Stony Brook, NY - September 25, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is encouraging New Yorkers to participate in one of 10 free Citizen Preparedness Corps Trainings across the state on Saturday, September 27. Families will receive a free emergency response starter kit and backpack upon completion of the course. The Citizen Preparedness Corps program, developed by the State Office of Emergency Management and administered by the New York National Guard, aims to provide approximately 100,000 New Yorkers with the tools and resources to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions.

“New Yorkers are acutely aware of the damage that frequent and severe storms inflict on communities across the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Citizen Preparedness Corps has already equipped thousands of New Yorkers to better respond in the event of an emergency or disaster – and by offering additional classes this weekend, more communities will be ready than ever before. In the spirit of Preparedness Month, I encourage families from across the state to attend a session this weekend, in person or online, so that they can be ready for the next time that extreme weather hits.”

Participants will receive a training certificate, a wallet-sized "Z-Card" with emergency preparedness information and a free Citizen Preparedness Starter Kit (one per family). The kit includes a first-aid kit, face mask, pocket radio with batteries, food bars, emergency blanket and other key items to help citizens in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The classes include information about what other supplies and personal information attendees should add to their kits. Click HERE for a photo of the kit.

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jerome M. Hauer said, “Governor Cuomo created the New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps trainings to give people a basic understanding of how to make sure they can prepare and respond quickly to natural or man-made disasters. We have learned from large-scale disasters such as Sandy, Lee and Irene that New Yorkers are often confronted with immediate response circumstances before first responders are able to reach them. It is therefore very important for all New Yorkers to make sure they have the tools and knowledge to be able to prepare for disasters and emergencies and be able to recover as quickly as possible."

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs said, “The men and women of the New York Army and Air National Guard, who have responded to help their fellow New Yorkers during floods, hurricanes, and snow storms, know firsthand the value of being prepared for emergencies. Our Soldiers and Airman are proud to be part of Governor Cuomo’s effort to help our fellow citizens prepare to cope with disasters and emergencies.”

Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo proclaimed September as Preparedness Month across New York State.

Classes held in on Saturday, September 27 include:

Westchester County – 10 a.m.
Purchase College, SUNY
Recital Hall
Conservatory of Music
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, New York 10577

Mohawk Valley – 10 a.m.
Herkimer College (HCCC)
Hummel Corporate and Professional Education Center Amphitheatre
100 Reservoir Road
Herkimer, New York 13350

North Country – 10 a.m.
Clarkson University
Student Center
8 Clarkson Avenue
Potsdam, New York 13699

Syracuse – 10 a.m.
SUNY ESF
Gateway Building, Rooms A, B, C
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, New York 13210

Staten Island – 10 a.m.
The College of Staten Island
Williamson Theater
2800 Victory Blvd
Staten Island, New York 10314
 
Long Island – 10 a.m.
Stony Brook University
Student Activities Center
West Campus Ballroom A
100 Nichols Road
Stony Brook, New York 11794

Capital Region – 10 a.m.
Schenectady County Community College
Carl B. Taylor Auditorium
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, New York 12305

Binghamton – 11 a.m.
SUNY Broome
Baldwin Gym
907 Upper Front Street
Binghamton, New York 13905

Finger Lakes/Rochester – 11 a.m.
Finger Lakes Community College
3325 Marvin Sands Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14424
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Buffalo – 12 p.m.
Buffalo State College
Bulger North
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, New York 14222

Those interested in attending a two-hour Citizen Preparedness Corps training session on Saturday can visit the website. New Yorkers can also sign up for the Skilled Volunteers Registry, where those with a skill or trade can volunteer to help their communities overcome and recover quickly after a disaster or other type of emergency.

The trainings are led by the New York National Guard who work with experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and local county emergency management personnel. A condensed version of the in-person course has recently been made available online for those who might not be able to take the in person class and is available HERE. Communities, non-profits and businesses can request to host their own Citizen Preparedness Course in their area by submitting their information HERE.

Since its launch in February, more than 16,950 people have been trained at 122 events, including some training sessions that were offered in the Chinese and Spanish languages. The training course provides an introduction to responding to a natural or man-made disaster. Participants are advised on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies. Proper preparation in the home is emphasized with encouragement to ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, along with fire extinguishers, are all available and in proper working order.

New York State has developed and continues to enhance an all-hazards preparedness website. This website serves as a clearinghouse of safety and preparedness information from the State agency websites of the Office of Emergency Management, Health, Office of Counter Terrorism, State Police, OFPC, Insurance, Agriculture and Markets, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.