Disaster preparedness

1. Disaster preparedness

2. New York state 2011 - 12

3. disasters 2012 • Nationwide • Last year, more than 1,000 deaths and more than 8,000 injuries were caused by tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other types of severe weather • Hurricane Lee & Irene hit New York State Between August and September 2011 • Public Assistance was federally approved for 31 counties from Long Island to the Canadian border. FEMA reimbursed $32.2 million for repairing roads, bridges, utilities, schools and other public facilities across the state. There are approximately 13,000 such repair projects from 1,974 eligible applicants • FEMA anticipates that the cost of these projects will eventually exceed $1.3 billion • New York State Experienced Record Setting Heat & Frost Between March and April • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 28 New York counties as natural disaster areas due to crop losses caused by excessive heat and freezes that began March 1 through April 30th. • Counties span from Vermont to Buffalo; the lower Hudson Valley and Catskills • The USDA designated Orange and Rockland counties as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by frosts and freezes, high winds and hail that occurred March 26 to April 30

4. Being prepared takes 4 simple steps... An ice storm, hurricane, health threat, ID theft, criminal action or act of terrorism can occur quickly and without warning. Be ready to protect yourself and your family by following these safety steps: 1. Develop a Family Emergency Plan Emergencies may strike anywhere. Develop a plan at home. But, also learn about plans at your workplace, or anywhere else you and your family may spend time. 2. Stock up on Emergency Supplies Often during an emergency, electricity, heat, air conditioning, or telephone service may not work. Be prepared to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. Learn what emergency tools and supplies you should stock up on. 3. Be Aware Sign up for NY-ALERT at www.nyalert.gov to receive emergency notifications. Also, know what other resources can provide you with up-to-date information during an emergency. Pay attention to the news, and know your surroundings. 4. Get Involved Be generous and donate some of your time. Learn what types of programs for volunteers exist within your community. 4 SIMPLE STEPS

5. Steps to take to create a household emergency plan include the following: • Meet with your family members and discuss the dangers of possible emergency events • Discuss how you and your family will respond to each possible emergency • Discuss what to do in case of power outages or personal injuries • Teach adults how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. • Draw a floor plan of your home. If possible, mark two escape routes from each room. • Select two places to meet • Designated area outside your home for an emergency such as fire • A place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home • Post emergency contact numbers near all telephones such as Police, Fire, and Medical • Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as your "emergency family check-in contact" • Install safety features in your home • smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors • Have your family learn basic safety and first aid measures • Keep family records in a waterproof and fireproof safe • Have emergency supplies on hand Family emergency plan

6. Pre-staging supplies enhances a families chances for resiliency during emergencies… • Often during an emergency, electricity, water, heat, air conditioning or telephone service may not work. Be prepared to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. The basic items below are essential to helping you prepare for what you and your family will need. Consider two kits. In one put everything you will need to stay where you are. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version or “Bug Out Pack” you can take with you if you have to evacuate: • Food and Water • One gallon of water per person per day • Estimate about 2,500 calories per day of food, per person, minimum • Freeze dried and canned foods (Meals Ready to Eat, etc.) • Health and Hygiene Supplies • Basic toiletries • First aid kit • One weeks supply of necessary prescriptions • Personal Supplies • Physical cash reserve • ID, copies of important documents • Clothing, shoes, rain gear, bedding, hats, gloves • Basic tools (pocket knife, solar powered emergency radio, flashlights, etc.) Emergency supplies

7. In today‘s dynamic socioeconomic global environment, we’re forced to face the reality that disasters, criminal acts, ID theft, and terrorism aren’t always happening to the “other guy”. To preclude becoming a victim, consider the following proven measures to keep your family safe: • Doors & Windows • Install solid doors and Grade 1 deadbolt locks on all exterior doors • Lock all windows when not home; including secondary and subsequent floors • Hang window treatments that obstruct the view into your home • Install a wide-angle viewer in the door(s) of your home • Exterior & Interior • Install motion sensitive lighting • Keep bushes and trees trimmed, located away from windows and the foundation • Install an alarm system • Mark your equipment with identification numbers and keep an updated inventory with photos • Arrange for general home upkeep and maintenance when away for any lengthy duration • Consider timers for lights, radios, and televisions to maintain a look of active occupancy • ID Theft • Mark only your house numbers on your mailbox and residence; nothing more • Shred all mail and discarded documents; invest in a good quality crosscut shredder • Never allow unattended package deliveries to your residence • Stop mail & periodicals delivery when gone for extended periods General home security

