NY State Opens Tenth Emergency Stockpile
The 35,000-square-foot facility is equipped with 26 light towers, 138 pumps and hoses, more than 100,000 sandbags, a sand bagger, 700 cots, more than 1,000 blankets and an equal number of pillows, 88 generators, more than 500 flashlights, and 36,000 cans of water.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Jan. 17 announced the operational opening of New York State's 10th emergency stockpile, this one in Hamburg, N.Y, in western New York, saying it places key emergency assets in the western region to support local response needs during an emergency or disaster. The stockpile contains supplies and equipment that are often needed during a disaster.
"When an emergency hits New York, it is critical that the right equipment and supplies are available when New Yorkers need it most," he said. "With the opening of this stockpile in Erie County, we ensure that we are able to rapidly deploy vital supplies in emergency situations and better coordinate state support with our local partners in the Western New York region."
The 35,000-square-foot facility is equipped with 26 light towers, 138 pumps and hoses, more than 100,000 sandbags, a sand bagger, 700 cots, more than 1,000 blankets and an equal number of pillows, 88 generators, more than 500 flashlights, and 36,000 cans of water. It will also be utilized as a key staging location for emergency vehicles and personnel for emergency response in the region.
"This administration has faced more natural disasters than any in history. If the increased episodes of major winter weather, hurricanes, and flooding, including the ongoing flooding situation along Lake Ontario, have taught us anything, it's that we must be prepared to mitigate what Mother Nature sends our way," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "The completion of our disaster recovery stockpiles across New York State, including the most recent and final one in western New York, will now ensure that we are prepared when any type of weather event or emergency strikes."
Cuomo established the state stockpile program after Tropical Storms Lee and Irene, creating a network of pre-positioned equipment and supplies and personal care items. Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger L. Parrino, Sr. said, "Making sure we are prepared for future emergencies by having the right equipment in place before a disaster strikes is vital to the protection of lives and property. This tenth location enhances our stockpile program and ensures adequate supplies of equipment are ready for rapid deployment."