New York City Disaster Response Agencies and …

1 The following are the Agencies likely to respond to adisaster in New York City, depending on the scale andnature of what the Disaster might be. This is a partial list;not all Agencies will respond to every Red Cross in Greater New York (ARCGNY) American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARCGNY)supplements the efforts of city Agencies to ensure that thecitizens of New York are safe and have the assistance theyneed. Volunteers help those affected by Disaster with food,clothing and shelter, as well as mental health support andfinancial assistance. Con Edison (Con Ed) Edison Company of New York (Con Edison),a regulated utility, provides electric service in New Yo r kCity (except for a small area of Queens), and most ofWestchester County. Con Ed provides natural gas service inManhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens andWestchester. Con Edison also owns and operates the world slargest district steam system, providing steam service inmost of of Design and Construction,(DDC) DDC was created in October 1995 by Local Law 77,which authorized it to assume responsibility for certainconstruction projects formerly performed by theDepartments of Transportation, Environmental Protection,and General Services (now Citywide AdministrativeServices).

2 The Department delivers the City s constructionprojects in an expeditious, cost-effective manner, whilemaintaining the highest degree of architectural, engineering,and construction of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a very diverse agency whose primary mission is todeliver water to and treat the effluent of more than 8million City and upstate residents. DEP is also responsiblefor enforcement of the air, noise and hazardous materialslaws and rules; billing and collection of water and sewer usecharges; review of environmental impact statements; andadministration of the Environmental Control Mortuary Operational Team (D-Mort) National Response Plan assigns the National DisasterMedical System (NDMS) section under EmergencySupport Function #8 (ESF #8) to provide victimidentification and mortuary services. These responsibilitiesinclude: temporary morgue facilities; victim identification;forensic dental pathology; forensic anthropology methods;processing; preparation; disposition of order to accomplish this mission, Disaster MortuaryOperational Response Teams (DMORTs) were are composed of private citizens, each with aparticular field of expertise, who are activated in the eventof a Disaster .

3 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provides pre-hospital care to the citizens and visitorsof New York City. They are the Emergency MedicalTechnicians (EMTs) and Paramedics who respond to alldisasters, and they respond to calls made to the 911 New York City, EMS is comprised of the private,municipal, and volunteer sectors, and is overseen by theRegional EMS Responding to Disaster 14115 New York City Disaster Response Agencies and Organizations Copyright 2007 New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the UnitedStates against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, touphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States,and to provide leadership and criminal justice services tofederal, state, municipal, and international Agencies andpartners. If the Disaster is deemed to have been of terroristorigin, the FBI will be present and Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) s continuing mission within the Department ofHomeland Security is to lead the effort to prepare the nationfor all hazards and effectively manage federal Response andrecovery efforts following any national incident.

4 FEMA alsoinitiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders,and manages the National Flood Insurance Department of the City of New York (FDNY) first responders to fires, public safety and medicalemergencies, disasters, and terrorist acts, the FDNY protectsthe lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) DOHMH created the Office of Mental HealthDisaster Preparedness and Response to develop plans andtraining to meet the mental health needs of New Yorkersduring times of Disaster . To learn more about this office,visit the website at or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission of the DHS is to lead the unified nationaleffort to secure America. DHS will prevent and deterterrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threatsand hazards to the nation. DHS will ensure safe and secureborders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, andpromote the free-flow of Resources Administration (HRA) Human Resources Administration/Department ofSocial Services (HRA/DSS) enhances the quality of life forall New Yorkers by providing temporary help to eligibleindividuals and families with social service and economicneeds in order to assist them in leading independent goals are accomplished through the effectiveadministration of a broad range of social welfare programsincluding food, shelter, temporary financial assistance,medical care, counseling, and other essential Services Council (HSC) Human Services Council works to build broadrecognition and support for the substantial and essentialcontributions of the not-for-profit human service sector tothe citizens and the fabric of New York City.

5 ThroughHSC, the human services sector is able to act in concert onissues of mutual concern. It is the focal point for the sector semergency preparedness and Response . Working incooperation with federal, State and City Agencies , as well asother local and regional groups, HSC coordinatespreparedness activities and coordinates Disaster -recoveryservices following a major Disaster . International Critical Incident Stress Foundation/Critical Incident Management Teams (ICISF/CISM) International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.(ICISF) is a non-profit, open membership foundationdedicated to the prevention and mitigation of disablingstress through the provision of: Education, training andsupport services for all Emergency Services professions;Continuing education and training in Emergency MentalHealth Services for the Mental Health Community; andConsultation in the establishment of Crisis and DisasterResponse Programs for varied organizations andcommunities worldwide.

