I see that some states have a small following on this site. Just curious if anyone else out there is from New York, and if so, what part?
Me - UWS. And you?
See “Long Island NY Preppers” and “Manhattan Preppers” on the forum index in the left hand column… scroll way down to the ‘states’.
What is UWS? Upper West Side?
I am in the Rochester area.
So the only folks on the site are NYC/Long Island? eek!
I’m going to visit NYC this weekend, can’t wait. I live in the midwest.
From the Northern Adirondacks
Adirondacks and sometimes UWS NYC. Mostly the mountains.
In between Albany & Saratoga!
Upstate NY - work near Albany, live in Saratoga county
Well, glad you are all here! Do you hear much about bird flu and possible pandemic in your area? Our local news and papers have not said much. Our county (Monroe) met last week finally START the process of writing the pandemic preparation policy. I guess the State requires that every county have a plan in place by Sept. 1. Other wise, they would probably do nothing. They certainly waited until the last minute!
I only know of one other person in my area who is prepping. I tried to bring it up at work months ago, and was scoffed at. My boss still tries to get little jabs in whenever she can, is someone jokes about bird flu.
People from my company have participated in a number of conferences sponsored by the NYS PSC and DOH (dept of health). Also, the Albany and Rensselaer Country DOH’s are being proactive in developing pandeminc plans and communicating to companies and citizens in their counties. My company has just placed an order for pandemic PPE (personal protective equipment) to be issued if it spreads.
Hope this is helpful info for you.
Wow, that’s great! Sounds like your area is getting it covered! I work for a well-know not-for-profit, healthcare related, affiliated with a major hospital, and nothing is being done. That’s scary! I asked my boss if the hospital had a plan, and she said not that she was aware of! :-(
I assume you have discovered the NYS pandemic plan. Link here:
http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/pandemic/docs/pandemic_influenza_plan.pdf
A LONG document however it is especially geared for healthcare facilities and the county DOH’s. Makes for some dry reading but you might want to put it in front of your boss and ask what are her plans to comply :-)
Good luck!
sorry for the long link, try this one :)
Another NY prepper here, LIC (Long Island City), Borough of Queens, NYC. Glad to find out about the thread on the index page. Looks like it hasn’t had any traffic for a while.
I read the city’s plan when it came out, I was unimpressed, but at least NYC has a plan. My wife and I have been prepping for about a year, our one area of neglect is solar, especially if it hits in winter flu season. We’d like to belive the energy/gas grid would not be severly impacted, but…
Do not feel too optimistic about upstate NY. I am a hosp lab supervisor. Our facility has enough tamiflu for two patients and has two vents. We recently had a pandemic exercise, and all that was accomplished seems to be that we identified who would be the event leaders. We have several negative pressure rooms, but there has been no training or retraining in how to use personal protective devices. I have a beard and require a special mask that we supposedly have. Have never seen it, nor have been fit tested. Same for other men in our facility. While we have fuel oil for our generators, I do not believe much has been done to arrange for food. I think this is the norm for most smaller health care facilities. We do service an area of at least 10–20 thousand people. I do not believe our general population has resources/knowledge/concern enough to prepare.
-Milt, that’s a scary report from upstate…seems like you will have to practice radical self-reliance for you and yours. And probably have to sacrifice the beard.
I grew up near Albany but now live near DC. My parents sent a link to this Albany Times Union article that came out July 23rd I think. Did any of you read it?
It’s hard to say any municipality, or county, is or ever truly can be “prepared” for a pandemic. But I haven’t seen any articles like this in our local newspapers — at least they are making MENTION of utilities and so on thinking and making plans. It’s at least a start.
Have any other NY’ers been to the Pandemic Help New York web site? There is a section devoted to each state. However traffic on the NY pages has been pretty low.
Power Grid Guy, I live in Saratoga County Also. BH area. Average Concerned Mom - I did get the Albany Times Union article - ironically from this site! I don’t get a paper. None of my friends are concerned. Maybe one. What can I say?
