Atlantic City Rescue Mission gears up for first ‘code blue' of season By WALLACE McKELVEY Staff Writer pressofAtlanticCity.com | Wednesday, January 4, 2012 12:00 am
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The Atlantic City Office of Emergency Management issued its first "code blue" alert of the season Tuesday, launching an all-night effort to ensure residents were able to escape the winds and freezing temperatures. The designation funnels additional resources to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission during days of subzero temperatures. But after months of unseasonably warm weather, officials worry even those with a warm place to stay won't be prepared for the full brunt of a winter storm. "People think this is how it's going to be all winter long, so they don't take precautions like checking wiper blades and tires or gassing up (vehicles)," said Vincent Jones, director of the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness. New Jersey state climatologist David Robinson said December 2011 was the fifth warmest since records were kept in 1895, with an average temperature of a little more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. That's nearly 5 degrees above the average from the 1981-2010 period. And December followed the sixth warmest November on record. "I didn't even have my heavy gloves out, and I'm not sure where my wool hat is," said Robinson, chair of the Geography Department at Rutgers University. "If we'd been cold for the last four weeks, I'm sure I would." Robinson said sudden cold snaps following stretches of milder weather - which may be the dominant pattern this winter - play havoc with everybody. "People tend to acclimate," he said. "The old saying is the ‘blood gets thinner,' but when weather changes (slowly), you're just better prepared for it." While the cold weather will be short-lived, Robinson said, that doesn't mean all winter will be so mild. And in the wake of last year's paralyzing blizzard, officials said they've been preparing for this all year. "Last year, we had one of those record-setting years," said Atlantic City Emergency Management Director Tom Foley. "Not only snow, but earthquakes and a total evacuation of the city for Hurricane Irene - we really got a taste of it all." Atlantic City has also been trying to gather contact information for every resident of the city, Foley said. "We want to make sure we're able to contact each individual person," he said. "But a lot of people don't have land lines anymore, so the reverse 911 system doesn't always work, unfortunately." A website where people can sign up is expected to launch later this week, Foley said. In the meantime, he said, people can call his office with their information. Currently, he said, the city has contacts for over 1,700 businesses and several thousand residents. The Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness already provides emergency notification sign-up via the Internet. Jones said his office is ready to send out notifications via Facebook and Twitter, in addition to the call list. It also sends out periodic messages about winter safety issues, such as driving. "The reality is, people aren't familiar with how to drive on snow-covered roads," he said. "If they don't have to drive, we advise them not to do it."
This year, in particular, Jones said, the problem is made worse by bridges and roads already closed by Hurricane Irene. "Since some bridges have been out, municipalities have had to work that into their response plans," he said. Jones said people should still remain vigilant, even after temperatures rebound Thursday. "It's the same thing as hurricane season," he said. "If your power goes out, you'll be in the same boat . . . but in winter time you'll be in the dark and the cold." With the National Weather Service forecasting subzero temperatures Tuesday night, Foley said, the city wanted to make sure everyone had a place to go. The code blue alert, which expires at 10 a.m. today, is issued any time the wind chill factor dips below zero, he said. Foley said everyone should check on elderly neighbors and the homeless, ensure that their heaters are working properly and make sure children and pets don't spend too much time outdoors in the cold. Similarly, he said, the public should take heed of parking notices to allow plows to clear the streets. Implemented about 10 years ago, the code blue alert provides about $1,400 to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission for extra food and blankets. It also means police patrolling the Boardwalk and streets are authorized to provide transportation to the shelter, he said. Mission President and CEO William Southrey said residency spikes to about 400 on code blue days compared to the usual 300 they see during winter. "We have an open-door policy for anybody to come in, no matter who they are or what restrictions they may have (normally)," he said. Since Atlantic City police officers are stationed at the mission on the coldest days of the year, Southrey said, the mission can extend its services to those with a history of behavioral or psychological issues. "We don't want anyone out there on the streets in this," he said. Generally speaking, Southrey said, the shelter is quiet and safe during these times. "During the last (blizzard), it was actually a very nice, calm, peaceful day," he said. "Everyone was cooperative with each other, satiated and relaxed." Contact Wallace McKelvey: Š Copyright 2012, pressofAtlanticCity.com , Pleasantville, NJ . Powered by BLOX Content Management System from TownNews.com . [ Terms of Use | Privacy Policy ]