Brindisi Offers Constituents Free Brochures on Creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Brindisi also urges people to sign up for the NY-Alert Program

December 17, 2012

Utica – Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi says Hurricanes Irene and Lee and the more recent ‘Superstorm Sandy’ demonstrated that New Yorkers are not immune to major natural disasters, and it’s a good idea for families to develop an emergency plan in the event a similar disaster occurs in the Mohawk Valley.

Brindisi is offering a free brochure on emergency preparedness for anyone who is interested. Copies are available by calling 315-732-1055; emailing brindisia@assembly.state.ny.us; or stopping by his Utica district office in Room 401, State Office Building, 207 Genesee Street, or on Fridays at the Rome office at 117 N. James Street.

“While the Mohawk Valley dodged a bullet and did not suffer extensive damage due to Superstorm Sandy, millions of people in our state and other sections of the country were not so lucky,” Brindisi said. “This storm is one of several extreme weather events over the past several years that have resulted in lengthy power outages and extensive property damage in our state”

“Every family should talk about what they would do in a similar emergency, and this includes planning what to do without utilities or a way to communicate electronically for days at a time,” Brindisi said. “Planning ahead can often limit the amount of personal devastation families suffer in emergencies like this. This brochure includes recommendation from emergency preparedness experts on how to prepare for a natural disaster.”

Brindisi says the NY-Alert Program is another way to prepare for weather-related emergencies. This free service provides warnings and emergency information during disaster situations, including road closures, weather advisories, and protective actions recommended by state and local governments, schools, and the private sector.

To sign up for NY-Alert, go to www.nyalert.gov, or call 888-697-6972. Once you are enrolled, emergency information will be sent to your cell phone, home phone, or by e-mail. You can select the geographic areas or regions you would like to receive information about, narrowed down to a particular town or village, although you also have the option to receive advisories for the entire state.

“It is my hope that we never have to deal with an extreme weather emergency, but Sandy showed that it can happen, and it is very important for our families to know what do when faced with an emergency,” Brindisi said.

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