TOWN OF NEWBURGH, NY -
On August 23, 2011 the east coast experienced the effects of a significant
earthquake. While no serious problems
unfolded, it should serve the Town of Newburgh, and region, as a wake-up call
to review local emergency preparedness plans.
A review of the Town of
Newburgh Emergency Management Plan reveals what steps are taken in certain
situations. In reviewing the plan, it is
clear that sections are outdated and updates have not been made in years. Having an up-to-date plan in place is an essential
guide for dealing with emergency situations in the realm of both natural and
manmade disasters. These plans must be consistently updated.
The Town of Newburgh
plan is almost identical in language and layout to dozens of emergency plans
throughout the State of New York. The
difference in these plans, in most cases, is the insertion of specific town
names or counties, elected official titles and town organizations. The concern with these plans, specifically in
reviewing the Town of Newburgh plan, is that while they address many emergency
situations that can universally occur they do not address situations and needs
that might be specific to the immediate area in the event of an emergency. While many of the details in these plans are
well thought out and provide direction, these plans need to be taken a step
further on Town, City and Village levels to directly confront case specific
situations that are unique to the constituents of that municipality. The Town of Newburgh should not let this type
of plan become out-of-date.
Specific steps that
will be ready and put into action with Stephen Krasner as Supervisor would
include:
- Update and
distribution, via U.S. Postal mail, of emergency plan and guide to each
taxpayer to serve as a resource in the event of an emergency in the Town
of Newburgh
- Create
system to communicate with public on all mediums possible that include
social media platforms as a means to distribute information in the event
of an emergency
- Increase
community involvement in emergency preparedness planning, hold a public
hearing for input
Stephen
Krasner, as Supervisor, would implement the following two tools immediately
after taking office:
(1) Cell Phone Emergency Registry: This would allow residents to voluntarily
input cell numbers into a registry to receive emergency notifications and
updates via text messages and voicemail from the Town of Newburgh.
(2) Elderly and Disabled
Emergency Registry System: Recognizing the Town of Newburgh has the highest
population of senior citizens in Orange County this system would allow seniors,
and residents with disabilities, to volunteer details about medical problems,
physical limitations and other difficulties to be utilized by emergency responders
in the event of an emergency situation in the Town of Newburgh.
Every locality in the
region has different variables when it comes to location, population, geography
and infrastructure. An Emergency
Management Plan for the Town of Newburgh should be fluid and constantly
evolving to be specific to the town and to match the pace of growth, trends and
needs amongst the residents.
Proactive planning and
community awareness and involvement ultimately saves lives in the event of an
emergency. |