Healthy Life

Kick Off Disaster Preparedness Month –

A New York State Citizens Preparedness event starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Come to the Oswego Elks Lodge, at 132 W. Fifth St. to learn how to be prepared for an emergency or other disaster. This training course is free and open to the public. Each family that attends will receive one preparedness kit.

“Severe weather events are becoming more frequent and intense in Oswego County,” said Cathleen Palmitesso, director of the Oswego County Emergency Management Office. “Last February’s lake effect snowstorm left many roads impassable for several days. This public course is designed to help residents better prepare for future events and ensure they have the necessary tools and resources to manage long-duration emergencies.”

Oswego County Director of Public Health Vera Dunsmoor added, “This is a great way to kick off National Disaster Preparedness Month in September. Disasters can happen at any time and this course can help people learn how to minimize harm to themselves and their families.”

Oswego Fire Chief Paul Conzone noted the city and county have seen flooding, ice storms, heat waves, multiple-day power outages and other events that have impacted residents’ ability to get needed supplies during an emergency.

“Being prepared at home allows emergency responders to focus on assisting the injured during events like floods or snowstorms,” said Conzone. “We encourage everyone to attend and learn how to take care of themselves and their families.”

Topics will cover what families should have on-hand to handle any type of disaster, how to respond to emergencies, and how to recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. Participants will learn how to develop a family emergency plan and what supplies to include in a disaster supplies kit.

Registration is required. To register, visit www.prepare.ny.gov. Those who do not have access to the internet may call Terry Bennett at the Oswego County Emergency Management Office at 315-591-9160.            

This training is co-sponsored by the city of Oswego, the Oswego County Health Department and Oswego County Emergency Management Office.