United Way, 2-1-1 Long Island and PSEG Long Island Launch New Safety Collaboration, BeReadyLI.org

September 1, 2016 (Deer Park, NY) – September is National Preparedness Month and United Way, 2-1-1 Long Island and PSEG Long Island are recognizing the importance of being prepared and staying safe with the launch of BeReadyLI.org, a new online resource aimed at helping Long Island residents prepare before, during, and after disasters.

Long Island has experienced a variety of disasters throughout the years – the Pine Barrens Blaze, the Blizzard of ’96, Hurricane Irene and most recently, Superstorm Sandy. The tragic aftermath of Superstorm Sandy highlighted the need for greater community guidance in the area of disaster preparedness. Long Island was the most populated area of New York in Sandy’s path, 95,534 homes were damaged – and in some cases, totally lost.

United Way’s 2-1-1 Long Island, a comprehensive resource database, bolstered local disaster efforts of organizations like the American Red Cross on Long Island, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island and Island Harvest by helping to mobilize and assist disaster-affected families, as well as inform residents on how to help their neighbors by enlisting as a volunteer.  Now, expanding on those services, BeReadyLI.org enhances access to Long Islanders with appropriately equipped timely and accurate information to improve emergency readiness, through community-based partnerships and public education.

“Working together as a community to not only help families following disasters, but help families be prepared before a disaster is crucial,” said Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone. “Supporting our neighbors in times of need is critical, but when we have the ability to help ourselves, which is now easier with the launch of BeReadyLI.org, everyone benefits.”

"Disaster can strike anywhere at any time," said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.  "The partnership between United Way of Long Island and PSEG Long Island for the BeReadyLI.org website provides all our Nassau County residents with access to critical resources that, in addition to the NassauNow mobile application and Smart911.com, assist residents before, during and after times of emergency. Be prepared, not scared."

BeReadyLI.org is a fully interactive, comprehensive and easy-to-use website, compiling critical information applicable to children, the elderly, those with special needs and even pets in an effort to simplify the process of being prepped before disaster strikes. This resource will proactively help families and communities take action to improve their emergency preparedness and resiliency to potential disasters. It is crucial that Long Islanders understand the risks and the steps required to stay safe.

“Safety is PSEG Long Island’s top priority, and we know that ensuring our customer’s safety during a major emergency takes a lot of planning and care,” said David Daly, President and COO of PSEG Long Island. “BeReadyLI takes a multitude of preparedness resources and puts them in one intuitive location, making certain that all our customers have time to plan and stay safe.”

“Living in a complex region that can experience a range of severe weather patterns from heat waves to snow storms presents a unique set of questions, the most important one being, how do we stay safe?” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “BeReadyLI is a true safety collaboration and with the support of PSEG Long Island, we are able to bring together experts from all fields in an effort to provide Long Islanders with a simple yet fully comprehensive resource that will provide invaluable moving forward.”

Features of BeReadyLI.org include:

  • preparedness tips and facts about variety of disaster categories;
  • an expansive but concise database of programs and support services;
  • critical phone numbers and websites of recovery resources;
  • up-to-the-minute weather tracking and outage maps;
  • educational videos and guides for children from Sesame Street;
  • a short quiz testing the user’s preparedness level

BeReadyLI encourages everyone to take the first step in protecting themselves. Taking simple, yet effective measures to plan for the unexpected can make a dramatic difference in the outcomes of disaster situations. To take the Pledge to be Prepared, or to learn more about keeping your family safe, visit BeReadyLI.org.

Photo caption: Representatives from the non-profit, public and government sectors come together to announce the launch of BeReadyLI.org, a new online resource aimed at helping Long Island residents prepare before, during, and after disasters. Pictured from left to right are: Devera Lynn, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at United Way of Long Island, Neela Lockel, CEO of American Red Cross on Long Island, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Randi Shubin-Dresner, President and CEO of Island Harvest, Gwen O’Shea, President and CEO of Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, David M. Daly, President and COO of PSEG Long Island, Don Daly Jr., Business Manager for IBEW Local 1049, AFL-CIO joined by Grover and children from Long Island Head Start.