The state of emergency is a special status that allows the government to take extraordinary measures during a disaster. The laws that govern this are outlined in the constitution and allow for it to be invoked in cases of war, national crisis, civil disturbances, or extensive damage from natural disasters (like a major earthquake). A state of emergency can permit the government to quickly reassign resources and deploy extra forces to handle the situation. This may include military personnel to protect people and property, or specialized fire fighting teams. It also gives the government the right to suspend normal constitutional rights for a limited time during an emergency. However, these measures must be proportional to the threat level and must comply with human rights treaties.
The governor can issue a state of emergency through a public declaration. This will put the NJOEM’s State Emergency Operations Plan into effect and activate many Federal programs for response and recovery. NJOEM will also call on volunteers from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) networks to help with critical missions.
During a state of emergency, the governor can order travel restrictions that may impact people who live or work in the affected area. This means that it’s important to keep up with the latest news and information so you can make informed decisions if you need to travel during an emergency. These travel restrictions can be lifted once the State of Emergency is over.