LIPA/KeySpan Promote Emergency Preparedness with Island-wide “I’m Ready”
Drill
As 2006 Hurricane Season Begins, Long Islanders Are Urged
to Practice Emergency Response Plans
Hicksville, NY – June 2, 2006 – “Hurricane Helen” hit Long Island as a
Category II storm, with winds gusting to Cat III level of 115 mph. The mock
hurricane caused over $9 billion in property damage, while putting some 800,000
LIPA electric customers and 90,000 KeySpan gas customers out of service.
Fortunately, “Helen” is just the storm scenario supplied by LIPA/KeySpan to
both Nassau and Suffolk counties for today’s Island-wide hurricane preparedness
drill. But, LIPA customers now have the opportunity to participate in today’s
hurricane drill by reducing non-essential electric use between the hours of noon
and 3PM. At the same time, residential and commercial customers are being urged
to take the time to check on all of the things that should be done to prepare
for a real life Hurricane Helen.
Now in its third year, the “I’m Ready” drill is a public education effort
designed to foster wider participation by the public in emergency response
procedures, and is sponsored by LIPA, KeySpan, the New York State Office of
Emergency Management, and both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“We’re asking LIPA customers to do three things today: reduce non-essential
electric consumption between the hours of noon and 3:00 P.M.; review their
emergency preparedness; and go to LIPA’s Web site – www.lipower.org – to fill
out a survey on emergency preparedness to acknowledge that they are actively
engaged in planning for an emergency,” 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.”
“People should take this opportunity during our ‘I’m Ready’ drill to
anticipate the actions they would take before an emergency occurs,” said Mr.
Kessel. “By planning ahead and practicing what to do in an emergency, we can
cope with an emergency better and quite possibly save our own lives.”
"We all know our greatest defense in an emergency situation is to be
prepared," said Tony Nozzolillo, KeySpan Executive Vice President of Electric
Operations. "Just as KeySpan's workforce readies all year long through drills
and training classes, we hope that Long Islanders take this opportunity to
create their own emergency plan and ensure that it works for them.”
“Our 900 members are cross trained to handle vital tasks during any storm
event to perform emergency repairs and vital services,” said Don Daley, Business
Manager, IBEW Local, 1381.
Everett Lewis, Assistant Business Manager, IBEW Local 1049 noted that all
2,800 members of 1049 do the field work to repair the electric system and
rebuild it after a storm. 1049 members also staff KeySpan’s power plants that
provide the bulk of the electrical required by Long Island.
Jack O’Connell, President/CEO, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island
reported that the Council transmitted over 1600 e-mails to various non-profit
groups island-wide urging them to participate in today’s drill.
“We will be reducing electric use by one-third in our stores by restricting
non-essential equipment use and modifying air conditioning during the drill,”
said Steve Mitchell, Director of Facilities, King Kullen Supermarkets.
“Every year we do a systems-wide drill in all 15 hospitals. We are thankful
to be included in the drill today. Today we will be shutting off lights in
corridors, and pumps that are not necessary,” said Al Bolivar, Associate
Executive Director of Facilities Plant Management for North Shore Health at
Plainview and North Shore Syosset.
Terri Greis, Director of Facilities, Hofstra University indicated that
Hofstra is participating in the island-wide drill by lowering electric use on
campus while checking on emergency plans and backup systems.
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 will be
made available to the first 500 responders to the survey. The first 200 survey
responders will be sent a free Emergency Preparedness Starter Kit. And all
customers who respond to the online survey will be eligible to win a portable
home generator.
LIPA suggests having the following items in your home or business “Go
Kit:”
- one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation,
more with pets present;
- 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
- 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; and
- Garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation needs.
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.
ISLANDWIDE EMERGENCY DRILL CHECKLIST
Thursday – June 2, 2006 – noon to 3PM
A Few Suggestions for Decreasing Overall Electrical Use
How can you participate in the “I’m Ready” Drill? Reduce the
use of the following at home and/or at work:
-
Lights
-
Kitchen appliances (Toaster ovens, Stoves, Blenders,
Microwaves, Dishwashers, Coffee Makers, etc.)
-
Computers/Printers/ Fax machines
-
Do not turn on Televisions/DVD Players/VCRs/Video game
stations
-
Radios/CD players
-
Air Conditioners/Dehumidifiers
-
Electronic musical instruments
-
Hair dryers
-
Battery chargers
-
Power tools (saws, drills, etc.)
-
Vacuums
-
Washing machines/dryers
-
Alarm Clocks
-
Irons
-
ALL NON-ESSENTIAL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
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