By: Richard L. Smith
Essex County officials have activated Code Blue emergency procedures to protect vulnerable residents as freezing temperatures and winter weather move through the region.
According to Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Amir Jones, the Code Blue declaration will be in effect beginning Thursday, January 22 at 7 p.m. and will remain active through Saturday, January 31 at 9 a.m., covering both daytime and overnight hours.
Code Blue protocols are enacted when temperatures are forecast to fall below 32 degrees or when hazardous winter conditions pose a risk to public safety.
“Providing our homeless residents with a warm place to stay during extreme weather conditions is important for their safety and well-being,” DiVincenzo said, noting that county agencies and community partners are working together to ensure shelters and warming centers are available throughout the declaration period.
Sheriff Jones emphasized the urgency of the effort, stating that cold temperatures and winter storms place homeless residents at serious risk and that partner organizations are opening their doors to provide warmth and safety during the severe weather.
When Code Blue is in effect, a countywide network of warming stations and shelters is activated. Warming stations—typically located in public libraries, senior centers, community and civic buildings, houses of worship, firehouses, and first aid squad facilities—are generally open during daytime hours.
While these locations may not offer overnight accommodations, emergency shelters do provide overnight stays.
In addition, shelters that normally require residents to leave during daytime hours suspend that policy during Code Blue periods, allowing individuals to remain indoors continuously until conditions improve.
A full list of participating shelters and warming locations is available by visiting www.nj211.org, which provides updated information on emergency housing and cold-weather resources across Essex County.
Residents are encouraged to share this information and to contact local authorities or NJ 211 if they encounter someone in need of shelter during the ongoing cold spell.