The best time to get involved in your community is now, before a disaster hits. OEM is always looking for new CERT volunteers who want to help their families, friends, and neighbors before, during, and after emergencies. After completing a 10-week training program, NYC CERTs support their local communities by assisting with emergency response and educating their neighbors on emergency preparedness. Affiliate with CERT or a recognized disaster volunteer organization so you can receive proper training before an emergency.
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online
 In an emergency, receiving reliable, real-time information is critical. OEM urges New Yorkers to get informed.
- Before an emergency happens, change the batteries in your radios and decide how you will get timely emergency updates so you can react in the right way.
- Register for Notify NYC, the City's source for emergency information and receive notifications and alerts by e-mail, text message, or phone.
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online
 This week during National Preparedness Month, OEM encourages New Yorkers to gather emergency supplies for their Go Bags and emergency supply kits. Both should have items like water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, and a first-aid kit, but Go Bags must be easy to carry and emergency supply kits can be larger and kept in a safe place in the home.
 It's much easier to stay calm during an emergency if you have a plan. OEM encourages families to make a plan that includes a meeting place, out-of-state contact, and a completed emergency reference card. This week, also try out OEM’s new NYC Readiness Challenge, an interactive tool that highlights what could happen in the event of an emergency.
 When Hurricane Irene arrived in New York City this past weekend, OEM kept fans updated on Facebook. The conversation that started with about 4,000 fans grew to include 13,000 in five days. That's quite a growth spurt, but not as impressive as the quality of the comments and advice shared between our fans. Thanks for tuning in and supporting each other. OEM is committed to posting information on our Facebook page when New Yorkers need it.
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You never know what might happen on Halloween, but that doesn't mean you can't be prepared. In fact, preparing for something like a zombie attack requires the same planning as emergencies like natural disasters — from putting together a disaster kit to creating an emergency plan. A zombie emergency kit should includes things like water, food and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp. Or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored.
As winter approaches in New York, temperatures drop and jackets, scarves, and hats reappear on city streets. In readying your wardrobe for the onset of cold weather, don't forget to update your emergency supplies. This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week in New York State. Prepare for winter's arrival by adding a blanket, some warm socks, and gloves to your Go Bag.
Every year more than 1,000 New Yorkers die from flu-related complications. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. Flu season is around the corner and OEM encourages you to get a flu shot from your doctor, local pharmacy, or Health Department clinic. Many employers also offer free or low-cost flu shots. Use the Health Department's 
More than half of all home fire deaths occur between 10 PM and 6 AM, when most people are sleeping. This week is Fire Prevention Week, and OEM reminds New Yorkers to check their smoke detectors and make a fire escape plan. Map your escape, including two ways out of each room, and practice with a family fire drill.
October is Energy Awareness Month and OEM reminds New Yorkers that energy efficiency starts with simple choices. Traditional light bulbs burn out after a few years, but Energy Star-qualified bulbs last up to six times longer and use 75 percent less energy. Reducing the city's energy demand becomes especially important during an emergency when the supply may be strained or disrupted.
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