Commonground – at 11:07
Well CG we are nearly neighbors as I live in the Ballston Lake area. I did see the TU article and thought it was well written. Also, I had mentioned before having attended a conference sponsored by the NYS PSC and DOH for the utility companies in the state. Electric companies are fairly well along on their pandemic plans since they already have good plans in place for storms. The teleco’s seemed less prepared although at least they were in attendance and they seemed to be in the process of preping. I am involved with the crisis response team at work and we are several months into our planning efforts and are now implementing, i.e. communicating to employees, ordering PPE, conducting table top exercises, etc.
It is nice to have someone else in the area active on this wiki :-)
Commoonground — the fact that there was such an article in the business section — and a fairly realistic one, to boot — seemed good to me. Believe me I’ve read nothing similar in the DC area. What Power Grid Guy is writing also sound like good rather than bad news!
I can’t blame most people for not being concerned. As my husband says, if it weren’t for my interest, he would not have a clue — he says he’d first pay atteniont when articles hit the front page — PANDEMIC IMMINENT. Until then, he figures, someone else is paid to worry about it…..
My parents live in Saratoga County, too — between Albany and Saratoga Springs….. probably pretty close to you! (I went to Shenendehowa….)
News for Newyorkers
Hi Everyone, I live in NJ but when TSHTF I will be bugging out to the home of a friend (my “prepping partner”) who lives in the Ballston Lake area, too. We’ve been busy moving our preps from my house to his house. I lived in NYC on the UWS before I moved to NJ. BTW, when 9/11 happened, I bugged out to Ballston Lake—that’s when we first made the decision to start prepping for any kind of disaster.
Well, what do ya know!! We are ALL neighbors. Power Grid Guy - Thanks for that information - I feel a lot better. I went to the BH BL Schools a long time ago……my kids went there. I pass Shenendehowa every time I go to the Clifton Park area. My husband is retiring end of the year, and now has the idea of relocating to the Meredith New Hampshire area. We went there last weekend and looked at 3 houses. May be returning this weekend to look at a few more. We have no family, other than our two adult kids,and we know once they finish college, they won’t be working in the area. Average Concerned Mom - my daughter just finished a Summer Semester at the George Washington University. Was able to go to the ceremony of the Prime Minister of Japan, and sat 50 feet away from Pres. Bush, Chenay and the Prime Minister. Great program (Political Science). Found out she could never live in DC. No big cities for her. But she sure does know her way around that town now, both by car & subway. I sure am glad I came to this Thread! Nice to meet you guys!!
Commonground – at 15:44
Hi neighbor :-) If you want to stay informed about local activities vis-a-vis bird flu I suggest the Saratoga Dept. of Health (DOH). The county DOH’s will play a principle role in decision making if a pandemic were to occur (closing schools, distributing vaccine [if and when available] closing malls, sporting events, etc.) So they are a good resource to stay in close touch with - perhaps even make a personal contact or two. See ya around the neighborhood sometime.
I went to an informational meeting at our Town Hall put on by the Sar. Dept. of Health. I was very disappointed. Long story, but it seemed to be through a senior citizen club, might have been one of their activities. I had to question and then question again, until I finally got the truth. It made me feel good, because I got the Seniors mumbling. He just wasn’t being specific enough. And he told me in no uncertain terms, that the H5N1 could mix with H3N2 (?…our usual seasonal flu). Said it was impossible. He told the Seniors to stock up on over-the-counter meds, and by the time I was through with him, he disclosed that their Medicare program would not cover 3 months of scripts, and maybe, maybe, the local pharamacy would be open…..and maybe, they would have the med’s they needed. These are just their everyday meds. I needed the Seniors to know how difficult it may be. They did by the end of the meeting. Guy didn’t like my probbing questions…….oh well! He did reassure me that the “meals on wheels” program would still operate, as that was one thing that had been bothering me.
nothing new, but NY article (Rochester)
State official: Have 2 weeks food, water on hand New Yorkers should have a two-week supply of water and food on hand, as well as a stockpile of non-prescription drugs and other health supplies in case a feared avian flu pandemic becomes reality….
interesting they didn’t say a 2 week supply of PRESCRIPTION drugs… or maybe they did but it didn’t get in the article?
