Brewster, NY— Extreme weather events are common in Putnam County. Just this year in February, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne declared a state of emergency and issued a 13-hour overnight travel ban in advance of severe winter weather. In July, torrential rains and flash flooding prompted a state of emergency to be declared in Putnam Valley by Town Supervisor Alison Jolicoeur. That’s why each September the Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) promotes National Preparedness Month to remind residents to prepare before emergencies strike. 

“We’ve seen firsthand how quickly severe weather can impact our communities, whether it’s a major winter storm, flash flooding or another unexpected emergency,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. “Our first responders and emergency management professionals work year-round to keep Putnam safe, but preparedness starts at home. Taking a few simple steps now like having a plan, keeping basic supplies ready and knowing how to receive emergency alerts, can make a real difference when every minute counts.”

A household emergency plan is the first step to preparedness. The plan itself should be simple enough for all family members to understand and follow. It should consider the needs of children, older adults, household members with disabilities, and pets, including transportation needs, medications, mobility or medical equipment, service animals, pet supplies, and other resources. Families should also identify a meeting place and discuss how family members will communicate if they become separated or are not together since some may be at work, school, or elsewhere when an emergency occurs.

Residents should plan to keep an emergency go-bag readily available. Basic supplies can include nonperishable food, water, a first-aid kit, necessary medications, a flashlight with extra batteries, a phone charger and an extra change of clothing. Supplies can be added based on specific needs, including items for children, older adults, and household members with disabilities.

Keeping an emergency go-bag in one’s vehicle is also encouraged. Having basic supplies at hand is important if an emergency occurs when an individual is away from home or unable to return home immediately. “My best advice for National Preparedness Month is not to get overwhelmed and try to do everything at once. Take 15 minutes each Sunday in September to take one small step: grab an extra gallon of water during your grocery run, download your local emergency app, place critical documents in a single waterproof bag, take photos of your license and medical cards,” encourages Connie Bueti, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. 

A pet go-bag should include food, water, a collapsible or portable water bowl, medications, a leash or carrier, and copies of veterinary records and identification information. Residents may also want to include a recent photo of their pet and contact information for the pet’s veterinarian. Having these supplies prepared in advance can help families find and claim them if they become separated during an emergency.

A Citizen Preparedness Course (CPC) can help turn these suggestions into actions. Matthew Nadolny, MPA, the Director of Emergency Management for Putnam County explained, "The Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services is excited to host the Citizen Preparedness Course. The CPC's purpose is to teach people how to prepare for disaster or emergency situations. 
We encourage the community to participate in this great event knowing that learning how to help yourself and others in advance will help you react faster when facing a crisis or emergency." A training is scheduled for the evening of October 29 at the Bureau of Emergency Services. Registration can be completed at the following link: https://pspapps.dhses.ny.gov/CitizenPreparednessCorps/views/registrant/add.xhtml?lang=en&eventId=884

Staying informed about emergencies and other events throughout the county is easy by signing up for Putnam County Alerts. Residents who register can select the alerts and notifications that are most relevant to them, including instructions for safety precautions and evacuation. Receiving and following these directions can make all the difference.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

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Resources:

• FEMA Ready.gov – National Preparedness Month 
  Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov
• The Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services – PREADY
  https://www.putnamcountyny.gov/proto2 
• Citizen's Preparedness Course
  https://www.dhses.ny.gov/citizen-preparedness-corps