Sparta's STEP program gains recognition

BY JENNIFER CONTINO
SPARTA — Sparta's Deputy Mayor Christine Quinn told the Town Council last week how excited a new Sparta organization was to be nominated for four awards at The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce Annual Award Dinner.

“Winning the Business Partnership Award is a great honor for this newly formed organization," Quinn said

Starting in August of 2013, The Sparta Township Emergency Preparedness Initiative has quickly implemented a comprehensive program. The organization consists of The Steering Committee, The Community Emergency Response Team, and the Public Safety Committee.

“The program was started in the wake of Hurricane Sandy," Quinn Said. “We realized the community needed to address the core components of community emergency preparedness, so our citizens can prepare, avoid and react before, during and after an incident or event."

The community can find a step-by-step guide with information at www.spartanj.org, which is designed to help the community plan ahead in the event of an incident or event.

STEP also encourages the community to register at the website for the Sparta Township Honeywell alert system.

“This is different than the school alert system,” Quinn said “This will alert you directly from the Sparta Office of Emergency Management.”

STEP has also established Go 2 Centers throughout the township, giving the community designated places to find shelter, charge devices and get information. A list of these centers are also available online.

The Community Emergency Response Team is a volunteer organization, meeting once a month. To become a member applicants must complete a free Disaster Preparedness Training Course. In an effort to reach out to teenagers the course is offered to anyone in the community 16 years or older. It's an eight week course meeting once a week that meets FEMA guidelines.

Continuing to reach out to teenagers and the community, STEP representatives will be making presentations at local schools.