NY National Guard Offering Disaster Preparedness Training at Adelphi University on Nov. 12

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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.

GARDEN CITY, NY (11/06/2014)(readMedia)-- New York National Guard troops will be giving free disaster preparedness classes at Adelphi University here at 6 p.m., Wednesday, November 12.

The event is part of Governor 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.

Since the program's launch in early February, troops have held about 180 events statewide, and taught over 23,000 citizens how to be better prepared for emergencies and disasters. These events included a 10-location push on Sept. 27, when troops trained more than 1,300 people at places like Stony Brook University in neighboring Suffolk County and venues in the North Country, southern tier, Finger Lakes region, and Western New York area.

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.

"New Yorkers are acutely aware of the damage that frequent and severe storms inflict on communities across the state," Cuomo said in a press release ahead of the Sept. 27 events. 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 before the Sept. 27 events. "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.

Adelphi University is located at 1 South Avenue in Garden City, and the troops will be conducting the training in the Ruth S. Harley University Center-Ballroom. Citizens are encouraged to register for the event at www.dhses.ny.gov/aware-prepare/nysprepare/registration

For more information about the event, call the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs at 518-786-6186, or Master Sgt. Ray Drumsta at 518-786-6151.

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