Albany, NY – On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, several North Hempstead Town officials joined Governor Andrew Cuomo and hundreds of first responders and local officials from across New York State for an Emergency Preparedness conference announcing new state-wide training programs.
North Hempstead Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin, Emergency Management Director Thomas McDonough, and Grants Coordinator Thomas Devaney made the trip to Albany on October 28 to meet with Governor Cuomo, and talk with Emergency Management professionals across the state in order to exchange ideas on techniques and protocols used in emergency situations.
Now, with the announcement of uniform emergency preparedness training, all emergency first responders from across the state will take part in the same training program.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said, “We are launching the State’s first-ever Emergency Management Certification and Training Program to establish a more effective and streamlined emergency response on all levels of government, and we have obtained approval to use the federal wireless emergency alert system to better reach New Yorkers during a future emergency.”
The conference also discussed measures taken on a state-level to enhance communications which includes ‘NY Alert’ messages. The Town of North Hempstead has mirrored that effort on a local level with its ‘North Hempstead Alert’ Emergency Text Notification System that uses telephone, email or text message to homes and businesses in the event of an emergency.
Other current Town projects include the potential creation of a new wireless network that will ensure the Town never loses connection or its ability to contact constituents in an emergency, as well as an updated Emergency Management protocol guidebook for all first responders.
“We have been working for the past year to enhance communications during emergencies as well as training for first responders,” Public Safety Commissioner De Martin said. “Now, with the assistance of Gov. Cuomo we will be even more equipped to deal with future natural disasters.”
North Hempstead Town Supervisor John Riordan said, “I commend Governor Cuomo for ensuring that all levels of government are on the same page when it comes to Emergency Management protocols. Government is most effective when all of us work together.”
From left, Governor Andrew Cuomo, with Town Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin and Grants Coordinator Thomas Devaney.