ONONDAGA COUNTY -- Central New York is hoping for the best, but it wants to make sure it's ready to respond to the worst.
Organizations in the preparedness business are working together to put neighbors at ease and make sure Onondaga County is equipped to handle the unexpected.
Although Onondaga County has been spared from the brunt of high-profile disasters, significant weather-events are striking closer to home.
The Southern Tier experienced a one-two punch from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. Then, in 2012, some of the same areas were threatened by Super Storm Sandy.
Then, there are the man-made disasters. Chemical spills, nuclear accidents and pandemics also make headlines.
Now the American Red Cross, Onondaga County Department of Emergency Management, the county Health Department, and the Food Bank of Central New York are talking strategy to plan for worst-case scenarios.
They're launching a Community Resilience Strategy. Similar strategies were enacted in five larger, disaster-prone cities including New Orleans, San Francisco and Miami. As a result, 100,000 neighbors -- who did not previously have a plan in place --were helped. Neighborhood networks were developed, complete with their own evacuation, feeding and communication plans.
The goal in Onondaga County to establish similar networks of individuals and organizations to fill the gap. But first, we need to identify the problems.
That's where you come in. Emergency officials are asking for your input.
"While we're getting educated on what people need, we're also asking people to play a role in preparedness," says Rosie Taravella, Chief Operating Officer of the American Red Cross Central New York Chapter.
-How do you think the county has done in responding to disaster?
-What are the strengths?
-What areas could benefit from improvement?
Onondaga County neighbors are asked to take a survey, to help the Resilience Strategy Team figure out which areas need to be addressed, and re-worked.
In taking the survey, it's hoped families will think about their own emergency plans.
The Red Cross says about 42 percent of the population has an emergency preparedness disaster kit.
"You know these things happen fast," Taravella says. If you don't have a disaster kit, make one. Also, talk to your family about what you would do in case there is an emergency.
"Maybe have drills with your family and neighborhood to so you'll be better prepared when it happens," Taravella suggests.
The Central New York Chapter of the American Red Cross serves 16 counties, from Potsdam to Binghamton. It had 57 shelters set up in anticipation of impact from Super Storm Sandy. Thirty volunteers were ready to be sent wherever they were needed.
In the last fiscal year, The Central New York chapter has responded to 153 local emergencies in Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego Counties alone. It's helped 688 military members and trained 11,467 people in life-saving skills.
"Citizens need to also be prepared to ensure their safety, and their family's safety by planning and preparing and staying informed," says Ken Wisely, from Onondaga County Emergency Management.
You have until April 19 to take the survey.
After that, results will be analyzed.
There will also be town hall meetings where residents can voice their concerns.
The organizations hope to implement a plan by Fall 2013.
This could include providing emergency equipment for public venues, establishing neighborhood hubs, or identifying places or organizations as go-to places in the event of a disaster.
National Grid has contributed $150,000 toward the program.