Commonground – at 16:16
I attended something similar by the Rensselaer DOH (that even included a free dinner) and it was very well done and informative. They even have a volunteer citizen emergency response team (cert), many of whom were among the 100 or so present. I gather that each county does its own thing and it is sad to hear that ‘toga may not be leading the pack :{
Saratgo will be more involved soon— they have to get through racing season is all! (-:
This was in Charlton……need I say more? From what you’ve told me PGG (ha!) I think Saratoga is doing pretty well. Also, I think each speaker is different? I don’t know. This guy had a bit of an attitude, and was coming close to mocking it, he had definitely met with this Senior group before. Joking around….had the Seniors laughing. By the time I got done with him…they weren’t taking it as such a joke.
PGG, you mention DOH, and I worked for DSS for 10 years. Down on N. Pearl in Albany. Seems like a lifetime ago.
Commonground – at 16:39
FYI - here are the notes I took from this meeting:
Pandemic Flu Town Meeting 7/27/06 - DOH Rensselaer County
Speakers: Brenda Maccio, RN, MS, FNP - Rensselaer County Bioterrorism Coordinator Lisa Thorne, MD - Rensselaer County Epidemiology Physician Ernie Clement, RN, MSN, CIC - Director of Infectious Control, Seton Health Peter Laz, CBCP - Forsythe Solutions Group, Inc. (business continuity consultant firm)
Rensselaer has a volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Avian influenza virus exists as “large” droplets (> 5 microns) so when sneezed or coughed into the air the droplets are heavy and fall to the ground or desk. These droplets do NOT become airborne for any significant distance so they are not carried through a building air handling system.
I could not get a recommendation on the best type of masks - they mentioned that masks may provide a false sense of security unless there is proper fit testing (for N95 masks) and training on how to dispose of masks after use. All masks are extremely hard to get now even for hospitals.
Hand washing was stressed over and over as the primary defense against the spread of AI as well as other germs. Hand sanitizers are OK but they do not remove things from the skin … but do disinfect. Hospitals have them everywhere - but still have trouble getting nurses and doctors to use them regularly.
Reported that 80% of infections that occur in hospitals are spread via hands (mainly nurses, doctors and visitors).
It was noted that line managers must be held accountable for developing, maintaining and testing corp. continuity plans for their areas of responsibility - it cannot be done by the corp. continuity manager.
As to screening employees before allowing them to come (back) to work: • CDC is expected to issue specific guidelines as to the symptoms to be watching for (as they did for SARS) • Seton Health is struggling with this very issue for their nursing staff • Recommend defining criteria (a check list would be good too) for employees to self -screen before reporting to work • Also consider setting up a triage point (off site) where a nurse could assess employees before allowing them to enter the work site (this would be good idea if sequestering becomes necessary and we have to bring in replacement employees after several weeks) • Screening should include checking temperature on the forehead with thermal scanners or cheap contact thermometers (supports the idea of getting these for each employee) • Also need to develop a protocol for employee who become sick on the job and must leave (keep distance, put on mask, record temperature, sign out sheet)
Rensselaer County DOH offers to conduct “flu shot clinics” for employees
Definitely a worthwhile meeting and I am encouraged by the actions being taken by Rensselaer County DOH. Seem to be ahead of the curve.
Definitely - sounds like they are really on top of things. I don’t get a paper here, so I’m out of the loop. Glenville Weekly & Community News. I don’t even know if they have had anything for Ballston Spa, Clifton Park. I do know they had a presentation through the Sch’dy Dept. of Health down at the Glen Sanders Mansion. The seniors in the meeting I attended, basically got a power point presentation on what avian flu is, complete with pictures of chickens, and hand washing techniques…..presenter had every laughing over washing your hands while singing some foolish song. Anyway…..thank you for that information. Now, the notes you took talk about screening of employees, anything on having incoming patients for flu symptoms set aside to one area of the waiting room, away from other patients coming in for other ailments?
