The Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management has become the first agency in New Jersey to achieve accreditation through the new Emergency Management Accreditation New Jersey (EMANJ) program, Sheriff Shaun Golden announced on Mar. 25. This recognition also marks the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office as a 6-Star Accredited Agency.
The achievement is significant for public safety and emergency preparedness across the state. The EMANJ program provides a standardized process for agencies to assess their capabilities and improve operations, aiming to raise standards throughout New Jersey.
“This accreditation is a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and the forward-thinking approach of our Office of Emergency Management,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Being recognized as the first EMANJ accredited agency in the State underscores our commitment to protecting residents, strengthening preparedness, and setting the standard for emergency management operations across New Jersey. Combined with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office now being recognized as a 6-Star Accredited Agency, this accomplishment reflects our agency’s unwavering pursuit of excellence in every area of service.”
The EMANJ program is voluntary and involves a comprehensive evaluation process that reviews policies, plans, training programs, exercises, and operational readiness. Agencies must demonstrate compliance with best practices tailored for New Jersey’s risk profile.
Scott R. Nielsen, OEM Coordinator for Monmouth County said: “This achievement reflects the collective effort of our entire emergency management team and our strong partnerships with municipal, county, state, and private-sector stakeholders. The EMANJ program provides a valuable framework for continuous improvement, and we are proud to lead the way in advancing emergency management capabilities not only in Monmouth County but across the State. This recognition also adds to the broader excellence of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office as a 6-Star Accredited Agency.”
According to its official website the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office promotes community safety via programs such as Crime Stoppers and educational initiatives for students. The office manages public safety efforts including oversight of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, which has capacity for 1,328 inmates according to the same source. It was previously recognized as the only five-star accredited agency in New Jersey before achieving its current six-star status.
Golden serves as the 76th sheriff overseeing these efforts, focusing on protecting residents throughout Monmouth County.
Monmouth County OEM continues coordinating preparedness activities aimed at response and recovery from hazards while maintaining focus on innovation and collaboration.
