Senate Bill S5271

                                BILL NUMBER:S5271

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the executive law, in relation to requiring local disaster
preparedness plans to include a public education component as part of
disaster prevention

PURPOSE:
This bill would require that disaster preparedness plans include a
public education component.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section One - Amends the Executive Law by adding a new subparagraph
3-a to subdivision 7 of §23 to include a public education component
that shall be widely disseminated as approved by the division of
homeland security and emergency services pursuant to regulations
promulgated by such division.

Section Two - This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
shall have become a law.

JUSTIFICATION:
In order to effectively implement an evacuation plan, a vigorous and
ongoing public education campaign is fundamental. The City of New
York has conducted a study to scientifically measure the awareness
              

level among city residents. The New York City Hurricane Evacuation
Study, Behavioral Analysis Findings, showed just how uninformed the
residents of New York are when it comes to a weather-related
evacuation. Most residents are unaware how to behave during a
hurricane or an evacuation. At least 75% of the residents surveyed by
the City's own Hurricane Evacuation Study said they were not aware of
the evacuation zones. More than 85% of all New Yorkers had never seen
"Ready New York", the Office of Emergency Management's official
public handbook for surviving disasters.

It is clear that the majority of City residents know little or nothing
about the evacuation process, and that a systematic public education
campaign is extremely needed. The public education component required
would also consider non-English speaking populations, who need to be
adequately educated about the plan as well.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2005-06: A.9163: Assembly Governmental Operations Cmte.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have
become a law.