The fellow from Seton Health did say they were talking about how to triage patients. However, I do not work in health care so that was not my context. I’m heading home from work now. Have a wonderful evening :)
And for the New Yorkers:
Planning summit set to discuss pandemic flu at http://tinyurl.com/q656o
A free information program on planning for pandemic influenza will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Best Western Binghamton Regency Hotel downtown.
Guest speakers will include Dr. David Chico of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Animal Industry, and Steve Toffolon and Marc Cerro of Marsh Risk Consulting.
To register, go to www.greaterbinghamtonchamber.com/events.asp or contact Sharon Ash at 772–8863, ext. 318 or sash@binghamtonchamber. com.
The event is being offered by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce and Broome County Health Department.
Hey Gang
I’ve been following this issue for a couple of years, my work puts me smack in the middle of both health care issues and business continuity assurance planning on a global level.
We’re all still way behind the curve because of the wide spread fear of being ridiculed for promoting effective preparation. Afraid that the preparation promoter will be pilloried as a panic monger.
Of course we all have many stories of DOH and others soft pedaling the issue. This week, my wife, an elected local official, sat through a presentation RE: pandemic by one of our local public health nurses. Nice person, I’ve known her for 25 years (longer than my wife) but the presentation was essentially ineffective. She spoke convincingly that we’re due for panflu, and told people to have two weeks, then told them that she has not prepared.
As if two weeks is enough. Beats nothing, and a good starting goal, but satisfaction at that level is basically because of lack of information and/or misinformation.
The Key message still needs to be that if/when this happens, there will be a tremendous desire to shelter in place for as much of the time as possible. To do so at that time requires preparation ahead of time. To wait until there is an obvious H2H outbreak somewhere is to wait (because of real panic fueled by just-in-time inventory controls) until it is too late.
We’ve done some extensive thinking and dialogue about this issue, and have some suggestions for the people in health care who have a voice about this. There are ready ears at both the state and local DOH level, but they need congruent noise from their constituency. Some thoughts on how to do that can be found here: Promoting Provisioning Caousing more people in your community to be prepared will keep you (and my family safer.)
Now come spend some tourist dollars in the Northcountry! ;-)
Hi, everyone. I’m a NYS prepper, too. I live southwest of Albany in the Town of New Scotland. I’m still waiting for some type of citizen input opportunity to appear. The state , counties and towns all have their committees but I haven’t seen any that are looking for the common resident to become involved in. I voluteered to sit on some, but without a medical degree of some type they didn’t seem interested. The Albany county website has very little information. IMO the recycling of Katrina type preparedness won’t help in a pandemic situation. Two weeks of preparations or planning for ‘snow days” just won’t cut it. By now everyone would have benefitted from a realistic approach. Our communities would have been much better prepared. I think they need to take it to the next level of risk communication and start telling folks to stock up now and for 3 months at least. It would also be helpful if they started giving out more info. on what to buy and how to store it. I think it is time for more communities to hold Town Meetings to begin addressing some of these concerns. Good to know that you are out there and that their are fellow preppers in my area.
I think it would help if we would all be willing to keep on posting NY pandemic news when we come across it and all dates and time of related open meetings in advance. Hopefully we can all be alerted to attend the ones close to where we live.
I have a question for Power Grid Guy. It sounds like you are in my general area. Are you able to share your feeling as to whether or not we should expect lengthy power outages during a pandemic?
Just got back from Manhattan. What a wonderful place!!! However, as I was walking through Times Square on Friday night, I was thinking about what would happen if Bird Flu became H2h2h. The same thoughts came to mind while riding the subway. If this becomes a pandemic, New York City, and most other major cities will be a disaster. There will be no avoiding it. I’m surprised that more people aren’t sick from general stuff. You guys must have great immune systems. Anyway, I had a great time.
Ruth: I was down in DC a month ago, and I was thinking the exact same thing about what would happen if it went H2h2h. I asked my daugher walking through Georgetown, “how would all these people SIP”. Her answer was simple. “They wouldn’t”.
Science Teacher – at 20:50 on 13 August 2006
“I have a question for Power Grid Guy. It sounds like you are in my general area. Are you able to share your feeling as to whether or not we should expect lengthy power outages during a pandemic?”
