Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Cuomo: New Yorkers Should Create Emergency Plans as Part of National Preparedness Month




Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that September is Preparedness Month across New York State and urged all New Yorkers to create an emergency plan that they can activate in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. In addition to forming an emergency plan that can help protect individuals, families and businesses in times of a crisis, the Governor also urged citizens to prepare a portable, emergency supply kit containing enough food, water, medications and other consumables to last seven to ten days. These recommendations can help save lives and reduce suffering in the event of a disaster.

"When disaster strikes, we want all New Yorkers to be prepared and ready to respond, Governor Cuomo said. “By planning ahead and taking a few simple safety steps, we can all be ready for unpredictable weather conditions and emergencies.”

Preparedness Month is a national effort sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The 2015 National Preparedness Month theme is – Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today. FEMA encourages Americans to create a family emergency communications plan that includes up-to-date contact information for individuals that may need to be reached during a disaster.

In addition to the overall theme, each week of National Preparedness Month will also promote the following hazard focused themes:

· September 1 – 5: Flood
· September 6 – 12: Wildfire
· September 13 – 19: Hurricane
· September 20 – 26: Power Outage

To help New Yorkers prepare for an emergency, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), in partnership with the New York National Guard, are offering Citizens Preparedness Corps training courses throughout the state. To date, more than 64,000 New Yorkers have completed a preparedness training course. Through this program, more citizens have received emergency preparedness training than at any other time in the state’s history. To register for a training course or to volunteer, visit the State’s Citizens Preparedness Corps website.

Below is a list of September’s preparedness training courses:


September 2015

Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - Syracuse
5:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m.
New York State Fair
*Event is free with State Fair Admission*
581 State Fair Blvd.
Art & Home Center - Empire Theater
Syracuse, New York 13209

Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - Staten Island
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Olympia Activity Center
1126 Olympia Boulevard
Staten Island, New York 10306

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 – Brookhaven (Suffolk County)
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Town of Brookhaven
1 Independence Hill
Farmingville, New York 11738

Thursday, September 17, 2015 - Jamesport (Suffolk County)
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Jamesport Meeting House
1590 Main Road (corner of Manor Lane)
Jamesport, New York 11947

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 – Rosedale (Queens)
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
P.S. 195 William Haberle School
253-50 149th Avenue
Rosedale, New York 11422

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 - Manhattan
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hudson Guild
441 West 26th Street
Manhattan, New York 10001

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - Bronx
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friendly Baptist Church
962 Ogden Avenue
Bronx, New York 10452

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - Harlem
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Harlem Hospital
506 Malcolm X Boulevard
Harlem, New York 10037

Thursday, September 24, 2015 – Laurelton (Queens)
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
St. Luke Cathedral Church
133-21 232 Street
Laurelton, New York 11413

Saturday, September 26, 2015 – Erie County
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cheektowaga Senior Center
3349 Broadway
Cheektowaga, NY 14227

Monday, September 28, 2015 – Forest Hills (Queens)
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Our Lady Queens of Martyrs School
72-55 Austin Street
Forest Hills, NY 11375 


Monday, September 28, 2015 – Montgomery County
5:00 P.M.
River Front Center
1250 Riverfront Center
Amsterdam, NY 12010 


More training classes are added frequently. To find out when Citizen Preparedness Corps training will be coming to your area, sign up to be notified of future classes at http://www.dhses.ny.gov/aware-prepare/nysprepare/registration/future-notify.cfm

John P. Melville, DHSES Commissioner, said, “New York has had 70 federally-declared disasters since 1954. This number represents two-times the national average of disasters so it reminds all of us of the need to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Developing an emergency plan, and preparing an emergency supply kit, can help individuals become better prepared. Our Citizens Preparedness training courses are a great way to get started on developing an emergency plan and knowing what to do in case of a disaster.”

To help keep New Yorkers informed of a variety of hazards, the state offers a website – NY-Alert. The state’s all-hazards alert and notification system, NY-Alert contains critical emergency-related information including instructions and recommended protective actions developed in real-time by emergency service personnel. NY-Alert sends individuals free messages on severe weather warnings, significant highway closures, hazardous materials spills, and many other emergency conditions. Additionally, the service provides response actions being taken by local and state agencies and protective actions that individuals should take to protect themselves, their family and property. To subscribe, visit http://www.nyalert.gov/. Individuals also can subscribe to the state’s new mobile app, iAlertz, for the latest alerts and notifications. 

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

DHSES and its four offices – Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, Interoperable and Emergency Communications, and Counter Terrorism – provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov 
 
 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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