On Wednesday, Oct. 22, a comprehensive group of state and local government officials convened in the Hagedorn meeting room of the Port Washington Library to discuss the creation of the Office of Emergency Management. The meeting was chaired by newly appointed Commissioner Peter A. Forman of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to discuss specific problems, which may occur in the Port Washington peninsula should a catastrophic or major disaster event occur.

Commissioner Forman began the meeting by pointing out the unique geographical features of the Port Washington peninsula, which is landlocked on three sides by bodies of water. He discussed OEM's mission, which includes planning for, response to and support of disasters and emergencies. In addition, he is working to enhance intergovernmental cooperation, promote education initiatives and mutual aid agreements. He called the new office 'an important first step in making the peninsula better positioned to marshal available information and resources to best respond to expected and unexpected challenges that might arise.'

Forman said that the goals of his office may have some limitations and emphasized the need for self-reliance by the members of the community. He suggests residents have a family emergency plan. Such planning should include an alternate place to move the family in the event of an evacuation, securing such things as roadmaps, telephone numbers and important family documents for use in an emergency. He advises families to prepare a disaster supply kit to include among other items suggested bottled water, canned foods, battery-powered radios and fire extinguishers. A complete list to assist in planning for a family emergency and a disaster supply kit can be found on the Office of Emergency Management's website.

The Office of Emergency Management encompasses the villages of Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Port Washington North, Sands Point and the Town of North Hempstead. OEM works closely with the emergency response capabilities of the town and participating villages. Commissioner Forman praised a number of civic officials who attended the meeting and has been pledged assistance by the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management.

The newly created office coordinating the emergency response on the Port Washington peninsula is located in the Port Washington Fire Department Headquarters on Port Washington Boulevard and those seeking further information or wishing to volunteer their services may do so by consulting OEM's website (info@pwoem.org).