Yes I am in the Albany area. As to the likelihood for lengthy power outages, IMO the utility companies and grid operators have excellent plans for disaster recovery and they are actively updating those plans to deal with a potential pandemic. That should provide some comfort.
However, a more challenging event would be having a “typical” disaster (i.e., ice storm, hurricane, etc.) occur during a pandemic period. Then I believe it is more likely that there could be longer times for restoration within the affected region.
There is a long history and culture among the utility companies to offer mutual aid to their neighboring companies, states, etc., when a disaster occurs. However, the ability to provide mutual aid would likely be impaired during a pandemic and this too could contribute to longer outages.
In summary, IMO a pandemic would not increase the likelihood for a widespread power outage however it could lengthen the duration of local power outages caused by normal events.
I hope you find this information useful.
You folks in New York are fortunate, believe it or not, that your local and county governments are even having the conversation. Pandemic influenza hasn’t even entered the vocabulary in most places.
Thanks PowerGridGuy for your reply and I do feel reassured after having read it. I hope the pandemic planning for utilities does not rely on the concept of mutual aid because this may not be available due to the projected level of worker absentism. Can you tell me if workers are being prepared to SIP at the company site as I have read of this possibility elsewhere?
Sarge, I wish we all had the same level of planning across the board in all areas. This seems to me to be a major weakness in all Federal, State plans. Standards have been set but who is watching the chicken coop to see that pandemic guidelines are being incorporated with consistency?
Science Teacher – at 12:58
“Can you tell me if workers are being prepared to SIP at the company site as I have read of this possibility elsewhere?”
This is a part of our plan, however details are still be resolved. For example, how long could we expect employees to volunteer for SIP, what would they be paid, how would relief workers be brought into the facility, how would we handle someone getting sick while SIP, etc. Lots of delicate issues to work through and we’ll certainly not think of everything.
PowerGridGuy, It sounds like your plan will be an excellent one. Thanks for all the excellent work that you and others have done to keep us consumers up and running.
New Pandemic Forum Posting: Capital Region. September 6, 2006. Put on by The Albany Guardian Society and Albany Medical Center. “Should Pandemic Flu Strike: Epidemiology, Public Health and Ethics”. Time: 8:00–8:30 Registration, 8:30- 12:00 forum held at Albany Marriott 189 Wolf road, Cont. Breakfast included, no fee to attend. Speakers: John Balint, M.D. AMH, James Crucetti,M.D. Comm. of Albany Co. DOH, Perry Smith, MD NYS DOH Must register by fax 434–2162 or call 434–2140.
Thanks for posting this ST. Right in our backyard.
Hi, guys!
I’m visiting my parents near Albany for the weekend, and my mom told me something unusual.
She’s been contacted by a group called the Seton Health Foundation, because they say she comes highly recommended as an “influential person” in the community. (Absolutely true — she knows everyone and everything in our large town and is very well known and respected.)
They want her to come to a meeting next Tuesday, so she’s going — they didn’t tell her what it was about. The Foundation I understand runs several hospitals and maybe nursing homes, her guess is maybe they want to open a new one and are looking for input?
I think it just seems strange to hold this type of meeting in late August — wouldn’t they wait until September when people are back from vacation? And of course, I’m thinking what should be on hospitals minds is pandemic influenza, given the news lately. Maybe they are trying to get a group of people together to let them know about panflu and what could be done by the community?
I’m probably overly optimistic; many hospitals around seem to be just starting to have a plan or think abotu one — anyhow, likley I should post this on the “rumors” page since I have no actual news to report, but I wondered if you had heard anything about this foundation?
I’m sure I’ll know more on Tuesday…. (-: Will report back….
I live in southern Westchester. I went to the Village Manager and asked what preparations were being made, when they were going to have on open community meeting, if there were a need for citizen volunteers, etc. Preparations are being made for “disasters”, mainly bombs! Yes, they are discussing a pandemic as well. No there will be no meeting with citizens at this point, and no volunteers needed. My only consolation is that the manager himself was well-educated as to bird flu, seemed responsible and educated, but he has to deal with a very conservative mentality. I’ll hope for the best.
