Plan Exit Strategies For Tough Situations

When love is in the air, it can cloud reason and judgment. Before Valentine's Day overwhelms your senses, OEM encourages New Yorkers to plan ways to get out of any difficult situation. Familiarize yourself with the emergency exits for the places you spend the most time. If the night goes bad, you may need to make a quick escape. Learn more about planning for disasters Read the Tip of the Week online

Who's Got Your Back?

This year's Super Bowl features two talented quarterbacks, but even Drew Brees and Peyton Manning can't make plays without help from their teams. Quarterbacks aren't the only people who need strong support networks. OEM encourages New Yorkers to talk to friends and relatives, especially those with special needs, about emergencies. Find out what role you can play in protecting your own team. Learn more about building a support network Read the Tip of the Week online

Review Office Emergency Plan

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week for 02/01/2010:

Develop and practice for emergencies at work with employees by reviewing your office emergency plan. www.ready.gov/business/plan/emerplanning.html. (see more tips)

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This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

Plan to Protect Your Records

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week for 01/25/2010:

Create an emergency plan for your organization’s financial and critical records. Click here to develop an emergency financial aid kit: http://www.operationhope.org/smdev/lf1.php?id=187. (see more tips)

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This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

Fan OEM on Facebook

OEM TIP OF THE WEEK: FAN OEM ON FACEBOOK Calling all fans: OEM invites you to join the conversations on its Facebook page. Keep up with the latest OEM news (like the recent deployment of NYC's Urban Search and Rescue team to Haiti), OEM in the news (CERT making headlines in the SI Advance), and general tips (it's not too late to get the H1N1 vaccine), and make preparedness part of your daily routine. Visit OEM's Facebook page Read the Tip of the Week online

Prepare before, during and after an earthquake

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week for 01/18/2010:

Prepare your employees before, during and after an earthquake with FEMA Earthquake tips. For more information, visit www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm. (see more tips)

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This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

Cash is Best for Haiti Relief

OEM urges New Yorkers who wish to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti to make cash donations. The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City will be directing cash contributions to organizations working in Haiti. Why make cash donations? Relief agencies will often spend cash in the disaster area, helping the local economy get back on its feet. Cash donations help avoid the costly and time-consuming process of collecting, packing, transporting, storing, and distributing donated goods. Cash donations allow relief agencies to make purchases that meet victims' precise needs. Cash donations to recognized relief organizations are tax deductible. Read the Tip of the Week online

Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert

Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert

The FBI today reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group's existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site.
• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or anyone who may have been a victim of this or a similar incident should notify the IC3 via www.ic3.gov. For further information, please visit the FBI's Web site: http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel10/earthquake011310.htm

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This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

Support Your Local CERT

FEMA Private Sector Preparedness Tip of the Week for 01/11/2010:

Participate in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to support community and business preparedness efforts. For more information, visit: https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/. (see more tips)

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This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)

Give Blood, Save Lives

January is National Blood Donor Month and OEM encourages New Yorkers to make a difference by donating blood. Hospitals and blood banks need regular replenishment of blood, especially during the winter months when they are in short supply. If you are at least 17 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds, you can save up to three lives by donating just one pint of blood. Learn more about donating blood Find a blood donation center near you Read the Tip of the Week online

Resolve to Prepare in 2010

As you develop your New Year's resolutions for 2010, consider getting prepared for emergencies. Here are some simple ways you can get Ready, New York: Fill out an emergency reference card with your family Pack a Go Bag Make an emergency supply kit Sign up for Notify NYC Become a fan of OEM on Facebook Read the Tip of the Week online

Consider a Weather Radio

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week for 1/4/2010:

Place a weather radio or television in an accessible place for employees to readily monitor severe weather conditions. View active weather alerts at www.NOAA.gov.

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This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

FEMA · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Washington, DC 20472 · 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)