Prep Talk

The winter season is officially here, and with it, the threat of snowfall and colder weather. Winter also heightens the risk of fire-related incidents, as individuals are finding ways to stay warm, while others may be decorating for the holidays. ‘Tis the season for fire safety. That is the message you will hear from New York City Fire Department’s (FDNY) Capt. Michael Kozo on the latest episode of “Prep Talk.” As an FDNY veteran with more than 15 years of experience, Kozo shares important fire safety tips during the winter months. A winter don’t: never heat homes with a stove or oven. Kozo also advises listeners to make sure the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are changed regularly, at least every six months. Another helpful tip is the placement of space heaters and turning them off while you sleep.

Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk59

With the official start of the winter season just weeks away, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is gearing up to battle the elements. Between challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and Mother Nature, the men and women of DSNY ― known as the heroes behind the plows ― are prepared for the unexpected. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Acting DSNY Commissioner Edward Grayson outlines important strategies the City will implement to combat the season’s snowfall. During the episode, Acting Commissioner Grayson discusses snow removal plans in relation to outdoor dining, the efficacy of brining, and new snow laborer volunteer procedures. He also encourages New Yorkers to develop emergency plans for the season and reminds individuals to stay informed through the City’s public messaging tools like Notify NYC.

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If you connect it, protect it. That is one of the messages you will hear during this year’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Toney Lewis, director for information technology at NYC Emergency Management, shares important information to help listeners reduce cybersecurity risks and protect themselves online. Lewis provides tips that can help you create strong passwords, protect your personal devices, identify the most common cyberattacks, and ensure your social media accounts are secure. You can also learn what you should do if you fall victim to a cyberattack.

Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk57

You will gain more than you give. That’s the message guests on the latest episode of “Prep Talk” want you to know about NYC Emergency Management’s John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service. Founded in 2012 in honor of the late John D. Solomon, an accomplished journalist who dedicated much of his time to helping his community through volunteerism, the program provides 10 graduate students in the New York City area the opportunity to complete a nine-month, paid fellowship in a New York City government agency or nonprofit organization. The program embodies John’s commitment to serving others.

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This year’s unprecedented challenges have not stopped New Yorkers from helping their communities in times of emergency. In fact, many are stepping up to join the New York City Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program.

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Herman Schaffer, acting deputy commissioner for community preparedness, and Joseph Pupello, director of volunteer programs at NYC Emergency Management, discussed how the CERT volunteer program has adapted its in-person, hands-on training structure to offer prospective volunteers the chance to receive virtual training. With the assistance of trained instructors from NYPD and FDNY, the prospective volunteers were able to complete training courses in fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and traffic management. As a result, 36 individuals will graduate on September 15, joining more than 1,200 CERT volunteers who can help their communities during an emergency.

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If you want to stay informed about the latest emergency occurring in New York City, look no further than Notify NYC. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Rebecca Baudendistel, director of public warning at NYC Emergency Management, discusses the importance of using the messaging platform to provide accurate, timely information to the public before, during, and after an emergency. From severe weather to health emergencies like COVID-19, we take a deep dive into the protocols implemented to ensure the public stays up-to-date and takes appropriate actions when disaster strikes. It is the information New Yorkers need, the way they want to consume it.

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As New York City heads into peak hurricane season, New York City Emergency Management’s podcast, “Prep Talk,” takes a closer look at hurricane preparedness in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the latest episode, Jacob Cooper, NYC Emergency Management’s deputy commissioner for readiness, shares important tips to help New Yorkers prepare for a coastal storm and highlights key changes to the City’s sheltering plans as hurricane season converges with COVID-19.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is not stopping community organizations from what they do best: help those who need it the most. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Rev. Karen Jackson, director of recovery and community initiatives at Project Hospitality, and Erum Hanif, chief executive officer of APNA Community Center in Brooklyn, discuss the initiatives their organizations have implemented to help their communities during this difficult time.

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As the weather warms up and the potential risk for heat waves increases, New York City is taking a number of steps to ensure New Yorkers are safe this summer. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Kizzy Charles-Guzman, deputy director at the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency, and Carolyn (Cari) Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, discuss initiatives to help vulnerable populations beat the heat, specifically in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Charles-Guzman and Olson highlight strategies to ensure vulnerable New Yorkers stay cool and safe at home, create safe summer cooling options, and conserve energy. They also discuss measures neighborhoods can implement to stay cool, along with tips people can use to stay safe at home.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk51

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the latest episode of “Prep Talk” features Ali Gheith, certified emergency manager (CEM) and professional disaster mental health counselor. Gheith discusses steps individuals can take to cope with stress related to these difficult, unprecedented times, identifies the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety, describes their effects, and outlines tips for stress management. New York City’s NYC Well is available for anyone who may have trouble coping with problems like stress, depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol use.

Any New Yorker in need of mental health support can call 1-888-NYC-WELL or text “Well” to 65173. If an individual is in danger or needs immediate medical attention, call 911. NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk50