Watch Video Of Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness Town Hall Hosted By NYC Council Member Ben Kallos And Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito - Go Bags, Hurricanes, Emergency Evacuation, United Nations Week RI Bridge Traffic Disruptions & More

Last Thursday September 29, Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos, together with the NYC Office of Emergency Management, hosted an Emergency Preparedness Town Hall at the Good Shepherd Community Center Chapel.

According to the Twitterverse:

Excited to kick off the #EmergencyPreparedness event on RooseveltIsland expecting over 200 people with @RIOCny @Rooseveltisland @nycoem pic.twitter.com/nC2JiADnl8

— Ben Kallos (@BenKallos) September 29, 2016

.@nycoem is helping Roosevelt Island residents get prepared! #NPM2016 pic.twitter.com/nVe6ynPFhk

— NYCEM (@nycoem) September 29, 2016

Council Member Kallos issued this statement following the Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness Town Hall:

... nearly 200 Roosevelt Islanders learned how to prepare for the next storm and received free go bags, so they will be ready when the time comes. The event was hosted by Council Member Ben Kallos, Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito, Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Acting President Susan Rosenthal and Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Jack McManus. On the eve of National PrepareAthon! Day, residents came to learn emergency preparedness skills so they will be ready as climate change leads to more unpredictable weather conditions in and around New York City.

Since 2014 Council Member Kallos has funded the Roosevelt Island CERT with $8,000 for new, up-to-date, modern two way radios designed to be operational in the event the island suffers an emergency and the CERT is activated.

“Every New Yorker should be trained to handle emergencies and own a Go Bag,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “Always be prepared, especially if you live in an area that is prone to flooding. You never know when a natural disaster may force you to evacuate.”

“NYC Emergency Management works tirelessly to ensure that New Yorkers are educated about emergency preparedness,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “We’re happy to partner with Council Member Kallos to provide an important opportunity for Roosevelt Island residents to receive information on NYCEM’s programs and community-based initiatives, as well as how best to prepare themselves to respond to emergencies.”

“We are grateful to Council Member Kallos for making the security of Roosevelt Island residents a priority. RIOC is always looking for ways to increase security efforts, such as with the recent improvements to the emergency response time of the 911 Call Center. That crucial update, taking into account the unique nature of our Island, was the direct result of all stakeholders working together. Now, with respect to emergency preparedness, RIOC looks forward to working with OEM to ensure the health and safety of our Roosevelt Island Community.” Said Susan Rosenthal Acting President of Roosevelt Island Operating Cooperation.

September is National Preparedness Month culminating with “National PrepareAthon! Day” on September 30, the inspiration for the evening’s training ahead of Atlantic hurricane season. The event included the distribution of free Go Bags — a collection of items you can use in the event of an evacuation. Each household member should have a Go Bag, which should be sturdy, lightweight, and portable, such as a backpack.

The Go Bags that were distributed contained:

First aid kit;
Flash light with batteries;
Radio with batteries;
Whistle;
Poncho and emergency blanket;
Dust mask;
Pen, paper and magnifying lens;
Sanitary products including wipes, tissue, soap, comb, as well as tooth brush and paste; and,

Must be supplemented by residents who should add:

Copies of important documents in a waterproof container;
Extra sets of car and house keys;
Copies of credit and ATM card and cash;
Bottled water and nonperishable food;
List of medications and dosages household members take, or copes of all prescription slips with doctors’ name and numbers;
Child care, pet care and other special items;
Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map.

Here's video of the Town Hall provided by Council Member Kallos. In addition to information regarding emergency preparation and Go Bags, issues discussed included Roosevelt Island emergency evacuation plans (29 minute 30 Second Mark) and the annual Roosevelt Island Bridge traffic disruptions (3 minute 25 second mark of second video) during United Nations week. Watch both videos. They contain very informative  and important information that can help keep you and your family safe when an emergency occurs..

Roosevelt Island NYC Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Conduct Traffic Training Program Here Last Saturday - August 6 NY State Roosevelt Island Disaster Preparedness Class But Still No RI Evacuation Plan Made Public

The Roosevelt Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), together with other NYC CERT Teams, participated in a pedestrian and automobile traffic training program last Saturday on Roosevelt Island.

Image From Ellen Polivy

The Program began with classroom training by the NYPD. Roosevelt Island CERT Team member Lynn Strong-Shinozaki shares this picture of the training team

Image From Lynn Strong-Shinozaki

and reports:

We all learned a lot. This is the training team they were great!

Following the classroom instruction, the CERT Teams members went out

Image From Ellen Polivy

to practice their newly acquired traffic management skills

Image From Ellen Polivy

 on the Roosevelt Island street.

