LIPA/NYSEMO/KeySpan Plan Islandwide Emergency Preparedness Drill
As 2006 Hurricane Season Begins, Long Island Urged to Practice Emergency
Response Plans
Uniondale, NY – May 23, 2006 – Following yesterday’s announcement that
this year’s hurricane season will be extremely active, particularly along the
east coast, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), along with the New York
State Office of Emergency Management, KeySpan, various local, county, state and
federal emergency response entities, numerous not-for-profit organizations as
well as the business community and Long Island residents, are gearing up for
their participation in the third annual Islandwide “I’m Ready” emergency
preparedness drill, focusing on hurricane preparedness.
On Friday, June 2, 2006, LIPA will call upon government, businesses, and
residential customers within LIPA’s service territory, comprising Nassau and
Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, to voluntarily curtail
non-essential electric use from noon to 3PM and practice emergency response
procedures should a major hurricane or other emergency strike the region. The
“I’m Ready” drill encourages LIPA customers to participate as a way to plan and
prepare for a major emergency such as a hurricane. Hurricane Gloria occurred 21
years ago and was the last full-strike hurricane to hit Long Island.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) this week
announced to America and its neighbors throughout the north Atlantic region that
a very active hurricane season is looming, and encouraged individuals to make
preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods.
"For the 2006 North Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16
named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could
become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher," said retired Navy
Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator.
On average, the north Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 named storms,
with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. In 2005, the
Atlantic hurricane season contained a record 28 storms, including 15 hurricanes.
Seven of these hurricanes were considered "major," of which a record four hit
the United States. "Although NOAA is not forecasting a repeat of last year's
season, the potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. is high," added
Lautenbacher.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto said “Every indication is that we
will continue to see above-average hurricane activity. It is vital that
officials of all levels of government and the public utilities that serve our
residents work together to be fully prepared in the event of a hurricane or
other natural disaster. The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina have
underscored the importance of being prepared locally in the event of a
significant storm. It only takes one storm to devastate a community. The Town of
Oyster Bay is pleased to join with LIPA in support of this very important
Emergency Preparedness Drill.”
“Last year’s Islandwide drill resonated through all areas of Long Island
life,” said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. “We appreciate the fact that major
businesses and municipal governments across the island, as well as residential
customers, took the time to plan ahead to respond to a possible emergency. In
the long run, it could save lives.”
“LIPA and KeySpan strives to be ready for all kinds of everyday emergencies.
Being prepared, and making safety part of our daily routine, is what running a
system as big as ours is all about”, said KeySpan Chairman and CEO Robert
Catell. “Some 1,500 LIPA and KeySpan workers participate in electrical emergency
preparedness training as well as blackout and heat storm training every year, to
make sure we can respond to all kinds of emergencies, big and small. If we
should be faced with a major storm this summer, KeySpan and LIPA are ready to
keep our system running, and if it is compromised, to get back up and running as
quickly as possible.”
We’re asking LIPA customers to do two things on June 2nd, reduce
non-essential electric consumption between the hours of Noon and 3:00 p.m., and
to review their own emergency preparedness plans,” said LIPA Chairman Richard M.
Kessel. “Our goal is to create awareness that if an emergency occurs, whether
it’s caused by a major storm or a terrorist attack, Long Islanders will be ready
to respond and cope.”
"While we have a first-rate set of emergency preparedness plans, one of the
lessons from Hurricane Katrina last fall was that you have to prepare for a wide
range of contingencies," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.
"In Suffolk, we developed an action plan to take away any doubt or confusion
about our responsibilities and our readiness in the event of a storm. As always,
one of the keys will be the ability of all levels of government, public
utilities and the private sector to work cooperatively in response to a natural
or man-made catastrophe, and we look forward to participating in this readiness
drill to put our plans to the test."
“In light of the recent studies that have been conducted on Long Island
preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season it is ever so important for Long
Island to be ready to deal with the possibility of hurricanes and tropical
storms. I believe that it is prudent for us to enter into this Island Wide Drill
and I am extremely pleased that we have the cooperation of both counties and
LIPA,” said Babylon Town Supervisor, Steven Bellone.
“This drill builds on the work we have done throughout the year with local
governments, LIPA and KeySpan and provides us the opportunity to test the plans
we have in place,” said John R. Gibb, Director of the New York State Emergency
Management Office. “Much as government agencies at all levels drill around the
year to ensure they are ready to respond to any incident, individuals and
families need to have a plan on what to do and what articles they need to
protect themselves and their loved ones. This drill is the perfect occasion for
them to review or develop those plans.”
“It’s important for Long Island residents to be prepared for the upcoming
hurricane season,” said Marianne Garvin Executive Vice President & COO of the
Community Development Corporation of Long Island. “I applaud LIPA for planning
this drill to raise awareness of what each person and business can do to be
prepared for this potential disaster.
"After witnessing the devastation that Katrina caused last summer none of us
should be confused about our vulnerability right here on Long Island”, said Jack
O'Connell CEO of the Health And Welfare Council of Long Island. “Every Long
Island family and business needs to place a very high priority on planning for
what some experts are saying is inevitable. We in the health and human services
community will gladly join with LIPA on June 2nd to participate in an exercise
that could ultimately save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives."
