BILL NUMBER: S5862

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

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

 
PURPOSE:

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

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section One amends the executive law by adding a new subparagraph 3-a to
subdivision 7 of § 23 to include a public education component that shall
be widely disseminated as approved by the division of homeland security
and emergency services pursuant to regulations promulgated by such divi-
sion.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In order to effectively implement an evacuation plan, a vigorous and
ongoing public education campaign is fundamental. The City of New York
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's 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 there is dire need for a system-
atic public education campaign. The public education component required
by this bill would also consider non-English speaking populations who
need to be adequately educated about the plan as well.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

S 1395 COMRIE Same as A 3214 Ortiz

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become law.