Photo credit – Matt Meduri
Although summer is coming to a close, hurricane season continues until November. County public safety leaders held a press conference at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge last Thursday afternoon to not only discuss storm preparedness for the general population, but also as it relates to service dogs and pets.
As pets are just as valued as family members as anyone else, the County sees it as a priority to include them in evacuation routes and shelters and encourages residents to include them in their plans. Service dogs are also encompassed in the County’s storm preparedness vision. Foundations such as Paws of War and America’s VetsDogs were also present with some faithful companions to help reinforce the County’s message.
“When storms come up, you have to ask yourself one question: ‘Am I ready?’” said Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Chair of the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Committee. “Our County is ready.”
Thorne recommended several precautions for residents to take themselves, such as keeping a waterproof container with enough medication to last several weeks, compiling a note of medical history, keeping enough perishable foods, and keeping enough resources to weather the storm or even survive should electricity be unavailable.
“Our County is always ready regardless of what storm comes, but we cannot fight Mother Nature,” said Thorne. “It takes preplanning; it takes you to have a plan on where your family is going to be.”
Thorne also urged residents to heed warnings of evacuation should they arise.
“We simply cannot engage a whole fire-EMS team for folks who just refuse to evacuate, and there may come a point in any storm where we physically can’t,” said Thorne.
Thorne added that the County has already set up a plan with FRES and OEM that every campus of Suffolk Community College – Brentwood, Riverhead, and Selden – will accept animals in a shelter, service animal or not.
“It’s a plan we already have in place because we know how important our loved ones are, especially our animals,” concluded Thorne (pictured above).
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Chair of the Veterans Committee, reinforced the message of the day.
“We care about our pets, and we want to make sure they’re treated and cared for in the ways they’re supposed to be,” said Caracappa. “Be cognizant. Let’s keep the health and safety of our pets at the forefront. We have to do for them what they can’t do for themselves.”
Acting Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said that in the height of hurricane season, “preparedness is key.”
“We are asking residents to be prepared, and of course, we cannot forget about our pets,” said Sunderman, gesturing to a table of pre-made to-go bags that residents should assemble in preparation for a storm or evacuation. To-go bags for pets were also recommended, filled with medication, food, dishes, and other necessities.
“Make sure you have dog food, and possibly, Beggin’ Strips,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) (pictured above). “Have any other treats so we can keep our pets as calm as possible in this situation.”
The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) offered their “countdown to readiness” for residents’ storm preparedness.
“Number three: be informed. Number two: be prepared. Number one: know your zone,” said OEM Director Joe Trzepizur, adding that residents should text “suffolkalerts” to 67283. Doing so will sign up the petitioner for alerts regarding storm location and evacuation routes. The service is available in Spanish as well by texting “suffolkespanol to the same number.
Trzepizur also suggested that residents register for Smart 911 by visiting smart911.com or downloading the app. On this platform, OEM provides more information to 911 dispatchers through device interconnectivity.
“The information that you choose to include is optional, but there’s room for your family [on the platform],” said Trzepizur. “This is a resilient community, so we encourage all residents to visit suffolkcounty.gov and go to the Fire Rescue page where you can get more information for who to call for help.”
Trzepizur added that flood zones are viewable on the platform as well. Residents can visit this page to know if they live on or near flood-prone waters.
The organization is also available on social media at Facebook and Instagram.
Marcelle Leis, Director of Veterans’ Services, spoke of her time in the Air National Guard and her deployment across Long Island during Superstorm Sandy, namely as it related to pets.
“We had to go into homes and neighborhoods where people would not leave their pets behind,” said Leis. “It’s equally important to know that Veterans are fiercely protective of the things they love, and pets are one of them.”
Executive Romaine said the County has been working to set up shelters throughout the county. A notice has been sent out to County workers that allow them to work at the shelters in times of emergency. Instead of reporting to their normal job, they would report to a shelter.
A representative for America’s VetDogs spoke on emergency preparedness as it relates to service animals.
“A service dog is not a pet and those with servicing guide dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” said the representative. “However, many of the tips we provide to our assistance dog handlers and volunteers are applicable to pets as well. Ensure that your home is marked with a rescue alert sticker to inform first responders about hazardous animals or animals inside. Keep collars and identification tags up to date, including your cell phone number.”
Rescue alert stickers can be obtained through guide dog foundations or through contacting your County Legislator’s office.
“Prepare an emergency kit with at least five days worth of food, water, and medical supplies for your animal. Store food in waterproof containers, include a first aid kit, and keep a backup supply of any required medications for your dog,” said the VetDogs representative. “Keep a copy of your dog’s medical record in a waterproof container and determine a place to go ahead of time.”
The representative urged that service dog and/or pet owners know where local boarding facilities and emergency shelters are and ensure that those facilities can accommodate animals. Suffolk County provides pet-friendly shelters and those can be found on the County’s website. However, all shelters must generally allow individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals.
Romaine added that all eighteen County Legislators will receive those lists of shelters to disseminate to the public.
Romaine also called on the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to work on burying power lines where applicable to avoid extended power outages due to storms.
“I was an active rescuer during Hurricane Sandy, and I cannot describe what we witnessed, trying to save animals. We witnessed some animals losing their lives because of it,” said Rob Misseri, President of Paws of War. “I wish every county could have this press conference because it’s going to save lives.”
“Even dogs who aren’t service dogs still serve us,” said Romaine. “Who else is going to wag their tail when you come home?”
Romaine and others greeted one such companion eager to meet all attendees, TeddE, the service dog in training.