Image From Ellen Polivy

Roosevelt Island CERT Team member Ellen Polivy reports on the traffic training session.

NYC Community emergency response teams have important roles in augmenting primary emergency responders such as FDNY, NYPD and, here on Roosevelt Island, PSD.

Traffic management is an important role. This class, arranged by OEM, facilitated by RIOC (Jack McManus, Erica Spencer-El, Ann Rankin and others) and presented by NYPD, focused on the skills necessary to sucessfully manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

After class preparation participants from Roosevelt Island CERT and other CERT teams throughout the City practiced under the direct supervision of NYPD. Practical exercises like this are necessary so that a level of competence is available in emergency situations.

The twelve Roosevelt Island CERT attendees in no particular order were Lydia Tang, Russel Fields, Frank Farance, Gwen Ryals, Linda Heimer, Georgeanna, Galeateau, Ellen Polivy, Sherie Helstien,Matthew Katz, Lynne Shinozaki, Sharon Bermon, Howard Polivy.

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse noticed the traffic exercise.

Serious lack of crossing guards on Roosevelt Island pic.twitter.com/vbvdSWODZn
— Gordie Mazur (@GordieM) July 19, 2014

More information on CERT and how to join available from the NYC Office Of Emergency Management (OEM). According to OEM:

OEM's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members undergo an intensive 10-week training program that raises awareness about emergencies and disasters and provides basic response skills needed for fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and traffic control. After graduating from the 10-week program, CERT members support their communities by assisting with emergency education and response. Emergency services personnel are the best equipped to respond to disasters. NYC CERT volunteers are trained to support the efforts of New York City's first responders.

During non-emergency situations, NYC CERTs educate their communities about emergency preparedness by working with the Ready New York program and building community disaster networks.

Additional info on the Roosevelt Island CERT Team and contact is here.

Also, according to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)

On Wednesday, August 6 at 6:00 PM, the NYS Citizens Preparedness Corps will host a free disaster preparedness class for Roosevelt Island residents at the Manhattan Park Theater Club (8 River Road). In addition to the training, each family participating will receive a free Citizen Preparedness Corps Response Starter Kit, which includes a first aid kit, emergency food and water, AM/FM radio, flashlight, and more items that are useful in case of a man-made or natural disaster

The training is free, but you must register in advance in order to participate. Visit http://www.prepare.ny.gov/training-events to sign up.

Presented by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York in Partnership with the Citizens Preparedness Corps and the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Emergency preparedness is very necessary. However, as reported about August 2013 OEM Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness Meeting:

...PSD Director Jack McManus said that the current Roosevelt Island evacuation plan is terribly outdated and that it is currently being updated. When the Roosevelt Island evacuation plan is completed, it will be made available to the public promised Mr. McManus....

So far, an updated Roosevelt Island evacuation plan has not been made public.

UPDATE 9/30 - In December 2013, the Roosevelt Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conducted emergency disaster training drills under the auspices of NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Here are some scenes.

Mandatory Evacuation Of Roosevelt Island Community If Another Hurricane Sandy Comes Again Says NYC Office Of Emergency Management During Community Forum Last Night

Image of Hurricane Sandy Wave Pounding Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park From Adib Mansour

As reported earlier this week:

Thanks to the efforts of City Council member, Jessica Lappin, On Tuesday August 27, Office of Emergency Management will be holding a meeting on Roosevelt Island to tell us about our new evacuation zone. It appears that Roosevelt Island is now split between two evacuation zones. The new zones have more refinement in determining which zones to evacuate during any given emergency. On August 27, we will learn more about this. Meeting will take place from 6:30 to 7:45 at the Manhattan Park Theater Club....

As reported last June:

... The new NYC Hurricane Evacuation maps place Roosevelt Island in separate zones.

NEW: We updated our evacuation maps based on post-Sandy data. Know your zone: http://t.co/vCoW3HkwTA
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) June 18, 2013

All of Roosevelt Island had previously been in the same evacuation zone but the updated NYC hurricane evacuation plan has Roosevelt Island in two separate zones. Coler Hospital and the Octagon Building are in Zone 2 and the rest of Roosevelt Island is in Zone 3.

Click here for the NYC Hurricane Evacuation Map.

Image of Hurricane Sandy Flooding Roosevelt Island West Promenade From Brian Dorfmann

Here's what happened during the  NYC Office Of Emergency Management (OEM) Roosevelt Island Hurricane Evacuation presentation. It began with introductory remarks from Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Ellen Polivy. Ms. Polivy told the assembled group that RIRA's role:

... is to bring issues to light and get them fixed...

