BILL NUMBER:  S3923

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring local
disaster preparedness plans to include a public education component as
part of disaster prevention


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA :

This bill would require that disaster preparedness plans include a
public education component.

 EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER :

Amends the Executive Law by adding a new subparagraph 3-a to
subdivision 7 of §23.

 JUSTIFICATION :

In order to effectively implement an evacuation plan, a vigorous and
ongoing public education campaign is fundamental. The City of New York
has conducted a study to scientifically measure the awareness level
among city residents. The New York City Hurricane Evacuation Study,
Behavioral Analysis Findings, showed just how uninformed the residents
              

of New York are when it comes to a weather-related evacuation. Most
residents are unaware how to behave during a hurricane or an
evacuation. At least 75% of the residents surveyed by the City's own
Hurricane Evacuation Study said they were not aware of the evacuation
zones. More than 85% of all New Yorkers had never seen "Ready New
York", the Office of Emergency Management's official public handbook
for surviving disasters.

It is clear that the majority of City residents know little or nothing
about the evacuation process, , and that a systematic public education
campaign is extremely needed. The public education component required
would also consider non-English speaking populations, who need to be
adequately educated about the plan as well.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2005-06: A.9163: Assembly Governmental Operations Cmte.
2007: Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
Committee/Assembly Government Operations Committee
2008: Passed Senate/Assembly Government Operations Committee

 FISCAL IMPLICATION FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become
a law.