When disaster strikes—whether it’s a gas-fed fire, a major power outage, a significant storm or a flooding crisis— Neptune Township’s Office of Emergency Management is ready to lead the efforts to prepare, respond, and recover. From evacuating schools and healthcare facilities to tackling large-scale HazMat incidents, NTOEM is on the frontline helping to save lives and prepare our community for the next disaster.
Now, NTOEM is looking for new recruits to step up and join its stand-out team through an exciting new volunteer recruitment campaign, culminating in the creation of www.JoinNeptuneOEM.org. Volunteer opportunities are available in a wide variety of roles, and those interested can submit a volunteer inquiry form on the website and a member of NTOEM’s recruitment team will reach out to them to begin the application process.
“Our organization is one of the most professional, premiere offices of emergency management in the region. Our volunteers receive some of the best training and education in the country, and many of our members have advanced their careers due to their involvement,” said Michael Bascom, Neptune Township’s Emergency Management Coordinator.
Neptune OEM handles it all– from chemical spills to vehicular accidents to water-related emergencies, and even natural disasters– averaging roughly 600 calls a year in the Township and providing mutual aid to neighboring communities.
Since its inception in the late 1980s, it has maintained a stellar reputation regarded as one of the state’s leading OEM organizations. The Department offers state-of-the-art training, regularly utilizing its own training grounds, “Disaster Hill,” and offers classes and certifications led by some of the best public safety instructors in the profession
To kick off the campaign, volunteers participated in a branding development process, resulting in the slogan, “Train for Action. Respond with Purpose. Volunteer!” The tagline, which will be incorporated into all promotional recruitment materials, drives home the organization’s exceptional training, professionalism and reputation, in Neptune and beyond.
Membership is available at various levels, accommodating diverse skill sets and availability. The stand-out, specialized groups under Neptune OEM include Hazardous Materials Technicians, Emergency Responders, the Special Operations Technical Rescue Team, the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders (ANSWER) Water Rescue Team, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Specialized training for each group is offered at no cost; and no experience is necessary to volunteer.
“This Neptune OEM volunteer experience is unlike any other. We are one of only two HazMat agencies in Monmouth County and we provide mutual aid support to those who require our assistance,” said Bascom.
Ways to Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities are available to serious volunteers who want to safeguard our citizens, our community and beyond. Volunteers may apply to join any of the below specialized teams based on their interest and experience:
Emergency Response & Incident Management Team – Play a key role in emergency management and actively support incident response efforts in Neptune Township. Volunteers respond 24/7/365 to mobilize resources and handle traffic crashes, natural disasters, structure fires, and any other emergencies.
Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) – For those interested in preparedness training and assisting at community events, long-duration emergencies, provide resources to local shelters, distribute vital information within the community, and help with other functions vital to the community.
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team – Be at the forefront of protecting the Township and neighboring communities, providing 24/7 emergency response to hazardous materials emergencies such as chemical spills, biological hazards, explosives and more. Volunteers for this role should be certified (or interested in becoming certified) as a HazMat Tech. Involves extensive annual training during which technicians will continue expanding skills in the ever-evolving field of HazMat response.
Special Operations Technical Rescue Team– Respond to high-stakes technical rescue emergencies 24/7/365, including confined space, structural collapse, high and low angle, trench rescues and many other complex rescue operations. Volunteers receive extensive training from top-notch professionals and attend drills throughout the year held at specialized facilities.
ANSWER Water Rescue Team– Neptune Township is a participating community in the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders (ANSWER) Water Rescue Team, an all-volunteer group of over 150 first responders that provides water rescue services to Neptune Township, Ocean Grove Beaches, Shark River, the Shark River Inlet, Neptune City, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach, and provides aid to surrounding towns. The team is comprised of rescue swimmers, divers, EMTs, boat and jet ski operators, critical incident stress management professionals, physicians, emergency management personnel, traffic and scene security, drone pilots, police officers, and many other responders.
To express interest in volunteering, submit a no-obligation inquiry form at www.JoinNeptuneOEM.org/Contact/. Please note that volunteers may be placed in a specific group based on their interest, experience, and certifications. All applicants are subject to a background check, physical exam, and required training prior to becoming a member.