Training Takes Place on Senior Citizens’ Days at the Fair, August 27 and 28

Each participant Receives a Free Emergency “Go-Kit”

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in partnership with the New York National Guard will present a free disaster preparedness class at The Great New York State Fair at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 27, and Tuesday, August 28, in the Empire Room Restaurant.   The training sessions teach attendees how to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and manmade disasters and emergencies.  A free backpack of resources will also be provided to participants. Registration for the training sessions are now underway online on the New York State Prepare website at https://prepare.ny.gov/training-events.

The Monday and Tuesday trainings coincide with the Fair’s Senior Citizens’ Days, when senior citizens sixty years of age and older are offered free admission with ID showing their date of birth. The program, designed by experts from DHSES' Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control is conducted by personnel from the New York National Guard and local emergency management officials at locations across New York State.

"No matter where you live in New York State, residents need to prepare for both natural and man-made disasters," said Roger Parrino, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “From floods, fires, snowstorms, acts of terrorism, or active shooter situations, people need to know the risks associated with where they live, work or travel, they need to be their own first responder, and have a plan in place until help arrives.  This course allows attendees to prepare in advance for all types of emergencies before they happen, so they can be prepared, act accordingly, and recover more quickly."

"Emergency preparedness is part and parcel of the New York National Guard's mission and experience and our Soldiers and Airmen are proud to be part of Governor Cuomo's effort to help our fellow citizens prepare to cope with disasters and emergencies," said New York State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Anthony German. 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 first-hand the value of being prepared."

The training kicks off National Preparedness Month, a nationwide campaign conducted annually each September to increase public awareness about emergencies with a focus on actions that can be taken before disaster strikes.  This year’s National Preparedness Month will focus on planning, with an overarching theme, “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.” Every week in September will focus on a different type of disaster – flood, wildfire, hurricane, and power outages.

The Citizen Preparedness Corps training curriculum was developed by experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Offices of Emergency Management (OEM) and Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) and is led by instructors from the New York National Guard.  All training sessions are conducted in coordination with local county emergency management personnel and provide an introduction to natural or man-made disaster response.

Participants will be advised on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies.  A key component of this training is the distribution of free New York State Disaster Preparedness Kits to all participants (one per family) containing key items to assist individuals in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.  The state training and kits will help New Yorkers be the most-trained and best-prepared citizens in the country.

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 items citizens should add to their kits. For more information on the program and emergency preparedness, visit prepare.ny.gov.

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

DHSES provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies.  For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter and Instagram or visit dhses.ny.gov.