Legislation Assemblymen Fred Scalera and Assemblywoman Elease Evans sponsored to require large entertainment facilities to file emergency plans with local municipal emergency management coordinators was officially signed into law on Monday.
“Municipal officials and venue operators both need to know how an emergency situation will be handled,” said Scalera (D-Essex/Bergen/Passaic). “The current security climate requires us to be prepared to handle anything. Nothing should be left to chance.”
Under the new law (A-1589), every New Jersey entertainment and sports facility that holds more than 5,000 people will be required to prepare and maintain an emergency plan in coordination with local emergency response agencies. A copy of that plan must be filed with the municipality which hosts the venue.
“Local officials need to be ready if an emergency requires thousands fans to evacuate a facility,” said Evans (D-Passaic/Bergen). “Ensuring spectators can get out in a safe, orderly and responsible manner must be a top priority.”