Atlantic Highlands NJ Alert

   Within minutes of utility poles and wires coming down and a trailered boat in the midst of it on First Avenue late this afternoon,  the borough of Atlantic Highlands had issued its alerts by phone and e-mail warning people to stay off First Avenue because of multiple wires down and traffic  halted between Center and East Highland avenues.

     With police and volunteer first aid and fire department volunteers immediately on the job, it was the perfect opportunity to see how not only employees and residents of this borough work well together, but already Highlands Police Chief Rob Burton was also on the scene directing volunteers on areas to block off to prevent further accidents and traffic tie-ups or jams in other parts of the town as well.

     While police will work through all the elements and conduct an investigation, it was apparent to onlookers that a boat on a trailer heading to the municipal yacht harbor was obviously higher than the utility wires from Borough Hall to Center Avenue, causing more than one poll to fall before the boat itself was caught under one and a myriad of wires from the fallen poles. Power has been out, the weekly Farmer’s Market at Veterans Park was closing down, borough hall employees were out on the lawn and public works employees were pulled within minutes from their regular jobs to be blocking off streets for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and keeping the quickly gathering crowd distant to prevent further incidents.

Fire department volunteers also quickly moved vehicles from the fire house to ensure they would be accessible wherever needed any place in town until the road could be cleared.

Today’s incident brought home quickly the message that was given by the EMT Task Force team at the borough council meeting the evening before that every volunteer is needed in any time of a borough emergency and more able residents are not only invited but urged to look into how they can take a greater involvement in volunteer service with one of the emergency units. One of the recommendations of the Task Force to meet growing personnel needs as well as equipment needs and costs is by promoting membership.

Residents seeing the calm, cohesive way today’s volunteers  started remedying the situation, working together, and  quickly taking action appreciated all of today’s aactions and cold see first hand why more volunteers are needed regardless of the type of emergency.