North Whitehall Township is stepping up its emergency preparedness efforts and Emergency Management Coordinator Don Jacobs said community volunteers will be the key to making those plans successful.

In a recent interview, Jacobs explained the township has made major progress over the past year.

The board of supervisors has adopted the emergency operations plan and the hazard mitigation plan, opening the door to potential state and federal grant funding.

These funds could be used for projects like flood control, soil and water diversion, or other improvements that protect residents and businesses during severe weather.

But Jacobs stressed emergency management is about more than paperwork and funding – it’s about people.

“One of the things we deal with is that we don’t plan for just one type of emergency,” he said. “Whether it’s flooding, snow, a hazardous spill or a long power outage, we have to be ready for whatever comes our way.”

To prepare for evacuations and sheltering, the township is working on formal agreements with schools, churches and other community partners to establish reliable evacuation centers.

Jacobs explained it’s not enough to have just one shelter location.

“If something goes sideways, we need options. We want multiple sites across the township, so residents always have a safe place to go.”

Language access is also part of the plan.

About 6-9% of North Whitehall residents speak a primary language other than English, so Jacobs hopes to partner with the school district and community members to ensure translators are available in emergencies.

A central focus now is building a volunteer corps.

While fire, EMS and police handle critical response, Jacobs emphasized they cannot do everything.

“If we have to open shelters, I can’t expect firefighters or EMTs to run them – they’re already busy with rescues and medical calls,” he said.

Instead, the township hopes to recruit residents who want to help but cannot commit to the intensive training required for other emergency services.

“These volunteers would receive free training through the Red Cross and other organizations,” Jacobs explained. “They can learn how to manage shelters, keep accountability, and make sure people are cared for. It’s a way to serve the community without a huge time commitment.”

Jacobs said recent tabletop exercises with Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh County Emergency Management and other partners have shown how valuable it is to train together.

Drills introduce real-time challenges – such as equipment failures or sudden evacuations – that help identify gaps and build stronger teamwork.

For Jacobs, the bottom line is clear: “Emergency management works best when neighbors come together. We want people who care about this community to step forward and get involved. It makes all the difference when the unexpected happens.”

Residents interested in volunteering can contact the township office for more information at 610-799-3411.