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Bill > A4353
NJ A4353
NJ A4353Requires Director of Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to develop training program for first responders regarding protocols for responding to emergency in war zone.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to develop a training program for first responders regarding protocols for responding to an emergency in a war zone. Within 180 days of the effective date of this bill, the director is required to develop a training program for first responders on protocols and response procedures to follow when dispatched to an emergency that is the result of an act of war. The training program is required, at a minimum, to provide comprehensive training regarding what to expect when dispatched to the scene of an emergency resulting from an act of war; strategies for treating wartime injuries; hazards particular to a war zone, such as hazardous materials that may be released during a military attack or the risk of injury due to continued attack; methods to protect against attack and exposure to hazardous materials that may be released during a military attack; and the psychological impact of responding to the scene of an emergency resulting from an act of war. The bill requires the director to consult with the New Jersey National Guard, Armed Forces of the United States, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management county coordinators, and seek input from the New Jersey Hospital Association, EMS Council of New Jersey, and other emergency medical responders and emergency medical response entities operating in this State. First responders are required to complete this program biannually. The sponsor notes that due to the events taking place in Ukraine and the growing tension between China and Taiwan, it is of the utmost importance that New Jersey's first responders be prepared for the possibility of a military attack on this State. First responders are the first to arrive to the scene of an emergency and should receive the training necessary to protect themselves and others when dispatched to the scene of an emergency resulting from an act of war.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, within 180 days of the bill's enactment, must create a training program for all first responders, which includes law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders, on how to handle emergencies caused by an act of war. This training will cover expectations in a war zone, treating wartime injuries, specific hazards like hazardous materials released during attacks or ongoing threats, self-protection methods, and the psychological effects of such emergencies. To develop this program, the Director will consult with military entities like the New Jersey National Guard and the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as state and local emergency management officials, and seek input from various medical and emergency response organizations. First responders will be required to complete this training every two years, and the Director will establish guidelines to ensure the program's effectiveness, driven by concerns about global tensions and the potential for military attacks on the state.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4353 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4353_I1.HTM |
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