Before the storm: Prepare yourself

Hurricane Sandy taught Long Island residents that in an emergency or a disaster you need to be able to care for yourself and each other, not count on outside help; it may not be coming. To that end, New York State and Nassau County are holding a series citizen preparedness seminars so there will be a cadre of local individuals who will be able to assist others if the need arises.

In a class on Dec. 4 at the Island Park Library, Captain Rafael Castillo, Troop Commander in the New York Army National Guard, explained that there are four types of disasters: natural, man made, technological and terrorism.

The cornerstone of the program is making sure you have everything you need to survive on your own should one or more disasters strike, including water, food, medicine and first aid kits, a light source and protection from the elements.

The program presented attendees with “Go Bags”, backpacks filled with basic items you might need. Castillo said the time to prepare is now, “because once word gets out a storm is coming, or a disaster happens, it will be too late.” It is important to have an emergency plan, and to practice and rehearse, he said, so every family member, from home, or every employee from work knows what to do. Most important, he said, have a meeting point outside the area, and a phone contact far away, so everyone can call in to one number and find a trusted person on the other end. He asked if the people attending remembered the lack of telephone capability during Sandy. “No power,” he said, “no communication, so it is important to have someone way outside the disaster area act as a point of contact so each family member can call in when they are able instead of trying to reach each other.”

Castillo recommended people make copies of all important documents, including insurance, titles, mortgages, licenses and prescriptions and have those copies kept safe at the distant meeting point. Most important, understand that you will be on your own and plan accordingly.

The program is an initiative of the Governor’s office and is sponsored locally by Senator Dean Skelos, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Legislator Denise Ford. Assemblyman Elect Todd Kaminsky (D-RVC) and Ford attended this presentation.