public Safety Liaison, attended a post disaster, on June 21 Public Assistance Training forum at the Hunterdon County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, cosponsored by the Department of Public Safety and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM).
Public Assistance’ is a FEMA reimbursement program based upon each applicant performing work they deem necessary to protect the welfare of the public and continue to provide essential services regardless of Federal Aid.
“I want to thank Public Safety Director, Brayden Fahey, and his staff for hosting the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management along with local OEM coordinators from across Hunterdon County. It is important for local municipalities to learn more about federal funding that could be accessible to their communities after a disaster,” Lanza said.
Training was led by Joseph Bryski, NJOEM Training & Education Cadre Lead for the Recovery Bureau – Public Assistance Unit and was open to County and Municipal OEM Coordinators.
Training included an overview of Public Assistance (PA) and associated Individual Assistance (IA), as well as information concerning financial assistance to state, local governments, and certain nonprofit organizations for response and recovery activities required as a result of a disaster.
Director of Public Safety Brayden Fahey said, “Considering some of the changes FEMA has initiated in the Public Assistance arena, this training is especially important to ensure that local OEM Coordinators, and important key personnel, such as Department Heads, Supervisors, and their clerical staff are aware of PA criteria for every disaster notice.”
Additional topics of training by NJOEM Recovery Bureau, identified the important work each Emergency Management partner performs in their role to provide relevant support toward the FEMA Public Assistance Program, and to alleviate the concerns associated with its procedures.
