http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20131113-142217

The county Health Department will be holding an Emergency Preparedness Workshop next Tuesday to teach citizens what to do in the face of a natural disaster.

Oneida County was hit with several weeks of destructive flooding at different times last year, prompting County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. to announce the workshop at the Ava Dorfman Senior Center at 305 East Locust Street.

The workshop will be held from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19. Participants should register at the website http://www.ocgov.net.

“The events of last summer brought home the reality that Oneida County residents must be prepared to protect their lives and property in the face of a natural disaster,” Picente said.

“Every household in Oneida County should have an emergency supply kit, a well-rehearsed disaster plan and be well-informed about impending threats and how to best respond to them.”

The workshops will each be 20-minutes-long, and will have participants visit a series of stations to learn about various disaster risks and what to do in specific circumstances. Guests will learn what to do with children during an emergency, as well as what to do with family members with special needs and pets.

Participants will be able to build a free emergency preparedness kit, which will include a hand-crank weather radio, a first-aid kit, water storage container, waterproof document holder, a USB flash drive and a children’s book, while supplies last. The first 300 households to register will be guaranteed the kit.

“Each of us has a responsibility to ourselves and our loved ones to be prepared should disaster strike or an emergency occur,” said Phyllis Ellis, the county Director of Health said.