September 04, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON SENDS DISASTER SPECIALISTS TO ASSIST WITH HURRICANE GUSTAV CLEAN-UP EFFORTS
24-person State Interagency Team Latest State Unit to Assist Hurricane Victims
Expert Team Will Assist in Response and Recovery Efforts for Battered Louisiana Parishes
Governor David A. Paterson this week deployed an interagency team of New York State disaster management specialists to assist Hurricane Gustav-battered parishes in Louisiana. The 24-person team begins a two-week tour of duty today and will be staged in Hammond, Louisiana, to assist one of four battered parishes - New Orleans, Palquemines, St. Bernard, or Jefferson - in recovery efforts. Team members are specialists in managing the various aspects of response and recovery including command, operations, planning and logistics.
The deployment of the disaster specialists is the latest assistance New York State is providing to hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast. On Sunday, Governor Paterson announced the New York National Guard was sending helicopters and personnel as part of the Gustav relief effort. Over the weekend SEMO deployed two specialists to Washington, D.C. to assist coordinating Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) requests and missions. Additionally, the Fire Department of New York City is deploying its IMT to Louisiana.
"Even when Gustav was on the horizon, New York State was prepared and ready to lend a helping hand to our fellow Americans in the Gulf Coast. Fortunately, the damage caused by this storm was not as severe as was initially feared; but there is still work to be done," said Governor Paterson. "New York State will always be prepared to answer the call to assist the residents here and across the country in their time of need."
The State Incident Management Team - which departed from Albany Tuesday - came about because New York State is a member of the EMAC, which establishes a mutual partnership with the other 49 states, the District of Columbia and three territories to provide aid and assistance in times of emergency.
Team members come from the following agencies: State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), State Police, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination, Office of Homeland Security, New York City Office of Emergency Management, Livingston County Office of Emergency Management Services, and Onondaga Community College/Public Safety Training Center.
Governor Paterson took this recent development in state assistance to proclaim September as Preparedness Month in the Empire State.
As part of the Preparedness Month observance, the State unveiled its new "Aware/Prepare" website, www.nyprepare.gov, and Governor Paterson announced that nearly two dozen State and local agencies and organizations will participate in a Preparedness Expo on September 9th at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Michael Balboni said: "We are using the unveiling of the NYPrepare website, next week's Preparedness Expo and the month-long observance to drive the point of preparedness home to New Yorkers. The tragic events of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina are stark reminders of the need to being prepared and preparedness is something that should be practiced 365 days a year".
The State's revamped preparedness website "Aware/Prepare" at www.nyprepare.gov offers "one-stop shopping" for New Yorkers to obtain life safety information online. The website contains a wealth of safety and preparedness information found on the State agency webpages of the Office of Homeland Security, the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), the Department of Health, the Division of State Police, the Department of State.s Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Department of Insurance. Other safety information is provided by the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Visitors to the site will be able to view and download vital safety information and publications for natural disasters, terrorism-related events, and critical health safety information in addition to crime prevention publications from the State Police and fire safety pamphlets developed by OFPC. The site utilizes links to the Department of Homeland Security.s Ready webpage and offers additional safety information for children through its .Ready Kids. site. Businesses both large and small will find critical information on developing continuity of operations plans, safety information for employees and other business-safety information.
The New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission (DPC) is sponsoring the first ever Preparedness Expo on September 9th on the State Concourse at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during which nearly two dozen agencies will share preparedness related information with the State workforce and members of the public.
In addition to providing preparedness materials, agencies will be able to explain their preparedness programs and engage individuals through presentations and demonstrations. In an effort to highlight the activity on the Concourse some agencies will have response vehicles and other assets on display on the Plaza level. The Red Cross will also be conducting a blood drive at their collection site on the Concourse in conjunction with the Expo.
John R. Gibb, Director of SEMO and Chairman of the DPC, said: "It's extremely important that people know what to do during an emergency. New Yorkers should make sure that proper emergency supplies are readily available at home and at work and they should be informed and aware of events that are going on or forecast. The best way to get emergency information is by subscribing to NY-ALERT, the State's alert and notification system (www.nyalert.gov)".
Frank Tabert, Deputy Director of the Office of Homeland Security, said: "This webpage will help us to intensify our outreach efforts to give New Yorkers critical preparedness information using 21st Century technology. Vigilance is one of the greatest weapons we have in making our homeland secure. We ask all New Yorkers if you see something suspicious, contact your local law enforcement or call the State Terrorism Tips line, 1-866-SAFE-NYS".
The State's observance is part of the National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready America campaign. This is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action to prepare for emergencies. This year, more than 2,700 national, regional, state and local agencies and organizations are working to create a culture of emergency preparedness in the United State by hosting events and launching initiatives during and around September.
