FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Release 06-016
September 7, 2006

NYC OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MARKS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN COOPERATION WITH BOROUGH PRESIDENTS

To kick off National Preparedness Month in New York City, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), in partnership with five Borough Presidents, the American Red Cross in Greater New York, Citizen Corps, and other community partners, hosted a citywide Ready New York preparedness day at key locations around the city.

Held each September, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross to encourage individuals to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools.

"As the fifth anniversary of September 11th approaches, New Yorkers need to be more vigilant than ever about preparing for all types of emergencies," OEM Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno said. "New Yorkers face a number of hazards, including hurricanes. By taking the time to develop a disaster plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, and put together a Go Bag, residents will be better prepared when disaster strikes."

OEM staff and a host of volunteers handed out more than 100,000 copies of the pocket-sized Ready New York guide and other preparedness literature at sites throughout the five boroughs, including:

• Union Square subway station, Manhattan
• Borough Hall Plaza, Brooklyn
• Bronx County Courthouse, Bronx
• Staten Island Ferry Terminal, Staten Island
• Jamaica Center (Archer Ave between 153 St. and Parsons Blvd.), Queens

OEM and other preparedness experts were on hand to offer tips and answers questions throughout the day.

Commissioner Bruno was joined in the Bronx by Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr., in Brooklyn by Borough President Marty Markowitz, in Queens by Borough President Helen Marshall, and by representatives of Borough President Stringer and Molinaro’s offices in Manhattan and Staten Island.

This month, OEM, in partnership with many corporate and community partners, will host a number of events to promote the Ready New York preparedness message around the city. In addition to today’s kickoff event:

• On September 16, 2006, at the American Kennel Club’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day event, OEM will launch its newest Ready New York guide, “Ready New York for Pets.” The guide will offer information to pet owners on how to care for their pets during emergencies, including tips on what to put in a Pet Go Bag and Emergency Supply Kit.
• In late September, OEM will unveil an advertising campaign to promote public readiness.  The ads will be featured on subways, buses, billboards, and bus shelters in all five boroughs. 
• OEM has partnered with the MTA to develop a special National Preparedness Month ad alerting consumers to preparedness materials available from both agencies. The ads will appear on subways and buses throughout the month of September.
  
  

OEM’s National Preparedness Month partners include:

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross in Greater New York is a key humanitarian partner and a vital participant in New York’s plans and programs to help the nine million people in New York City and Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan Counties prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Auxiliary Police: The New York Police Department Auxiliary Police are NYC citizens who volunteer to assist their local Police Commanders. They come from all walks of life, and every Police Precinct, Housing Development and Transit District has an Auxiliary Police unit.  The NYPD also has Auxiliary Police units assigned to Harbor, Mounted, and Highway units.  Whenever possible, they assist in non-enforcement and non-hazardous duties. 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): NYC CERT teams are groups of community-based volunteers that undergo an intensive, 11-week training program in disaster preparedness and basic response skills. These teams support their local communities by assisting the various emergency agencies that prepare for and respond to disasters. CERT teams also work to educate their communities on emergency preparedness. 

Medical Reserve Corps: The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) enhances New York City’s emergency preparedness by ensuring that a trained group of volunteer health professionals is ready to respond to public health emergencies. The primary role of the MRC is to help distribute antibiotics or vaccines during an emergency that requires mass prophylaxis of a large number of New Yorkers.  Volunteers may also be called upon to assist the City with mass sheltering operations or to assist with medical surge capacity. 

New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS): NYDIS is a faith-based federation of service providers and charitable organizations who work in partnership to provide disaster services. NYDIS networks with local, state and national agencies involved in disaster management to facilitate the delivery of services, resources, and information to religious communities, under-served victims, and impacted communities.

For more information about Ready New York and National Preparedness Month in New York, call 311 or visit OEM’s website at NYC.gov/oem.

CONTACT: OEM Press Office 718-422-4888