N.Y. Executive Law § 22: State disaster preparedness plans

§ 22. State disaster preparedness plans. 1. The commission shall

prepare a state disaster preparedness plan and submit such plan to the

governor for approval no later than one year following the effective

date of this act. The governor shall act upon such plan by July first of

that year. The commission shall review such plans annually.

2. The purpose of such plans shall be to minimize the effects of

disasters by: (i) identifying appropriate measures to prevent disasters,

(ii) developing mechanisms to coordinate the use of resources and

manpower for service during and after disaster emergencies and the

delivery of services to aid citizens and reduce human suffering

resulting from a disaster, and (iii) provide for recovery and

redevelopment after disaster emergencies.

3. Such plans shall be prepared with such assistance from other

agencies as the commission deems necessary, and shall include, but not

be limited to:

a. Disaster prevention and mitigation. Plans to prevent and minimize

the effects of disasters shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) identification of hazards and assessment of risk;

(2) recommended disaster prevention and mitigation projects, policies,

priorities and programs, with suggested implementation schedules, which

outline federal, state and local roles;

(3) suggested revisions and additions to building and safety codes,

and zoning and other land use programs;

(4) suggested ways in which state agencies can provide technical

assistance to municipalities in the development of local disaster

prevention and mitigation plans and programs;

(5) such other measures as reasonably can be taken to protect lives,

prevent disasters, and reduce the impact of disasters.

b. Disaster response. Plans to coordinate the use of resources and

manpower for service during and after disaster emergencies and to

deliver services to aid citizens and reduce human suffering resulting

from a disaster emergency shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) coordination of resources, manpower and services, using recognized

practices in incident management and utilizing existing organizations

and lines of authority and centralized direction of requests for

assistance;

(2) the location, procurement, construction, processing,

transportation, storing, maintenance, renovation, distribution, disposal

or use of materials, including those donated, and facilities and

services;

(3) a system for warning populations who are or may be endangered;

(4) arrangements for activating state, municipal and volunteer forces,

through normal chains of command so far as possible and for continued

communication and reporting;

(5) a specific plan for rapid and efficient communication, and for the

integration of state communication facilities during a state disaster

emergency, including the assignment of responsibilities and the

establishment of communication priorities, and liaison with municipal,

private and federal communication facilities;

(6) a plan for coordinated evacuation procedures, including the

establishment of temporary housing and other necessary facilities;

(7) criteria for establishing priorities with respect to the

restoration of vital services and debris removal;

(8) plans for the continued effective operation of the civil and

criminal justice systems;

(9) provisions for training state and local government personnel and

volunteers in disaster response operations;

(10) providing information to the public, including coordination with

any state recognized information and referral services;

(11) care for the injured and needy and identification and disposition

of the dead;

(12) utilization and coordination of programs to assist victims of

disasters, with particular attention to the needs of the poor, the

elderly, individuals with disabilities and other groups which may be

especially affected;

(13) control of ingress and egress to and from a disaster area,

including but not limited to, exempting from travel bans those essential

private and public personnel, as determined by the commission, who are

summoned by their employers to assist in emergency services, such as

utility and other workers who need to reach declared emergency areas in

order to perform tasks related to the restoration and/or maintenance of

energy and communications infrastructure;

(14) a plan for the delivery of medical supplies and medications to

pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes located within the area declared

to be experiencing a disaster emergency.

(15) arrangements to administer federal disaster assistance;

(16) a system for obtaining and coordinating situational awareness

including the centralized assessment of disaster effects and resultant

needs; and

(17) utilization and coordination of programs to assist individuals

with household pets and service animals following a disaster, with

particular attention to means of evacuation, shelter and transportation

options.

c. Recovery. Plans to provide for recovery and redevelopment after

disaster emergencies shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) measures to coordinate state agency assistance in recovery

efforts;

(2) arrangements to administer federal recovery assistance; and

(3) such other measures as reasonably can be taken to assist in the

development and implementation of local disaster recovery plans.