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Politics & Government

Mayor: Sign Up For Text, Email Alerts

After the "year of the natural disaster," Fiore praises emergency responders, urges residents to stay up to date through electronic and new media.

The snowstorms, earthquake and hurricane of 2011 have come and gone, but the memories linger.

So do the lessons learned about keeping  residents informed and calm before and after such natural disasters, according to

As Fiore started his started his second mayoral term on Sunday, he urged township residents to sign up for text and email alerts from Middletown's emergency services and first responders.

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The , set up this past year inside , keeps first responders and in turn, residents aware and informed when a major storm or other disaster is about to strike, Fiore explained during his mayoral address.

To sign up for text or email alerts, residents can visit the township Web site, Fiore said.

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"We must continue to enhance our abilities to communicate with residents through our website,text messages, emails, phone and social media to provide them with the most up-to-date information that we have during emergency situations," Fiore said.

"I would urge all residents to sign up for our text and email alerts by visiting our municipal website as soon as possible," he added.

From its base inside township hall, the emergency command center goes online just prior to a major storm event, Fiore explained.

Command center personnel can then quickly coordinate the efforts ot the , ,emergency medical services, , and administration, he continued.

Those first responders and the other departments are then better able to provide real time information such as road conditions and emergency alerts through use of electronic media, Fiore said.

In addition to describing 2011 as "the year of the natural disaster," Fiore praised the township's many first responders and volunteers for stepping up at times of need. His words drew applause from those in attendance.

"I'd especially like to recognize and thank the many men and women who make up our fire, first aid and all the other volunteer organizations throughout the township," Fiore said. "What makes Middletown a truly special place to live is the great sense of community that these fine men and women encompass."

To receive emailed updates and all cell phone text messages, residents must register with the Citizen Communication System. To find out more and to register, visit www.middletownnj.org. Registration is not necessary to receive emergency notification voice telephone messages from the police department.

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