West Trenton, NJ — In preparation for 2010 Hurricane season as well as any potential emergency event, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has created New Jersey's Special Needs Registry for Disasters, a free, voluntary and confidential program designed to assist people with special needs who may find it difficult to get to safety in the event of an emergency. 

“The time to get ready is now,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.  Make an evacuation plan for yourself, your family, and your pets. Prepare a readiness kit of things you’ll need to have with you if you must evacuate or shelter in place for an extended period of time. Talk now to friends and family who can help you get to safety when a crisis hits,” Colonel Fuentes added.

People with special needs (or caregivers on their behalf) are encouraged to register electronically, if possible, by accessing www.registerready.nj.gov.  Alternatively, they can call New Jersey’s toll-free 2-1-1 telephone service. This service will register people, offer free translation, and provide TTY services for the hearing-impaired.  Paper registration forms are also available at all 21 county offices of emergency management via: http://www.ready.nj.gov/about/association.html.

To stay informed about disasters and emergencies in New Jersey via social media, follow the NJOEM on Twitter @ReadyNJ, "like" us on www.facebook.com/READYNEWJERSEY, or get email and text message alerts via www.Nixle.com or www.njalert.gov.