Lawmakers to host Citizen Preparedness Corps training session

February 7, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Councilmember Mark Treyger says part of the aim of the training session is to ensure that Brooklyn families never have to experience the devastation of a Sandy-type of hurricane ever again. Photo courtesy of Treyger’s office

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Two elected officials whose districts sustained devastating damage in Superstorm Sandy are teaming up with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office to host an emergency preparedness training session in Coney Island.

Assemblymember Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island-Dyker Heights-Bay Ridge) and Councilmember Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) will hold a free Citizen Preparedness Corps training session on Thursday, Feb. 9, at Liberation Diploma Plus High School, at 2865 W. 19th St., starting at 6 p.m.

Coney Island buildings were flooded during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and many homeowners and business owners are still rebuilding their lives, more than four years later, Harris said.

“Disasters like Superstorm Sandy can devastate our homes and neighborhoods quickly and without warning. We experienced firsthand on Coney Island how much of a toll weather emergencies can take. I’m working to ensure all of our families have the proper tools and resources to be safe and prepared in case disaster strikes again,” Harris said in a statement.

“For coastal areas like ours, we always have to be ready. Never again should our families have to experience the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. This session is a must,” Treyger said in a statement.

The Citizen Preparedness Corps is a state-run program by the Cuomo administration in which two-hour courses are offered to teach New Yorkers how to prepare for a natural disaster, respond to the emergency and recover as quickly as possible.

A trained disaster specialist will be on hand at the Feb. 9 session to lead the training and answer questions about how to handle a crisis situation. The topics will include what supplies to have on hand, what resources are available and how to quickly respond to and recover from an emergency.

Families will receive a free Citizen Preparedness Corps Response Starter Kit, while the supplies last.

Registration is required. To sign up, visit prepare.ny.gov.