Ms. Polivy then introduced new interim Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus  who spoke about his previous NYPD experience in emergency planning and management



followed by OEM's Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs Christina Farrell and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Rachel Sulaymanov speaking about the new hurricane evacuation zones. Ms Farrell noted that:

...if Sandy comes again ... there would have been a mandatory evacuation of the entire Roosevelt Island community...

OEM's Ms Farrell and Ms.Sulaymanov then took questions from the community.



During the Q and A session, PSD Director Jack McManus said that the current Roosevelt Island evacuation plan is terribly outdated and that it is currently being updated. When the Roosevelt Island evacuation plan is completed, it will be made available to the public promised Mr. McManus.



The current Roosevelt Island evacuation plan had been kept secret.

More information on NYC Hurricane Preparedness and Evacuation available at the OEM web site.

Is There A Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness Response Plan? Answer Is Yes But It Is A Secret, Don't Worry Because There Is A Natural Disaster Plan That May Be Made Public We're Told

Image of Hurricane Sandy Roosevelt Island Flooding From Brian Dorfmann

Roosevelt Island emergency preparedness was the subject of a question asked by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Member Ethel Fromm during the November 3, RIRA sponsored Meet The RIOC/RIRA Candidate Forum. The answer we learned from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Director Margie Smith is that there is an emergency preparedness plan.

Ms. Smith reported that Roosevelt Island has the resources to evacuate with the Red and NYC Bus to designated areas. If that is not sufficient, Ms. Smith added that there are water transportation evacuation plans using barges, ferries and even the Circle Line.

Former RIRA President Matt Katz noted that he had seen the plan but was bound by a non-disclosure agreement not to reveal the contents of the plan. Ms. Smith explained the reason for the secrecy being that the US Homeland Security Department does not want the Roosevelt Island emergency plan made public due to security concerns but Ms. Smith added that she thinks that the plan dealing with natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy, can be released.

Image of Hurricane Sandy Wave Pounding Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park From Adib Mansour

Image of Hurricane Sandy Flooding Roosevelt Island West Promenade From Brian Dorfmann

New RIRA President Ellen Polivy said that suggestions have been made to Cornell NYC Tech (and Cornell is considering) that the design of their new campus include plans to "Shelter In Place" for the Roosevelt Island community in the event it becomes necessary in a future emergency.

Here's the Candidate's Forum discussion of Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness.



More on Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness from previous post.

No Practical Plan In Place To Safely Evacuate Roosevelt Island Residents In Event Of Emergency Says Assembly Member Micah Kellner - Asks Mayor Bloomberg For Meeting To Create Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan For Roosevelt Island

You Tube Video of Hurricane Irene East River Flooding on Roosevelt Island

Published report earlier this week on Hurricane Irene East River flooding portions of Roosevelt Island particularly at Lighthouse Park

Image of Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park Flood From Hurricane Irene by Michael Girard

and the subway pier.

Images of East River Overflowing Roosevelt Island Subway Pier @ 9:30 AM From Eric Schwartzman

These pictures were taken at approximately 9:30 AM Sunday morning and though it is true that by noon the water was gone, the impact from Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Irene could have been much worse for Roosevelt Island if it had been a more severe storm. (More pictures of Roosevelt Island Flooding here)

Hoping to improve plans for Roosevelt Island emergency disaster preparedness, Roosevelt Island Assembly Member Micah Kellner sent the following letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg:

I would like to commend you and your staff on a great job preparing New Yorkers for Hurricane Irene. The decisions you made saved lives and showed the world the effectiveness of the City’s disaster response plan. Hurricane Irene has also provided a unique opportunity to see gaps in emergency planning, allowing us to correct them before future disasters occur. Specifically, I am concerned about protecting and evacuating the residents of Roosevelt Island, which is located in my district.

Roosevelt Island requires special consideration when it comes to emergency planning; the Island is home to two acute-care hospitals, Coler and Goldwater, and nearly 14,000 residents, many of whom are elderly or disabled. Further, as the Island looks to expand with the possible location of an applied sciences center, with the accompanying residents and staff, it is more important than ever to focus on emergency procedures. Had the City faced a more severe storm that required the evacuation of Zone “B”, there is currently no practical plan in place to safely evacuate Island residents.

