Chautauqua County has an emergency mitigation plan. This plan works to identify risks and vulnerabilities that come with natural disasters and other hazards. Chautauqua County received a Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete an update to the County’s 2016 MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The purpose of hazard mitigation planning is to reduce damage to the environment and prevent the loss of life and the number and severity of injuries that may result from natural hazard events.

Chautauqua has its share of weather emergencies. Are you as prepared as you should be? Summer, fall, winter, and spring weather can bring many challenges for everyone.

The power may go out; temperatures can be difficult to keep cool or keep warm enough, and fires, flooding, severe storms with wind, hail, or ice, and even tornados and drought. People with special needs in sight, hearing, and mobility will have additional items to be prepared to manage in emergencies. People of all ages may want to take the time to prepare for these types of emergencies.

The Chautauqua County Department of Emergency Services is having a public forum on Oct. 17, 2022. It will be a virtual meeting scheduled for 6-9 PM you can participate by submitting questions or suggestions via email to astone@bartonandloguidice.com and/or participating in the virtual event using Zoom! https://bartonandloguidice.zoom.us/j/81185357865

The meeting will also be live-streamed on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LvYKV9P14V8

Your input is wanted and helpful in designing a plan that meets the needs of the community. Certainly, the hurricane and flooding we have seen in Florida- probably will not be our reality in Western New York, but it is a reminder that wherever you liveemergency preparedness is important. A little bit of planning can go a long way when disasters hit.

Start by looking at your needs and the needs of your family. Have a communication plan. Create a list of emergency contacts, addresses, and phone numbers already done.

Also, have a list of your doctors, pharmacy, and listing of all medications you take. Make sure you put down any allergies you may have to medications or foods. Many people have smart cell phones that allow you to program “I.C.E. (in case of emergency) contact names and numbers. There are also many apps, check the Apple I-Tune store for some ideas. If you need and use equipment at home like oxygen, hearing aids, electric chairs, scooters, stair lifts-anything that requires electricity- be prepared and have these items fully charged. This includes your smartphone! Keep a list of these items that require electricity or battery backup- in case you need to ask for assistance from utility companies, or local fire departments. You don’t want to forget anything on your list when things may get busy. If you have a medical alert bracelet-wear it!

Make an emergency kit with essentials you will need if you have to shelter in place or evacuate. This should include a copy of the communication plan from above including contact names and numbers, doctor, pharmacy, and medication lists along with any allergies.

You should have a change of clothes, a flashlight, extra batteries, a set of keys to your home, first aid supplies, water, and stable food items like granola bars or peanut butter. Also important is a small supply of your medications. You may want to include important information like insurance information and other documents. Consider a hand crank radio, cell phone charge, can opener, and pet food if you have a pet! This is a lot, but your emergency pack should have a bit of everything you need in an emergency. It is also wise to update and check this kit regularly.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA has several good publications for heat, floods, thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, fire emergencies, and power outages.

You can find these at www.ready.gov/be-informed There are many more ideas to improve your emergency kit. The bottom line is thinking it out, making a plan, putting together supplies, and updating it regularly. NY Connects is the place to call to get connected to the help you need. It is the aging and disability resource center. NY Connects assists people of all ages. NY Connects offers information and assistance about local services that you may be eligible for to help you in the community. It is confidential and free and focused on the consumer’s needs and resources available to them. There are NY Connects programs located with the Office for Aging Services (OFAS) and the Southwestern Independent Living Center (SILC). You can reach NY Connects by phone: at 716-753-4582 or 800-342-9871 email: ccnyc@chqgov.com Southwestern Independent Living NY Connects at 716-661-3010 or 716-490-7561. There is an online resource tool called the NY Connects Resource directory as well at www.nyconnects.ny.gov.

NY Connects is brought to you by the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services andthe Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services.