Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Training and everyday readiness is a cornerstone of New Jersey’s ability to respond effectively to public health emergencies and non-health emergencies. The State is strengthening its approach, weaving preparedness into routine operations, leadership onboarding, and interagency collaboration. With new standards, more frequent exercises, and tailored support for decision-makers, New Jersey is building a stronger foundation for future emergency response. 

Updating Continuity of Operations Plans to Embed Lessons Learned

• In 2023, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) retained an external contractor to evaluate and support the development of Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs) for agencies designated as part of the State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP). These reviews provided tailored feedback and recommendations for enhancing COOP content, structure, and operational relevance.
• The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Children and Families are among the agencies that have made updates to their internal plans since the COVID-19 pandemic. These updates reflect the growing awareness among agencies of the need for a resilient, actionable continuity plan. 

Upgrading the Delivery of State Services for Continuity

• Modernizing how the State conducts routine business strengthens the ability to flex and scale in a crisis. For example, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOLWD), in collaboration with the Office of Innovation and the Office of Information Technology, launched a new online Unemployment Insurance (UI) application in April 2024. This redesigned application features a mobile-friendly interface, simplified questions, and accessibility enhancements, resulting in a significant reduction in application errors and processing times. 
• The Office of Innovation is working with a variety of state agencies to modernize 13 call centers—including those serving the ANCHOR property tax program, Temporary Disability and Family Leave, and Unemployment Insurance—to efficiently manage over 10 million calls in 2024.

Preparing for All Hazards

• In 2024, NJOEM finalized the State’s updated All-Hazard Mitigation Plan, a FEMA-required document that outlines training, exercise, and planning priorities over a three-year period. Developed collaboratively with the State Emergency Management Program Stakeholders (SEMPS), the plan incorporates Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) principles and establishes clear processes for post-incident reviews and improvement planning through After-Action Reports.
• The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (NJOAG) strengthened its role in statewide emergency preparedness by formalizing its leadership in preparedness monitoring functions in 2024. Already a designated member of the State Emergency Management Program Stakeholders (SEMPS) and with assigned roles under the State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP), NJOAG expanded its focus on compliance audits and preparedness assessments across agencies. These actions have enhanced coordination and accountability in statewide emergency management activities.
• Individual agencies have developed internal preparedness strategies. OIT’s Disaster Recovery Unit currently oversees its continuity and preparedness responsibilities, providing a model for integrating emergency management principles into core agency operations. 

Exercising Emergency Plans for Ongoing Readiness

• In April 2024, a statewide COOP tabletop exercise was held as part of the State Emergency Management Program Stakeholders (SEMPS) meeting. This exercise gave agencies the opportunity to assess and refine their plans in a realistic, multi-agency environment. Participating agencies included the Department of Health, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Office of Information Technology.
• To further enhance emergency preparedness across all levels of government, NJOEM introduced an Exercise Tracker to document and coordinate statewide training activities. The tracker is publicly available and ensures visibility into interagency and jurisdictional exercises. NJOEM also launched a hands-on “Exercise Boot Camp” to build the skills of emergency managers and exercise coordinators. NJOEM continues to issue directives that guide training requirements in areas such as the Incident Command System (ICS), search and rescue, and emergency management for policy officials.
• The Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force (DSPTF) hosts an annual executive-level tabletop exercise, with a focus on topics such as cyber threats and complex coordinated attacks, helping agencies strengthen leadership-level coordination during emergencies.
• Individual state agencies have also deepened their emergency training efforts. For example, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) exercises its emergency operations plans annually, as well as when updates occur. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) performs emergency drills at its State Data Centers and trains personnel in life-saving skills such as CPR and AED usage. The Department of Corrections (DOC) supports facility-level training through its Special Operations Group, which assists with emergency drills and role-specific staff familiarization; executive in-service training sessions help leaders understand their expected roles in multi-agency emergency responses. 
• Some agencies, such as NJDOLWD, have already implemented internal practices to provide incoming leaders with a foundational understanding of the agency’s role in a crisis and the protocols that guide response operations. 

Training Collaboratively with Partners

• To support consistent and qualified instruction, NJOEM led the development of the ICS Training Policy Group. Formed during the COVID-19 response, this group is responsible for setting state standards for Incident Command System (ICS) training and instructor credentialing, ensuring consistency in preparedness across jurisdictions.
• The State Emergency Response Commission has worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to deliver county-level chemical-release exercises.

• Continuing agency-level updates to COOPs, including refinements based on tabletop exercises and incorporating policy changes like telework options.
• Increasing the frequency and scope of multi-agency exercises coordinated through NJOEM and SEMPS on a range of health and non-health threats.
• Implementing “Exercise-in-a-Box” partnerships between NJOEM and local governments to expand access to quality training tools.
• Training the incoming Administration on key preparedness topics and structures.