Public Information

Preparing for an Emergency

Extensive planning efforts have been undertaken to ensure Rockland County's first responders are fully prepared for future acts of terrorism or other emergencies. Through the coordination of the Rockland County Department of Health, Law Enforcement Agencies, Hospitals and Fire and Emergency Services emergency preparedness plans are continually updated, improved and practiced to ensure the safety and well being of all residents.

Learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your home in the event of a fire, severe weather, radiological or other emergency by following the guidelines below.

The best way for a family to be prepared for an emergency is to plan in advance. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supply kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy to carry containers such as backpacks, duffel bags or covered trash containers. Plan in advance for evacuation: establish a "family contact," determine family meeting places near and away from your home, be sure all family members know the phone number and make allowances for family pets.

Be Prepared

• Download and keep copies of the Family Disaster Plan Checklist at www.ready.gov.
• Receive emergency info by registering at NYAlert and CodeRED
• Enroll in the Access & Functional Needs Registry. Rockland County has developed this registry for residents with limited mobility or special needs, which might impact a timely response during an emergency.
• Download the Rockland County Special Needs Registry User Guide.
• Download the Ready Rockland Booklet for Older Adults and People with Access and Functional Needs.

Fire Safety & Prevention

Fire is a fundamental force in nature. Without fire, life as we know it today would not exist. Friendly fires heat our homes, cook our food, and help to generate our energy. Like any force of nature, however, fire also carries with it the potential for great destruction. Fire poses a potential threat to our lives, property, and resources.

Civilian fire deaths in the United States have declined fairly steadily over the past decade from a high of over 7,700 per year in 1978 to an average of about 6,000 per year since 1982. It is important to have a plan.

What You Should Do

• Plan two escape routes out of each room.
• Practice fire drills at least twice a year.
• Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire.
• Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out.
• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Clean and test them at least once a month. Change batteries at least once a year.
• Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household in case of fire.
• Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.
• Purchase and learn how to use a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.
• Consider installing home sprinklers.

In the Event of a Radiological Emergency

Learn how to prepare for an emergency situation at the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan, NY. The plant is in Westchester County, approximately 40 miles north of New York City and across the Hudson River from Rockland County.

Parents, Teachers & Groups

Museum Tours

The Rockland County Volunteer Fire Services Museum is located within the Fire Training Center and includes antique fire trucks, equipment, and more. We can provide tours of the museum through our Museum Committee; please contact Mike Leitner for information.

Explorer's Post Youth Program

We also have an Explorer's Post Youth Program for prospective firefighters (ages 14-21). For more information on this, contact Mike Conklin at 845-359-8595.

If you are interested in any of the above mentioned programs, you can also contact the Rockland County Fire Training Center at 845-364-8800.

Household Hazardous Waste

Did you know? Rockland County residents can dispose of their household hazardous waste at the Fire Training Center on weekdays from 8-1 and on selected weekends. Items that can be dropped off include batteries, paint, mercury thermometers, and more.

Visit Rockland Recycles for more info or call their automated helpline at 845-364-2444.

Business & Industry

Industrial and Institutional Training

Business and industry are faced with an ever-increasing number of requirements and regulations. The Rockland County Fire Training Center can assist your firm in complying with these important regulations by providing you and your employees with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed in a variety of topics, including: fire prevention and suppression, emergency planning, evacuation procedures, and hazardous materials. We have developed and delivered many effective training programs for businesses, such as:

• Structural Fire Brigade Training
• Incipient Fire Brigade Training
• High Rise Fire Safety
• Fire Safety in Health Care Institutions
• Fire Safety in Business Facilities
• Fire Extinguisher Training

"Fire Extinguisher Training at Your Facility!" - The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires that you provide training in the use of fire extinguishers if you provide extinguishers at your facility. To assist the business community, we have purchased a state-of-the-art portable fire training simulator which allows us to bring our important fire extinguisher training program to your site. This simulator, is completely self-contained and allows our instructors to give your employees "hands-on" practice with all types of fire extinguishers under safe, controlled live fire conditions. This training simulator uses clean burning propane to fuel various props that simulate Class A, Class B, and Class C fires. We can use your fire extinguishers or bring our own extinguishers for the program.

If you are interested in any of the above mentioned programs please contact the following: For information on Firefighting Training Programs please contact Peter Byrne, Coordinator, Fire Instructors at byrnep@co.rockland.ny.us. For information on Industrial And Institutional Training Programs please contact Andrew Kolesar, Industrial Training Coordinator, at kolesara@co.rockland.ny.us.

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