6 CISM teams may be on-site todebrief first Energy (Keyspan) gas service in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten IslandNew York Cares York Cares meets pressing community needs bymobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service. NewYork Cares is the lead agency in mobilizing and managingspontaneous unaffiliated volunteers in Response to disastersin New York City, with the help of NYCVOAD s DisasterVolunteerism Task Force. The New York Cares website( ) is the citywide resource on spontaneousvolunteer needs, linking interested volunteers withappropriate Agencies and projects. Individuals who wish toassist in the recovery effort after Disaster can sign up forprojects online, or call the New York Cares office New York City Disaster Response Agencies and Organizations 142 Copyright 2007 New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) members (VOAD) states and territories have a VoluntaryOrganizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) program whosemain mission is to coordinate the planning efforts of thatstate or territory s voluntary organizations committed todisaster Response .

7 The National Voluntary OrganizationsActive in Disaster (NVOAD) is the national coordinatingbody of these state and territory affiliates. During times ofdisaster, NVOAD, or it s affiliate, will encourage theparticipating voluntary organizations to engage theirdisaster Response services and will assist in coordinatingthese services with other local, state, and federal disasterresponse Agencies . Participating organizations in NVOAD include the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, CatholicCharities USA, Mennonite Disaster Services, and a host ofother human service and faith-based organizations. (see JackHerrmann, The Federal Response to Disaster , p. 140)New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) is a faith-based federation of service providers andcharitable organizations who work in partnership to providedisaster services. NYDIS mission is to develop and supportfaith-based Disaster readiness, Response , and recoveryservices for New York City.

8 In preparation for and inresponse to disasters, NYDIS convenes its leadership tonetwork with local, state, and national Agencies involved indisaster management to facilitate the delivery of services,resources, and information to religious communities, under-served victims, and impacted communities. NYDIS provides services through three principal program areas: Disaster ADVOCACY on behalf of Disaster victims(particularly vulnerable and under-served individuals) andimpacted communities. Disaster PLANNING & TRAINING includesmitigation education and preparedness training for faith-based communities, including houses of worship, religiousleaders and their neighborhoods, and partner Agencies . Response & LONG-TERM RECOVERY throughdirect victim services, training and support of caseworkers, religious leaders, and caregivers. New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner(OCME) Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases ofpersons who die within New York City from criminalviolence; by casualty or by suicide; suddenly, when inapparent good health; when unattended by a physician; in acorrectional facility; or in any suspicious or York City Office of Emergency Management(OEM) refer to Section F in the Reference Section for a fullerdescription of OEM and its York City Police Department (NYPD) Mission of the New York City Police Department is toenhance the quality of life in our City by working inpartnership with the community and in accordance withconstitutional rights to enforce the laws, preserve the peace,reduce fear, and provide for a safe environment.

9 Theirpresence at a Disaster is to secure the site, investigate thecause, and keep the other responders York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) provides essential services at Disaster sites that arenot always fully understood or recognized. They aregenerally the ones who clean up afterward, keep the areaaround the site clean and are the ones who ensure that oilspills, aftermath of traffic accidents, etc., are cleaned up andthat others can travel safely on our York City Voluntary Organizations Active inDisaster (NYCVOAD) is a chapter of a national organization withstate and local affiliates. NYCVOAD provides effectiveresponses and less duplication in service throughcoordination and planning before disasters engages members in various planningcommittees. The national website is andhas excellent resources. For more information aboutNYCVOAD, contact NYDIS at Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) s mission is to assure the safety and health ofAmerica s workers by setting and enforcing standards;providing training, outreach, and education; establishingpartnerships; and encouraging continual improvement inworkplace safety and health.

10 OSHA are the ones who willbe making certain that first responders and chaplains are using proper protective equipment in York City Disaster Response Agencies and Organizations 143 Copyright 2007 New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)New York City Disaster Response Agencies and Organizations 144 Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) PAPD patrols and polices the Holland and Lincolntunnels, Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports, the PATH trains, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and the WorldTrade Center. If there is a Disaster at any of these sites,PAPD will be EMS Council (REMSCO) EMS Department of Substance Abuse and Mental HealthServices Agency (SAMHSA) Ali Geith s Chapter on Mental Salvation Army in Greater New York (Chapter 14) Copyright 2007 New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)