Oswego County Clarifies the Meaning of Emergency Terms

OSWEGO COUNTY – What is a “state of emergency” and what does it mean for you? The Oswego County Emergency Management Office breaks down the terminology to create a better understanding for residents.

“Emergency conditions during the winter months or at any other time of the year can result in the use of terms by local officials and the media that may be confusing,” said Cathleen Palmitesso, director of the Oswego County Emergency Management Office. “We want to help people understand what a ‘state of emergency’ is and what it means to them.”

A “state of emergency” is declared by a chief elected official in New York State under New York State Executive Law Article 2B to raise awareness of emergency conditions and possibly help facilitate state assistance.

In Oswego County, town supervisors, village and city mayors and the chair of the Oswego County Legislature have the authority to declare a local “state of emergency” if they determine the event threatens public safety within their jurisdiction. The declaration empowers the chief elected official of the municipality to issue “Local Emergency Orders,” including suspending local laws, imposing curfews, closing roads, implementing parking bans and other measures to support the local response effort.

An “emergency declaration” also helps raise awareness for people in the jurisdiction affected.

“It signals to people in the area to exercise extreme caution and to stay informed about local conditions,” Palmitesso said. “However, the ‘emergency declaration’ itself does not restrict people’s movement, and it does not mean people cannot drive in the municipality.”

A county-wide declaration is signed by the chair of the Oswego County Legislature and publicized by the director of the Oswego County Emergency Management Office, who provides advice and assistance to the Legislature chair during emergencies. Once a “state of emergency” is declared by the county, it applies to all municipalities in the county, though individual towns, villages and cities can issue their own declarations and emergency orders.

Travel advisories issued during a “state of emergency” do not prohibit travel but instead, they caution residents about hazardous conditions.

“Advisories encourage extreme caution while traveling in the affected areas,” Palmitesso said. “Travelers should stay informed about conditions using local media, radar apps, 511NY and other resources. However, conditions can change rapidly, and you may unintentionally travel into a hazardous area. Always use common sense and defensive driving techniques, and please be patient. Traffic tie-ups can form quickly and take hours to resolve.

“We encourage residents to follow the instructions issued by their local elected officials during any emergencies,” she added. “People should have a family disaster plan, and a disaster supplies kit ready for any emergency. They should also have an emergency kit in their vehicle. The more prepared people are to handle an emergency, the easier it will be for them to manage it.”

More information on disaster preparedness is available at www.oswegocounty.com and at www.ready.gov.

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