A Message from Supervisor Scott Russell

As I am sure you are aware, hurricane season will soon be upon us. As Southold Town Supervisor, I also serve as your Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. As such, I am introducing the updated Town’s Emergency Preparedness Plan. Part of the plan incorporates a new component which provides an overview for individuals with special evacuation needs and an application for evacuation assistance. The information you provide on the application is confidential, it will be entered in a secure database for use by emergency management personnel, and should the need arise it will be used to contact you in the event of a local emergency.

Special Needs Component

The goal of this special needs component is to identify our more vulnerable residents in advance thus enabling us to be prepared for immediate and appropriate evacuation. Keep in mind that this application is for those individuals with special evacuation needs only and not for the general population or for residents of a medial or an extended care facility. Town residents not requiring special evacuation needs will be directed to general population shelters in their area.

It is my feeling that government has a shared responsibility with its constituents to plan and to manage its emergency resources so that we all can best respond to any emergency. I encourage all town residents to take personal responsibility for their own preparedness when an emergency situation is imminent. Please take all the necessary steps and precautions to ensure that you, your family and your neighbors are prepared.

This special needs component I am introducing is only one critical part of the Town’s Emergency Response Plan. As your Supervisor and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator I am committed to keeping you informed and prepared in the event that an emergency situation unfolds.