8. terrorism National Counterterrorism Center 2011 Report on Terrorism Published June 2012 The report gives a chronological listing of terrorist attacks causing ten or more deaths, month by month. It states, "over 10,000 terrorist attacks occurred in 2011, affecting nearly 45,000 victims in 70 countries and resulting in over 12,500 deaths. The total number of worldwide attacks in 2011, however, dropped by almost 12 percent from 2010 and nearly 29 percent from 2007. Although the 2011 numbers represent five-year lows, they also underscore the human toll and geographic reach of terrorism. The Near East and South Asia continued to experience the most attacks, incurring just over 75 percent of the 2011 total. In addition, Africa and the Western Hemisphere experienced five-year highs in the number of attacks, exhibiting the constant evolution of the terrorist threat." Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari January 04, 2011 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Soliciting Others to Engage in Acts of Terrorism Ahmed Ferhani and Mohamed Mamdouh May 12, 2011 New York City Attempt to Attack Synagogue Jose Pimentel November 20, 2011 New York City Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction

9. Eight signs of terrorism • 1. Surveillance: Terrorist cells have been known to record and monitor activities • a. Individuals taking pictures and making drawings of particular facilities • b. Individuals you see at emergency scenes on a repeat basis that don’t belong • 2. Information Gathering: Unusual questions that appear to be more than typical curiosity • a. Daily Operations • b. Staffing • c. Security Protocols • 3. Tests of Security: Measuring reaction times to entering restricted areas • a. Loitering in and around your work area • b. Stealing emergency vehicles or equipment • c. Stealing uniforms or special access badges • 4. Funding: Suspicious transactions • a. Large cash payments, deposits, withdrawals, or transfers of money • b. Bulk cash smuggling; suspected financial fraud • c. Sale of counterfeit goods • d. Misleading charities

10. Eight signs of terrorism • 5. Acquiring Supplies: Individual acquiring those materials has no business doing so • a. Attempting to obtain explosives, weapons, uniforms, badges, credentials, etc. b. Amassing large quantities of unusually specific or unique equipment • 6. Suspicious Persons Out of Place: People who are in places they should not be • a. People who don’t fit the daily routine of surroundings or the emergency scene • 7. Dry or Trial Run: People that just look out of place or at multiple emergency scenes • a. Could be part of a dry run exercise for illegal activity • b. Multiple false alarms to the same location (government buildings, schools, etc.) • 8. Deploying Assets: People and supplies getting into position to commit an act of violence • a. Vehicles that seem excessively heavy (sagging on the springs, bulging tires) • b. Vehicles with unusual amount of people inside • c. Frenzied activity, abnormal amount of inappropriate supplies and equipment • Every citizen can serve as the eyes and ears of First Responders in the war on terror. • Armed with this information, anyone can recognize elements of potential terror • planning when they see it. If you witness any of these signs; do not attempt to • intercede. Note as many details as possible from a safe distance; immediately extract • yourself from the area and call 911. Let the professionals assess the situation.

11. Fighter pilots, First Responders and combat veterans have an old axiom that can be applied to the general populace; keep your head on a swivel. This is more so apropos to today's post 9-11 society than at any time in our past. With that thought in mind: • Avoid large crowds or events when possible • Be cognizant of whom and what is around you • Monitor your bags, wallets, and purchased items closely • Be wary of suspicious behavior, packages, vehicles – if in doubt; report it • Always walk around your vehicle prior to entering it • Simple things like flat tires to pilfered items and signs of tampering more easily seen • Watch traffic for unusual activity; if followed drive to nearest law enforcement facility • Take note of nearest ingress and egress points for aircraft, buildings, etc. • Be aware of anything that is out of the norm for your neighbors property • Vary your routes to and from home, work, and places you commonly frequent • Avoid falling into a routine pattern for daily activities • Watch, listen, read local & national news media and print outlets; stay abreast of current events • Consider a scanner that receives emergency weather and local emergency traffic Situational awareness

12. NATIONAL Advisory system

13. NEW YORK Advisory system

14. Get involved www.redcross.org/ www.policevolunteers.org www.gocivilairpatrol.com www.medicalreservecorps.gov www.citizencorps.gov/cert/index.shtm www.nvfc.org/

15. National Terrorism Advisory System www.dhs.gov/alerts NATIONAL COUNTER TERRORISM CENTER www.nctc.gov NEW YORK EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM www.nyalert.gov New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services www.dhses.ny.gov ID THEFT INFORMATION www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft resources

16. If you see something… Saysomething…