During an extreme weather event, the County follows its existing Code Blue Plan.
Once a Code Blue Alert from the County Office of Emergency Management is released, information regarding the availability of weather related services, provided by non-profit and volunteer organizations, will be offered on the Ocean County Department of Human Services website, through email and via social media.
Any organization offering services mentioned herein is encouraged to contact Human Services to enhance distribution of information.
Per Code Blue legislation (NJSA A:9-43:18), Ocean County’s Code Blue Plan establishes a collaborative approach to organizing existing available services during extreme cold weather for vulnerable populations in Ocean County.
This Plan institutes protocols for Code Blue Alerts, sets forth services available during Code Blue activation, and encourages all partners to communicate regarding the ongoing efforts available in the community to address the needs of individuals at risk during extreme weather events.
The Code Blue activation period is from November 1st to March 1st with the greatest risk from December to February. Risk peaks in January, the coldest month. The Plan’s goal is to assist agencies in coordinating services when Code Blue alerts have been issued.
A Code Blue alert will be generated by the County OEM, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, after evaluating weather forecasts and advisories produced by the National Weather Service that predict the following weather conditions in the county within 24 to 48 hours (NJSA A:9-43.20):
• Temperatures will reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower;
• National Weather Service wind-chill temperature will be zero degrees Fahrenheit or less for a period of two hours or more
If possible, the decision to declare a Code Blue will be made by 5:00 p.m. on the previous business day and by 5:00 p.m. on Friday before the weekend in which extreme winter weather is forecasted.
The Ocean County Department of Human Services will send out an announcement regarding Code Blue Alert status through:
• Constant Contact Subscriber Email Distribution List
• Facebook
• Human Services Website
Those interested in receiving Code Blue related information are encouraged to :
• Sign up for Human Services emails (oceandhs.org)
• Follow Ocean County Human Services and the Ocean County Sheriff on Facebook
• Visit the Human Services website (oceandhs.org) frequently
Additionally, warming center locations, as detailed in each Code Blue Plan adopted, are determined based on availability of space, ease of access to those who need it most, and proximity to system of care services including transportation.
The Ocean County Department of Human Services issues updated Code Blue Statements for each new Code Blue Alert. Each warming center providing accommodations during a Code Blue Alert is independently operated by separate non-profit organizations. A listing of agencies serving as collaborative Code Blue partners, or ancillary resources, is available online on the Human Services website, and is updated for each new Code Blue alert (see link below).
Code Blue Updates and Resources
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