Are You Prepared For A Hurricane?
LIPA strongly encourages all Long Islanders to participate in the emergency
drill and become a winner in more ways than one. What if a major storm or other
emergency situation happens on Long Island? What would you do? Are you ready?
Check LIPA’s Web site www.lipower.org
between noon and 3PM on Friday, June 2 and complete the "I’m Prepared" Survey.
The first 200 LIPA customers to submit their survey will receive a FREE
Emergency Preparedness Starter Kit.
In addition, the first 500 LIPA customers who complete and submit the survey
will receive a DVD copy of our "Be Prepared: Plan Now" DVD. All customers
completing the survey will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance
to win a portable home generator.
"People with pets will want to take part in the LIPA drill on June 2nd
because it's a perfect opportunity for us to put our own emergency plans into
action to see how we'd fare in an actual emergency,” said Nancy Lynch of the Pet
Safe Coalition, Inc. “We know that companion animals have a better chance of
surviving emergencies if they're with their owners in a familiar, safe
environment.
What to do ? Contact relatives and friends outside of your immediate area and
ask them to cooperate with you as you walk through the steps of an evacuation.
Make sure your pets are wearing proper ID. Secure crates or carriers for each
pet and get your "go kit" together now with a ten-day supply of pet food, water,
and medicine and medical records."
Little Shelter of Huntington is one of Long Island's oldest no-kill animal
shelters. Little Shelter regularly rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes dogs and
cats who would be put to death in municipal shelters in the New York area and in
many southern states. Maryann Chernovsky , President of Little Shelter
recommends the following important evacuation precautions:
- Make sure your dog or cat has a current ID tag which includes all
contact information.
- Be sure you have carriers ready for your pets. They should be brought to
your destination inside carriers with leashes and medical information taped
to the inside.
- Have ready a waterproof pet evacuation kit containing enough food and
water for a week as well as cleanup supplies. The kit should be packed with
your personal items. Be sure to also bring along a recent photo of your dog
or cat in the event you become separated.
- Be sure you have a "Pets Inside" sticker on the front and back door of
your home in case you are away when disaster strikes.
- Keep a list of pet friendly hotels or pet friendly relatives located
outside your immediate area.
- Make plans as soon as you know a major storm is forecast. If you know
you cannot take your pet with you, make boarding arrangements ahead of time
with a local shelter or veterinarian.
LIPA has been working with the New York State Office of Emergency Management
(SEMO) to coordinate the “I’m Ready” drill with emergency responders islandwide.
The Nassau, Suffolk and New York City Offices of Emergency Management will
participate in the drill. The Long Island Rail Road, Long Island towns and major
villages are also encouraged to participate.
They will be doing everything from cutting back on electric consumption to
taking the opportunity to test emergency back-up generation, communications
equipment and emergency response plans.
LIPA is also cosponsoring the LI/NYC 13th Annual Emergency Management
Conference at the Huntington Hilton, Melville, New York from May 31st to June
1st. The 13th Annual Long Island/New York City Emergency Management Conference,
“Back to Basics: Learning from the Gulf Coast Experience” will examine what
happened when one of the ultimate natural disasters – a hurricane - struck not
once, not twice, but three times in the course of several weeks. How did
emergency teams respond? What kind of planning must be re-examined?
The conference will chronicle the perils hurled upon the states of
Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana as well as Florida this past hurricane
season.
This training conference will attempt to analyze the lessons learned and
assess the missteps in order to provide participants with proven strategies for
planning for, responding to and managing natural disasters in New York State’s
hurricane prone areas.
In 2004 LIPA produced a DVD, in cooperation with the American Red Cross,
entitled, “Be Prepared: Plan Now!” The six-minute presentation provides a
suggested action plan to follow in order to begin the emergency planning
process. The DVD is available at all Nassau and Suffolk County libraries as well
as libraries on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.
LIPA and the American Red Cross suggest having the following items in your
home or businesses “Go Kit” to last three to five days:
- one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
- at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First Aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter the air
- Moist towelettes for sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off burst water utilities facilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place, if instructed to be
used by authorities
- Infant formula and diapers for infant care
- Garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation needs
The business community should carefully review their emergency response
procedures and go through the steps of a potential crisis and then plan the
company's response at each step in the process. Issues to consider should
include:
- Notifying emergency and rescue services, including police, fire,
emergency medical technicians and other health care professionals.
- Communicating with media.
- Communicating with employees' families.
- Communicating with vendors, customers, other third-parties and the
public.
- Safeguarding personnel, including means to evacuate employees, if
necessary.
- Providing first aid and other emergency medical treatment.
- Safeguarding critical records, documents, equipment, inventory and other
physical assets.
- Preserving computer records.
- Preserving telephone records and voicemail messages.
- Maintaining safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, smoke
detectors and sprinklers.
- Coordinating repairs with insurance carriers and state/local
governments.
- Obtaining temporary use of alternative equipment or facilities while
making repairs.
For additional information and further suggestions, visit LIPA’s Web site at
www.lipower.org, or SEMO at www.nysemo.state.ny.us, or the Red Cross at
www.redcross.org. Extensive emergency planning information and links to
important weather and emergency information sites can be obtained at these Web
sites. |
