Buy All Your Supplies At One Time

It's time for school again and as parents and kids shop for supplies, OEM reminds New Yorkers to pick up some emergency supplies, like extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Also, old backpacks make great Go Bags. Visit OEM's website to find out how to pack them for an emergency. Learn more about what goes in a Go Bag Download a copy of Ready New York for Kids Read OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

A CERT Yourself

New York City Community Emergency Response Teams are community groups that undergo 11 weeks of training in basic emergency response, light search and rescue, first aid, and emergency preparedness. A new training cycle starts at the beginning of September. Call the CERT hotline at 718-422-8585 or e-mail CERT program managers to get involved. There are teams forming and training available for the following communities: The Bronx - Mott Haven, Port Morris, Melrose, Hunts Point, Longwood, Morrisania, Crotona Park, Claremont Village, Concourse Village, Woodstock, Edenwald, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Woodlawn, Fishbay, Eastchester, Olinville, Baychester, Norwood, University Heights, Jerome Park, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights Brooklyn - East New York, Cypress Hills, Highland Park, New Lots, City Line, Starrett City, and other neighborhoods Manhattan Queens Learn more about CERT online Download a copy of the CERT brochure (in PDF) Read OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

No Lights? No Problem

In light of the five-year anniversary of the 2003 blackout, OEM encourages New Yorkers to be prepared for power outages. There are basic steps everyone can take to prepare for loss of power. Know your power provider and have the phone number handy in case you need to report an outage. Always keep a flashlight, water, and nonperishable foods in your home. Practice energy conservation by using the air conditioner only when you are home or by running your dishwasher late at night or early in the morning. Learn more about power outages Read about food safety during outages See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Say "NNO" to Crime

Get to know your local police precinct this Tuesday, August 5, at National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime. Sponsored by the NYC Police Department (NYPD) and the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is a crime prevention campaign designed to raise crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen community relations. The NYPD will host events all night throughout the five boroughs. Call 311 or view the National Night Out schedule online to find out more about your local precinct and what's happening in your neighborhood. Learn more about National Night Out Read NYPD's crime prevention tips Read OEM's Tip of the Week on the website