The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an “active to extremely active” hurricane season with 14–23 named storms and the possibility of 3–7 major hurricanes.
The New York Metropolitan Region of the American Red Cross, conducted it’s first “region-wide” shelter exercise on June 12 by opening 35 shelters (16 live and 19 simulated) throughout the jurisdiction, which includes New York City, Rockland, Sullivan, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau Counties and Greenwich, CT. “The Red Cross is always there to help our neighbors when they need it most––everyday, 365 days a year,” said American Red Cross NY Metropolitan Region CEO Theresa Bischoff. “In order to successfully reduce the risk of harm or injury in the 2,800 incidents that we respond to in the NY metro region, we need to be prepared. I therefore, commend the respective chapter teams for coming together to conduct this ‘mega-drill’ so that we are prepared to respond to disasters––large and small––in a timely and effective manner.”
The “mega-drill” simulated an emergency scenario such as a hurricane or major thunderstorms that would necessitate the opening of Red Cross shelters as thousands of residents throughout the region are forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding and power outages. This scenario is extremely relevant based on NOAA predicting that we’re in for a wild ride and that this may be “one of the most active seasons on record.” Red Cross chapters throughout the region have worked with government and community partners to identify and evaluate hundreds of schools, churches and other facilities that can serve as shelters, and 16 of these were opened and operated during the drill, and an additional 19 were incorporated into the exercise on a simulation basis.
The 35 shelters in the drill had the ability to accommodate 50 to 4,600 residents per shelter, or a total of more than 40,000 people throughout the NY Metropolitan Region. Shelters were set up to provide immediate emergency care, inclusive of a warm, safe place to stay, food, beverages, shower facilities, personal hygiene kits and health (e.g., medications, medical devices) and mental health services.
The exercise was a true testament to the Red Cross’ ability to be there with immediate emergency care and assistance for the almost 14 million New Yorkers serviced in the New York Metropolitan Region should a major natural or manmade disaster strike the area. “We continually want to assure ourselves and our neighbors that we are ready to meet the challenges of disaster and reduce the risk of harm and injury to those affected by such incidents,” said American Red Cross in Greater New York Chief Response Officer Bob Imbornoni. “Reducing risk and increasing the resilience of the Red Cross team and the community is what this mega-drill was all about,” added Red Cross Nassau County Chapter CEO Frank Cassano.
The American Red Cross, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to people affected by disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. In order to effectively and seamlessly fulfill this mission throughout the New York Metropolitan Region, the region’s 5 community chapters, serving almost 14 million residents and helping up to 125,000 people each year affected by disasters, conduct drills and exercises throughout the year to prepare and train for emergencies and disasters of all scales.
The New York Metropolitan Region of the American Red Cross, conducted it’s first “region-wide” shelter exercise on June 12 by opening 35 shelters (16 live and 19 simulated) throughout the jurisdiction, which includes New York City, Rockland, Sullivan, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau Counties and Greenwich, CT. “The Red Cross is always there to help our neighbors when they need it most––everyday, 365 days a year,” said American Red Cross NY Metropolitan Region CEO Theresa Bischoff. “In order to successfully reduce the risk of harm or injury in the 2,800 incidents that we respond to in the NY metro region, we need to be prepared. I therefore, commend the respective chapter teams for coming together to conduct this ‘mega-drill’ so that we are prepared to respond to disasters––large and small––in a timely and effective manner.”
The “mega-drill” simulated an emergency scenario such as a hurricane or major thunderstorms that would necessitate the opening of Red Cross shelters as thousands of residents throughout the region are forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding and power outages. This scenario is extremely relevant based on NOAA predicting that we’re in for a wild ride and that this may be “one of the most active seasons on record.” Red Cross chapters throughout the region have worked with government and community partners to identify and evaluate hundreds of schools, churches and other facilities that can serve as shelters, and 16 of these were opened and operated during the drill, and an additional 19 were incorporated into the exercise on a simulation basis.
The 35 shelters in the drill had the ability to accommodate 50 to 4,600 residents per shelter, or a total of more than 40,000 people throughout the NY Metropolitan Region. Shelters were set up to provide immediate emergency care, inclusive of a warm, safe place to stay, food, beverages, shower facilities, personal hygiene kits and health (e.g., medications, medical devices) and mental health services.
The exercise was a true testament to the Red Cross’ ability to be there with immediate emergency care and assistance for the almost 14 million New Yorkers serviced in the New York Metropolitan Region should a major natural or manmade disaster strike the area. “We continually want to assure ourselves and our neighbors that we are ready to meet the challenges of disaster and reduce the risk of harm and injury to those affected by such incidents,” said American Red Cross in Greater New York Chief Response Officer Bob Imbornoni. “Reducing risk and increasing the resilience of the Red Cross team and the community is what this mega-drill was all about,” added Red Cross Nassau County Chapter CEO Frank Cassano.
The American Red Cross, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to people affected by disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. In order to effectively and seamlessly fulfill this mission throughout the New York Metropolitan Region, the region’s 5 community chapters, serving almost 14 million residents and helping up to 125,000 people each year affected by disasters, conduct drills and exercises throughout the year to prepare and train for emergencies and disasters of all scales.
http://www.nyredcross.org/?nd=news_room_detail&news_id=182&jid=63321
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