Levittown, NY - July 30, 2015 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined today by Legislator Dennis Dunne and the Superintendent of Island Trees School District Dr. Charles Murphy in announcing plans to create an emergency shelter for families of first responders at Island Trees High School in Levittown.

County Executive Mangano stated, “The creation of this emergency shelter provides our first responders with peace of mind that loved ones are safe and secure while they protect impacted communities during tropical or winter storms, or other life threatening events. I thank County Legislator Dennis Dunne, the Island Trees Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Charles Murphy for their enthusiastic cooperation in making this much needed shelter plan a reality.”

The agreement between Nassau County and the Island Trees School District will enable families of first responders to be located at a safe central location during a declared emergency. This shelter only becomes operational once there is a declared emergency necessitating residential evacuations. Island Trees High School is an ideal shelter location as it is located in central Nassau County, away from vulnerable shorelines with excellent access to main roads and major thoroughfares.

“Island Trees is the perfect home for this emergency shelter,” said Legislator Dunne. “Its’ central Nassau location allows our hardworking policemen, firemen, AMTs and CERT volunteers the ability to do their jobs knowing that their families are safe and close by.”

The 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season began on June 1st, with a peak season from mid-August to late October. Nassau County residents know all too well the threats posed by Hurricane Season. Now is the time to prepare. Many resources are available for residents, including the free NassauNow mobile app for smartphones and tablets. Nassau County reminds residents to:

• Create and/or update your Family Emergency Plan.
• Develop a Family & Friends Sheltering Plan in the event they are asked to evacuate their home.
• Familiarize yourself with Evacuation Routes from Coastal Evacuation Areas.
• Assemble an Emergency Go-Kit, keep it by their front door in a duffel bag and include enough supplies for everyone in the household for 5 days.
• Safeguard your pets by preparing a Pet Go-Kit.

For more information, please visit the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) here.