The Camden County Emergency Operations Center is serving as the Joint Operations Base for agencies responsible for providing security at the Maccabi Games taking place at the Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill through Aug. 15. The games are expected to bring more than 6,000 teenage athletes, families and volunteers to the area.
“We want all of the guests to feel safe and secure during this national competition,” said freeholder Scot McCray, liaison to the Camden County Office of Emergency Management. “That is why we have opened our doors, and are providing our assistance for the coordination of security measures at the event.”
The EOC is being staffed by representatives from the Camden County Office of Emergency Management, Camden County Communications Center, Camden County Prosecutors Office, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cherry Hill Police and Fire, Voorhees Police and Fire, Berlin Police, Berlin Township Police, Pine Hill Police, Clementon Police, Evesham Police, Katz JCC and the Camden County Emergency Response Teams.
“All of the agencies involved in this effort have participated in more than a year of planning,” McCray said. “Our county EOC is allowing these key players to work together in the same place with live video fees and advanced technology, rather than have multiple command centers from the various game locations running the risk of communication breakdowns.”
The EOC acts as the county’s command center in times of emergency and large-scale events. Essential resources are coordinated and allocated, and emergency guidance originates from the secure location in Lindenwold.
“The entire freeholder board wishes each athlete good luck in their competition and ensures them that they will have a safe and memorable trip to Camden County,” McCray said.
