Hope For The Best (But Prepare For Disaster)

Joyce Sagi, left, and Tess Tomasi, right, of Disaster and Risk Associates, display a Hurricane Sandy flood map of the city of Newark to residents of Gardens Senior.
Joyce Sagi, left, and Tess Tomasi, right, of Disaster and Risk Associates, display a Hurricane Sandy flood map of the city of Newark to residents of Gardens Senior.
Disaster presentation Josephine
Josephine Carmona, standing, a Business Development Consultant at Disaster and Risk Associates, speaks to residents about what items to pack in an emergency kit.

Hurricane Sandy barreled through New Jersey in 2012 but the residents of New Community Gardens Senior recalled the events of the storm as if it were last week. Arlene Brunson, a resident of 265 Morris Ave. in Newark, said she wants to be better prepared for the next big event, whether it’s a natural disaster or man-made emergency, so she attended a recent presentation by the Disaster and Risk Associates held at her building. Joyce Sagi, Founder and CEO of Disaster and Risk Associates, and two other representatives, gave residents tips on how to create an emergency exit plan, what to store in an emergency kit (batteries, cash, water, blanket, hand warmers, whistle, etc.) and a reminder to keep copies of important documents ready to grab and go.

Care Coordinator Angelique Christopher noted that the presenters emphasized the importance of neighbors checking on neighbors during a crisis, which can help lessen the burden on emergency responders.  “I want them to learn to depend on each other during an emergency,” Christopher said.

Also, seniors and disabled residents were urged to access Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters, which helps emergency responders better serve individuals. You can register with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management online at www.registerready.nj.gov.

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