Roosevelt Island only has a single ground access point – the Roosevelt Island Bridge – which connects the Island with western Queens. On Saturday, August 27, 2011 as the City was bracing for Irene’s impending arrival, you warned that the City’s bridges, including the Roosevelt Island Bridge, would be forced to close should sustained wind speeds reach 60 miles per hour. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway and bus service was suspended as of 12:00 PM. Also, the Roosevelt Island Tram was forced to close at 6:00 PM due to wind speeds that exceeded 45 miles per hour. Should the Bridge have been forced to close, Roosevelt Island would have been isolated from the rest of the City. While many of the evacuations throughout the City were smoothly executed, I fear that if the storm had been stronger we would be facing an extremely different and deadly outcome on Roosevelt Island.

Despite being a Class “B” Flood Zone, Roosevelt Island was not immune to flooding. During this storm, there was severe flooding in Lighthouse Park, which is located at the northern tip of the Island and adjacent to the Coler Hospital campus. The eastern seawall which runs along to the Goldwater Hospital campus, the future site of the applied sciences center at the southern end of the Island, also flooded. In light of Irene being downgraded to a tropical storm before reaching New York and still causing flooding in close proximity to these to these two acute care hospitals on separate ends of the Island, it is safe to say the situation would have been much more dire should a Class 1 or Class 2 hurricane have touched ground.

I believe we can use Hurricane Irene as a teachable moment to better identify innovative ways to improve disaster preparedness. I respectfully request that the Office of Emergency Management meet with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and local elected officials to discuss creating a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan for Roosevelt Island.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (212) 860-4906.

Mr. Kellner's full letter is here.

I asked several Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Directors and staff as well as Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Matt Katz for comment on Roosevelt Island emergency preparedness and Mr. Kellner's letter to Mayor Bloomberg.

Mr. Katz replied:

Some years ago, Howard Polivy, Frank Farance and I were allowed to read RIOC’s contingency planning book, but only after we signed a non-disclosure letter. We’ve been told that evacuation orders will come only from OEM and Newcomer High School is our evacuation center. Our CERT team had volunteers in place to prepare the center for use. Given that, as a Zone B community, we would not be evacuated ahead of time, how would we get a threatened population off-Island in the teeth of a storm? Once upon a time, RIOC’s Michael Moreo, a volunteer fireman in his Long Island community and the force behind the creation of our CERT team, convened quarterly contingency planning meetings that included building managers, Public Safety, OEM, SEMO and me. We asked for an evacuation plan to be made public but were turned down. I’ve asked RIOC to consider at least one meeting after the dust settles to do a post mortem on lessons learned. We shall see.

Last night, RIOC Community Relations Specialist Erica Wilder reported that RIOC will be holding a Post Hurricane Irene Briefing to explain

... RIOC's pre-event planning, operations during the storm and how we managed the recovery operation...

I will report back on that briefing.

Mr. Kellner' letter expresed concerns regarding the use of the Roosevelt Island Bridge during a hurricane. I asked RIOC prior to the storm beginning:

 Mayor Bloomberg has stated that Bridges will be closed if winds reach a speed of 60 mph.

I'm getting questions about whether the Roosevelt Island Bridge will remain open.

Does RIOC expect to close the RI Bridge.

Ms. Wilder replied:

The Roosevelt Island Bridge is under the jurisdiction of New York City's Department of Transportation. In addition to the information outlets that we have provided through our advisories, we ask that everyone receive timely alerts on all New York City bridge closures and other significant events related to the storm via local news/ radio stations, 311 or through NYC's 24hr emergency notification system- NOTIFY NYC (www.nyc.gov/notifynyc) which delivers emergency public information through text, email, or recorded telephone calls.

Mr. Kellner's letter to the Mayor was incorrect in one respect. The Tram did shut down at 6 PM but not because wind speeds were in excess of 45 MPH at that time. Although, RIOC had previously announced they would keep the Tram running until wind speeds reached 45 MPH they shut the Tram down at 6 PM, hours before the Storm arrived. Not sure why they changed their previously announced plan for the Tram.

There was an emergency disaster preparedness meeting that took place on Roosevelt Island in 2006. Here's a video of that meeting and more pictures of East River Flooding of Roosevelt Island from what became Tropical Storm Irene.

Image of East River surge during Hurricane Irene at Roosevelt Island From Duc Le

Image of Hurricane Irene East River Overflowing Roosevelt Island From Duc Le

Image of East River Flooding On Roosevelt Island From W Cruz

Hurricane Irene East River Flooding of Subway Pier From Irina Hage

Hurricane Irene East River Flooding of Subway Pier From Irina Hage

Hurricane Irene East River Flooding of Subway Pier From Irina Hage

Image of East River Flooding On Roosevelt Island From W Cruz

Image of East River Flooding On Roosevelt Island From W Cruz

Image of East River Flooding On Roosevelt Island From W Cruz

Image of Hurricane Irene Flooding Basketball Court From Duc Le