Senate Bill S5869A

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S5869A

SPONSOR: BROOKS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to simulation of disaster
events

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to provide for the simulation of a disaster
by key emergency personnel in a tabletop format so said personnel can
plan and prepare for an emergency or disaster situation.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends subparagraphs 15 and 16 of paragraph b of
subdivision 3 of section 22 of the executive law to add a new subpara-
graph 17 to provide for a tabletop simulation of disaster events by key
personnel to prepare for a real emergency.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Putting an emergency preparedness plan down on paper is vital to compre-
hensive preparation, however, simulating how the event could play out in
real time provides leaders with a realistic look at what their response
needs to be in order to have an adequate solution to the problem at
hand. This bill would ensure that New York State officials are well
prepared for potential emergencies and disasters by mandating a practice
of what said disaster could look like. A simulation such as this one
will help officials determine where the weak spots in the plan are and
gives them time, in a non-emergency situation, to correct these errors
and improve their plan. This bill could save lives, money, and time
because it would force New York State to be well prepared for any disas-
ter that strikes.

The reasoning behind the May 1 deadline of the simulation is because the
simulation should be done prior to the start of hurricane season (which
begins June 1) for areas that are at risk of hurricane damage.  This
deadline gives officials time to practice their simulation and make the
necessary changes before hurricane season begins. Therefore, in the case
that a disaster does arise during hurricane season, the plan is fresh in
the minds of key personnel who will be implementing the plan. For areas
not at risk of hurricane damage, this provision does not apply and the
simulation can be done anytime during the year.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.