Albany, New York – One need only look outside to realize that there is something awry with our climate and weather patterns. New York is experiencing its fourth Nor’easter within one month, mudslides are devastating the northern corridor of New York State, Hurricanes, and Super Storms are part of the vernacular of most individuals. The immediate need to inculcate and educate New Yorkers on how to react and prepare for disasters are no longer within the realm of fiction, it is a reality that must be addressed.

Recent events have brought to light the gravity of the state of our climate, our environment and the drastic events that are causing catastrophic damage in and throughout New York State. The need for an Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness subcommittee is imperative.

Drawing on her past experience as a social worker and counselor and overseeing numerous rebuilding efforts from Super Storm Sandy, Assembly Jaime Williams is leading the charge to insure that the residents of New York State know how to be prepared and how to act in stressful and unpredictable circumstances. “The split decision one makes during a time of a natural disaster can be a life saver, the need to arm our citizens with this knowledge is of the utmost importance, the climate and environment are changing and we must be change as well to be equipped to react and prevent disaster,” remarked Assembly Member Williams.

Functioning as a subcommittee to the Governmental Operations Committee, the need to have a responsive taskforce to address and protect constituents is paramount more than ever. The Taskforce is implemented to provide seminars and training on emergency preparedness and work hand in hand with the National Guard, the Red Cross, and of course the members at large of the Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”).