Emergency Management

The Cedar Grove Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is responsible for coordinating the Township’s preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural and man-made disasters. Our mission is to protect lives and property through proactive planning, inter-agency coordination, and providing residents with the real-time information they need to stay safe during emergencies.

Cedar Grove’s Office of Emergency Management (CGOEM) is committed to maintaining full operational readiness while building a modern, compliant, all-hazard emergency management organization. This approach ensures the continued operation of Cedar Grove’s critical infrastructure during emergencies and disasters.

The Emergency Management Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators work to address all five phases of emergency management—prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—through regular meetings, ongoing training, practical exercises, and coordination with County and State Office of Emergency Management agencies.

State law requires every municipality to maintain an approved Emergency Operations Plan (“EOP”). This plan addresses all components of emergency services and includes both traditional emergency response agencies, such as police, fire, and emergency medical services, as well as non-traditional partners, including the health department, public works, engineering or building department, and administrative and finance personnel.

CGOEM is headed by the Emergency Management Coordinator (“EMC”). The EMC is responsible for planning, activating, coordinating, and directing emergency management operations within the township. When the Coordinator determines a disaster has occurred or is imminent, they are authorized to declare a local state of emergency. In accordance with regulations established by the State Director of Emergency Management, the Coordinator may issue and enforce orders necessary to carry out emergency operations and to protect the health, safety, and resources of Cedar Grove and its residents.

Mission Statement

The Cedar Grove Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is dedicated to the safety and security of our residents through a comprehensive, 'all-hazards' approach to emergency management. Our mission is to mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters through rigorous planning, community-wide preparedness, and the seamless coordination of the Township of Cedar Grove, Essex County, and New Jersey State resources. We are committed to fostering a resilient Cedar Grove by empowering our citizens with timely information and ensuring the township is prepared to respond and recover when it matters most.

What We Do

• Planning & Mitigation: We develop and maintain the Township’s Emergency Operations Plan, identifying potential risks like fire, flooding or severe weather and working to reduce their impact on our infrastructure.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: During a major incident, We operate the Township’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that serves as the central hub, aligning the efforts of the Cedar Grove Police, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and DPW to ensure a unified command and response.
• Public Information: We manage the Nixle Alert System and other communication channels to provide residents with accurate, real-time updates during emergencies.
• Resource Management: We coordinate the procurement and distribution of critical resources, from logistics and inventory to managing mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities.
• Recovery: Beyond the immediate crisis, the OEM assists the community in navigating the recovery process, working with state and federal agencies to restore services and support local relief efforts.

Emergency Preparedness & Response Resources

• Ready.gov: Federal resource for creating emergency plans and building disaster kits.
• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM): The primary state portal for disaster alerts and preparedness information.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): National support for disaster assistance and recovery resources.

Utilities & Outage Reporting 

• PSE&G Outage Center: Direct link to report a power outage, view the real-time outage map, and access storm safety tips.
• Optimum Outage: Call 1-866-950-3278 or visit the Outage Map
• Verizon Outage: Call 1-800-837-4966 or visit the Outage Map
• Water & Sewer Emergency: 
  • During Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:00pm 973-239-1410 ext 280
  • After Hours & Holidays; Police Non-Emergency 973-239-4100

Weather & Real-Time Alerts

• Nixle Alerts (Cedar Grove): Local emergency notification system. Residents can register online or text "07009" to 888-777.
• National Weather Service: The official weather forecast and warning source for Cedar Grove.
• NJOEM Winter Weather Guide: Specific guidance for winter storm preparedness.

Regional Partners

• Essex County Sheriff’s Office OEM: The county-level agency providing regional disaster coordination.
• NJOEM Page: State Office of Emergency Management.