After Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy created havoc for many Hudson Valley communities a few years back, Annmarie McAnany got the Sloatsburg Public Library busy preparing itself for future emergencies.

With the assistance of NY Senator David Carlucci’s office, the library secured grant funding for a new emergency generator that, after installation, will also qualify the library as an official community NYS emergency shelter. The library is currently designated as a limited emergency shelter.

The first responders in every situation are you. You have to make a decision – whether you stay in the house or whether you evacuate. The more information you have, the better position you’ll be in to protect yourself and your loved ones.                                                                   — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

The Sloatsburg Library is now helping to take its emergency preparedness message to the wider community. On Wednesday, December 7, the Sloatsburg Library will host two public information sessions held at the Sloatsburg Senior Center.

The sessions will feature First Lieutenant Brett White and First Lieutenant Thomas J. Frost from the New York National Guard, who are part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Corps. The duo are on an outreach mission to provide residents the knowledge and tools to prepare for emergencies and disasters, and, hopefully, allow for recovery as quickly as possible.

The two Disaster Preparedness take place at the Sloatsburg Senior Center at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Learn how to develop a family emergency plan, stock up on emergency supplies and register for NY-Alert, the free statewide emergency alert system.

For more information, call the Sloatsburg Public Library at 845-753-2001.