Citizen preparedness class available on Thursday at CCE

Provided photo: Those who attend the class will receive a free disaster preparedness kit.

KNOWLESVILLE – There is still time to register for citizens preparedness class set for this 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Trolley Building of the Cornell Cooperative Extension on Route 31.

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County is working to educate the community on how to prepare.

The class on Thursday is free, but registration is required – simply to ensure that National Guard can bring enough emergency kits to distribute to those who attend.

The mission of these training classes is to give residents the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible.  The course provides an introduction to responding to natural or man-made disasters.

Participants are advised on how to properly develop family emergency plans and stock up on emergency supplies. Those who attend a class will be given a free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit (one per family) containing key items to assist in the aftermath of a disaster.

“For our community, these classes are extremely beneficial in helping the everyday resident to prepare for the different weather events that impact us,” said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director. “The classes are taught by the Army National Guard and offer a quick synopsis of various events experienced regionally, the impact they had and how individuals and families can take steps to minimize the impacts of similar events in the future.”

To register for the event, visit www.prepare.ny.gov and click on the training calendar to find the event you would like to attend.