4 The Courier sun • FEBRUARY 18, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMES TO GLENDALE DURING 104COP MEETING By ANTHONY GIUDICE agiudice@qns.com/ @A_GiudiceReport Do you know what to do during a disaster? The 104 Civilian Observation Patrol (104COP), invited community members to a special presentation by the Citizen Preparedness Corps to help answer that question, and many more, during their monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11, at St. Pancras School in Glendale. The presentation was created by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office, the Department of Homeland Security and Military Naval Affairs to inform citizens on how to be prepared for, and get out of, a disaster situation. The goal of this program is to inform more than 100,000 New Yorkers on disaster preparedness. “There are 5.8 million people in Queens and Brooklyn,” said Sergeant Gasper Teri III, who gave the presentation. “So 100,000 is just a drop in the bucket, and we have reached 95,000 so far.” There are three types of disasters: natural disasters which include hurricanes, tornados and other weather-related events; manmade disasters including acts of terrorism; and technological disasters including the loss of the use of electronic equipment. Out of all 50 states, New York is at the highest risk for a potential issue, Teri informed those in attendance, so it is important to know what to do before, during and after a disaster hits. To be best prepared for any disaster situation, it is essential to have a plan, Teri explained. “A plan is critical,” Teri said. “Out of all the information I am going to push out to you today, having a plan is key, because once you start your plan, you’re going to remember some of the things I brought to you today.” Part of an emergency plan involves knowing how to get to family members and where to go during an emergency. After creating a family emergency plan, the next thing to do is to stock up on emergency supplies for a go bag. Emergency supplies include bandages and other first-aid materials, a sleeping bag, health and hygiene supplies, tools, flashlight, batteries andat least a seven- to 10-day supply of food, water and medication, if needed. In order to be aware before, during and after an event, Teri suggests downloading the NY-ALERT app. “It gives you the best weather service you possibly can get,” Teri said. “It will also tell you what issues are around your area and areas above.” Another thing to remember before a potential disaster strikes is to digitize all important paper documents, including social security cards, birth certificates, legal papers, photographs and anything else that may be important. This makes the transportation of these items much easier, and they are less likely to be lost during a disaster. For more information about disaster preparedness, how to schedule a training event or to take the online training course and more, visit prepare. ny.gov. THE COURIER/Photo by Anthony Giudice The Governor’s Citizen Preparedness Corps visited Glendale to inform people on how to be better prepared in case of a disaster. The Queens Courier certified as woman-owned business Schneps Publications Inc., which does business as The Queens Courier, has been certified as a woman-owned business enterprise by the Empire State Development’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development. The certification took effect on Feb. 8 and lasts for one year. It enables Schneps Publications to enter into contract with various state agencies that are obligated to conduct a portion of their business with official women- and minority-owned businesses across the state. “I’m delighted to be certified as a woman-owned business, to be able to provide services to companies who foster doing business with women,” said Victoria Schneps, publisher of Schneps Publications, who founded The Queens Courier in 1985. It is now Queens’ biggest weekly newspaper. Under Article 15-A of the state’s Executive Law, a woman-owned business is described as an enterprise in which at least 51 percent is owned, operated and controlled by citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women.
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