Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced recently that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering Are You Ready?: A Guide To Citizen Preparedness, a free comprehensive emergency preparedness guide to a wide range of emergency situations.

FEMA's website allows visitors to download the booklet with information, preparation tips, and post-disaster survival tips. Visit www.fema.gov and click on the link Are You Ready? Guide. The link will allow you to download the entire guide, or sections of it depending on the specific information you seek. Residents can also contact FEMA at 1-800-480-2520.

"In the event of any type of natural or man-made emergency, it is very important for people to stay calm and to understand what they need to do in order to protect themselves and their families," Fuschillo said. "One of the best means of safety is the knowledge of how to prepare for the situations beforehand and to be aware of what each type of emergency entails, whether it be a hurricane, a heat wave, a winter storm, or a hazardous spill."

Within Are You Ready?: A Guide to Citizen Preparedness are detailed survival strategies for such natural emergencies including:

* Floods

* Hurricanes

* Severe Thunderstorms

* Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

* Extreme Heat (Heat Waves), and Emergency Water Shortages

* Fire, and Wildland Fires

Also included in the book are information and tips regarding technological and man-made hazards, such as:

* Hazardous Materials Incidents, and Household Chemical Emergencies

* Nuclear Power Plants

* National Security Emergencies, Terrorism, and Chemical and Biological Emergencies

* Nuclear and Radiological Attack

* Homeland Security Advisory System

The New York State Senate recently passed legislation co-sponsored by Senator Fuschillo that would prohibit the sale of dissertations, theses and term papers.

According to Fuschillo, current New York State law bans the sale or purchase of dissertations and term papers, but does not specifically indicate that papers obtained over the Internet or other electronic media would also be covered under the ban. This legislation would remove this ambiguity and would assure that students or others providing unlawful assistance would be eligible for prosecution. Students would still be able to access information via the Internet, but selling or purchasing a term paper, thesis or dissertation would be a violation of the law including a fine of up to $1,000.

"The Internet has been an extremely valuable learning resource for students across the globe and must be used responsibly," Fuschillo said. "Through the simple click of the mouse students have access to a world of information that can help them with their class work. However, students surfing the Internet have discovered that completed assignments can be purchased with very little effort. It is my hope that this bill will discourage any temptation to engage in the irresponsible and illegal act of plagiarism."

With the summer season around the corner, Senator Fuschillo is offering a free Boater's Guide to residents. For boating veterans and newcomers alike, the New York State Boater's Guide, (published by the State of New York, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Bureau of Marine and Recreational Vehicles) offers information involving:

* Required equipment aboard vessels

* Rules of the nautical road

* Boating laws and regulations

* Trailering and launching your boat

* Proper registration

* Jet ski and waverunner operation

"Boating is an activity that everyone in the family can enjoy, but proper knowledge of safety requirements and New York State's boating laws are essential for even the most experienced boater," Fuschillo said.

For a free copy of the New York State Boater's Guide, contact Senator Fuschillo's district office at 546-4100.