Citizen Preparedness Training at City College of New York on Thursday May 14

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New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Joseph Hernon leads a Citizens Emergency Preparedness Corps session in Watertown, N.Y., on June 26, 2014.

NEW YORK NY (05/12/2015)(readMedia)-- New York National Guard troops will be giving free disaster preparedness classes at City College's North Academic Center Building Aranow Theater on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m.

The event is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's continuing Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program, which gives citizens the knowledge and tools to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond accordingly, and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. Working with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and local emergency management personnel, troops are conducting these training events across the state.

Citizens should register for the event at www.dhses.ny.gov/aware-prepare/nysprepare/registration.

The venue is located at Convent Ave and 136th Street.

Since the program's launch in early February 2014, troops have held more than 280 events statewide, and taught over 33,200 citizens how to be better prepared for emergencies and disasters.

The program, designed by DHSES, covers a broad range of emergency-preparedness topics, like developing a family emergency plan, stocking up on emergency supplies, and registering for NY-Alert, the free statewide emergency alert system.

The Citizen Preparedness Corps has equipped thousands of New Yorkers to respond better to emergencies and disasters, he stressed.

Emergency preparedness is part and parcel of the New York National Guard's mission and experience, according New York State Adjutant Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy.

"The men and women of the New York Army and Air National Guard, who have responded to help their fellow New Yorkers during floods, hurricanes, and snow storms, know first-hand the value of being prepared for emergencies," Murphy said.

"Our Soldiers and Airmen are proud to be part of Governor Cuomo's effort to help our fellow citizens prepare to cope with disasters and emergencies."

Participants will receive a training certificate, a wallet-sized "Z-Card" with emergency preparedness information, and a free Citizen Preparedness Starter Kit (one per family). The kit includes a first-aid kit, face mask, pocket radio with batteries, food bars, emergency blanket and other key items to help citizens in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The classes include information about what other supplies and items citizens should add to their kits.

For more information on the program and emergency preparedness, visit www.nyprepare.gov