A "STATE OF EMERGENCY" - WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU

On Sunday March 4, Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco issued a State of Emergency related
the Northeastern Storm which is currently impacting the Mid-Atlantic Coast.

New Jersey State law (N.J.S.A. App.A:9-37) allows the Governor to declare a State of Emergency during significant weather events and natural disasters. The emergency declaration is a tool used by the government officials who are managing the emergency. It allows State agencies to quickly respond to needs of citizens, reassign personnel, and deploy vehicles, trucks, and equipment to respond to the incident. A State of Emergency allows the government to act more quickly than it
can during non-emergency times.

What does this mean to you ? When a State of Emergency is issued, State Emergency
Management officials will communicate with New Jersey's citizens through traditional media
outlets such as television, radio and newspapers, and through other information channels, such as
the Internet or the Emergency Alert System. Citizens should pay close attention to news reports
when a State of Emergency is announced.

At times, travel restrictions are part of a State of Emergency. This is typically done to allow
snowplows to clear the roads. At other times government offices may be closed, or evacuations
may be recommended. A State of Emergency permits government officials to recommend specific
actions that citizens should take to insure the safety of their families and homes during the
emergency. Each emergency is different, and different factors will impact the decisions made by
State officials in response to the incident.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is a travel ban in effect ? Can I drive my car ?

The Executive Order signed by Governor DiFrancecso on March 4 contains no travel ban.

I own a small business, should I close ? We're a large business, what should we tell
employees ?

Large and small private businesses should make informed decisions about early closures, delayed
openings, cancellations and closures based on current and impending weather conditions,
emergency plans and policies of your organization, designation of essential employees, and
restrictions on travel. If travel restrictions are put into place, it will limit whether or not
employees can travel to your worksite.

Are State Offices open ?

All non-essential state employees are advised to remain home from work and exercise extreme
caution if it becomes necessary to travel. Employees previously designated as essential should
report to their pre-assigned work locations. If you are uncertain about whether or not you are
"essential" contact your supervisor. The decision to close State Offices was issued separately
from the State of Emergency Declaration. The recommendation to close state offices was made
based on updated weather forecasts which predicted that the heaviest snow accumulations would
arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 8:p.m.on Monday, March 5, thus making statewide travel
dangerous.