N.J. still needs better disaster coordination

Again, we see a tragedy regarding the New Jersey Shore community of Seaside Heights, with a most devastating and horrific fire affecting more than 60 businesses.

For more than 24 hours, firefighters and emergency service workers battled a blaze that likened itself to a military action. In the end, the battle was won, but at a terrific cost.

As with the devastation incurred by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, our preparedness with respect to coordinated efforts among local, county, state, and federal emergency response agencies has been tested, and we have again missed the mark.

It is quite apparent that we have not elevated our coordinated efforts regarding disaster response and preparedness. Still, there is no strategic coordination between the civilian and military community, which includes the National Guard and Reserve emergency-response teams and equipment.

In New Jersey, we have a unique emergency-response and disaster-preparedness need as far as our Shore communities are concerned. Other states effectively coordinate with federal authorities to utilize both ground and aerial assets in responding to devastating fires that gain momentum and rage out of control.

We need to take a page from their playbook regarding emergency-response efforts. Our local, county, and state Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinators need to work directly with federal authorities to ensure that assets are staged and available for rapid deployment during situations such as Hurricane Sandy and the Seaside Heights fire.

OEM officials need to constantly upgrade emergency-response plans and network directly with federal authorities. Additionally, if we don't have the proper equipment in place to deal with such emergencies, that has to change.

The citizens of New Jersey do not want to hear excuses. They should demand that proper emergency-response assets are in place to deal with these disasters. Until government officials treat emergency response as a top priority, there will continue to be devastating consequences from the lack of proper coordinated efforts during such situations as Hurricane Sandy and the Seaside Heights fire.