As a kid growing up, I was a Brownie and then a Girl Scout but did not gain many survival skills. I had some great times as a Girl Scout and to this day can make some killer S’mores and Pigs in a Blanket. As an adult living here in the country, I realized the importance of knowing what to do in emergencies like severe weather events or other types of disasters. Last week, fifty residents packed Town Hall for a Citizen Preparedness Course, sponsored by the Town of Highland, New York State National Guard, and Homeland Security, to learn how to better prepare ourselves for future emergencies. The class was formulated in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy devastated so many New York’s communities leading to over forty-three fatalities. Taught by Captain Kyle Kilner From Fort Montgomery, the course is called “Prepare, Respond, Recover What to do When Disaster Strikes.” The course is designed to provide information and tools learned from actual first responders to train town residents to be able to take care of themselves while sheltering in place or evacuating in an emergency. Captain Kilner explained the need to have a well-stocked ten days’ worth of supplies for a Home Kit for sheltering and what needs to be in a “Go Bag” for evacuation which usually lasts for three days and what supplies should always be in your car ( think half a tank of gas at all times, energy bars, an emergency blanket, rain poncho, a small first aid kit, flashlight/head lamp and at least four bottles of water. Also covered during the course is how to safely secure your house, the use, and different types of fire extinguishers, and how and what house-related systems to shut down during an evacuation order.

The other topic covered what to do during an active shooter/assailant-RUN HIDE FIGHT. Even though Captain Kilner suggested a few things to do during an active shooter emergency, (shut your cell phone off, hide yourself as best you can, lock any doors) he suggested everyone watch the 480 Seconds video on You Tube for more detailed information. Other information given is how to sign up for emergency and weather alerts from New York State’s Office of Emergency Management- text the name of your county to 333111 or go to NY-ALERTS and 511NY for traffic and road condition alerts. 

The class provided a complete listing of essential information and resources for crisis preparedness, but honestly, I had no idea what family preparedness looked like before taking the class and what the sources are for getting reliable information during an actual emergency. Each class participant got a sturdy lightweight backpack to serve as a GO BAG filled with supplies including -a portable shower, work gloves, a portable light stick, an emergency blanket, a first aid kit, a small AM/FM alert radio and a resource handbook prepared by the NYS Office of Emergency Management. The schedule for the next possible emergency preparedness class in the Town is not yet been determined, but I will list it here when the class registration becomes available. For more information about how you can prepare for an emergency, go to www.prepare.ny.gov.