NYC Manhattan here - I am screwed.
Also, I saw a “community service” spot today directed to Westchester County, reminding us that there have been reports of possible major hurricanes in our area this year. We should all be prepared for power outages, and the other results of a large storm. The picture that ended the spot was of a mother and children filling a large storage tub with lots of food.
Okay, yes we were predicted to have more hurricane activity this year, but the weather pattern has changed, and that does not seem likely. I wonder why they want us to store food, medicines, etc??? Hmmmmm - could it be for a pandemic?
Power Grid Guy:
I assume you are with NYISO based on your proximity to Schenectady…
Do you know or can you share what preparations the NY utilities and/or NYISO have made for panflu?
I say utilities need absolute cordon sanitaire of plants and control centers to stay operational. (Forget transmission - if something trips leave it be - load will be way down anyhow)
I’m not aware of any utility preps other than TPTB emailing out that joke of a “guide” from the NERC web site.
Yeah, Power Grid Guy, interesting discussion over on a different thread — community preps for a worst case scenario part III I think — would be great to have your input as folks are talking about SIP with utilities and such.
ACM, I had the same idea. I came to ask Power guy to join us at the other thread. I wish I could figure out how to post the link. Anyway,
POWER GRID GUY, ARE YOU OUT THERE? We sure could use your help!
Community Preps thread
Hey Science Teacher — since I see you are posting on a differnt thread — any recent news about what’s been going on in the Albany area regarding pandemic conferences, meetings, etc? I really want to send my parents to something — a source of info other than… me….(-:
And — anyone send the pandemic awareness press release to the local papers in their area?
Hi, ACM,
I couldn’t get into the state conferences I wanted to attend, was told only for medical personnel. There have been 2 others sponsered by a senior citizens group. A few libraries have had speakers. All in all, they sure are not opening up discussions in this area with community input. The county page is insignificant. If you follow links it all ends up at the panflu govt. site. If I see any new conferences I will post here. Do your parents get the AARP magazine? It may be available at newsstands now. Webster’s interview there was imformative.
I sent out the press release to all the newspapers in the Albany area that I could find.
Hey, it sounds like some of you are not too far from me. I’m near clayton, just outside of a little hamlet call depauville
Hi, cottontop, Which city is nearest to you? Please post if there are any conferences or speakers in your area. Thanks!
science teacher
it’s nice to meet you. I was starting to feel alone here in upstate. the closest “big town” to me is Watertown, about 7 miles. Actually, I’m between watertown and clayton. I just caught the end of an announcement on the sycrause classical radio station, that there is going to be a lecture on aids, and pandemics. can’t tell you where or when. I’m going to google the radio station to find out.
Hi all, My husband and I live just over the GWB but our family business is in the garment center so even though we moved out of the city a couple of decades ago we still consider ourselves NYer’s and would love to keep abreast of what planning is taking place. We drive in everyday by car but the bus or train is always an option as well for exiting the city. Thanks for keeping this thread alive. :>}
The planning in NYC is … how can i say it… zippo.
Class of vax and removal of civil liberties.
No mention of stocking up on food, or school closings. The people in charge do not have the info we have. It is sad. There will be much suffering in NYC…
Cottontop & Science Teacher: On Oct. 22–23 in Syracuse they will be having a big EMT convention called “Vital Signs” at which there will be several presentations on pandemic flu. http://www.vitalsignsconference.com/
BTW, a good friend of mine who I have been trying to convince to prepare told me the other day that her uncle is pretty high up in the NY State health department. She said he just came back recently from some meeting where they were told all the public health personel in attendence “you don’t have to worry about bird flu.” I want to know which meeting that happened at, but I think my friend is afraid to tell me.
goju -at 11:18
Ah, you’ve noticed that too. I really thought it was just me, but did a google for new york/syracuse pandemic preparedness, and I found nothing useful, or up to date. I’m about to post on another thread soon, my encounter this morning, concerning this. We are really in a bad way, and I have one more idea, as the last one has just fell apart.
where are you located? If you are NYC, man I feel for you!