(Cape May Court House, NJ)—The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce will support an initiative with the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management to create a public-private partnership that will encourage businesses in the County to be active partners regarding response to various emergencies, including storm events. The support from the Chamber was provided following a presentation by Cape May County Emergency Management Director Martin Pagliughi at the Chamber’s monthly meeting held at the Rockin’ Chair in Avalon on July 16th.
“The presentation invited a more active role by our business community in the preparation and response to major storms and other emergent situations in the County”, said Cape May County Chamber of Commerce President Vicki Clark. “This innovative public-private partnership gives the business community a seat at the table in the County’s emergency operations center, allows businesses to get first-hand information regarding emergency plans, and allows the business community to be partners with the recovery of our County following a major event”.
Pagliughi presented an opportunity for the Chamber to form an executive committee that would meet with the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management and a consultant to discuss the details of this public-private partnership. Pagliughi noted that the planning and response to emergency conditions requires a team approach and our local businesses should have a seat at the table to gather information and assist in response operations.
“I was delighted at the enthusiasm from the Chamber members at the meeting”, Pagliughi said. “We thank the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce for taking a vested interest in the communities that their members serve, and we look forward to developing a partnership that will result in improved decision making, access to County resources, and first-hand information so businesses can work before and after a storm event to get back to business as soon as possible”.
Pagliughi noted during his presentation that emergency management officials understand that agencies including FEMA and the American Red Cross are not first responders to emergencies. As Mayor of Avalon, Pagliughi developed a program that provides an essential role in emergency response to all municipal employees; that role has been replicated on the County level. This outreach to the Chamber further enhances a collaborative approach to emergency management.
The Chamber will form a committee among interested members to meet with Pagliughi’s staff and the management consultant to develop this business-inclusive approach to managing future emergent events in the County. Businesses who wish to be involved can contact the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce at (609) 465-7181.