On September 19, 2022, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, five years to the day of Hurricane Maria. Four days after, Mayor Eric Adams sent a multiagency team of New York City employees to assess the island’s needs after the hurricane. The team was comprised of employees from the New York City Emergency Management Department, New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Department of Design and Construction, New York City Police Department, and  New York City Parks Department. Over the two-week deployment, team members visited over 47 municipalities and gathered information on structural damage to public and private buildings, roads, parks and other vulnerable facilities. 

On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk’, team member Jason Rolon, deputy director of construction safety and engineering with the Department of Buildings, discussed the differences in the inspections after the earthquakes in Puerto Rico in 2020 and the damages from Hurricane Fiona. Jose Torres, a climber, pruner and crew chief also with NYC Parks Department shared the potential dangers from uprooted trees after the hurricane, in addition to their impact to overhead electrical cables, roadways and critical infrastructure.

Deploying to Puerto Rico in the Aftermath of Hurricane Fiona

Women's History Month

On this episode of “Prep Talk” Camille Joseph Varlack, chief of staff to the Mayor of New York City, shares her story about what inspired her to pursue a career in law, challenges women still face in the workplace, and what she hopes to accomplish in her current role. Varlack also discusses what led her to a career in public service and why she eventually started her own law practice. Throughout her career she has overseen the City and State’s response to various emergencies and talks about which disaster was the most difficult to navigate, as well as the most rewarding thing about assisting New Yorkers during emergencies.

Women's History Month with Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack

National Volunteer Month

On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk’, Cari Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, discusses the dangers of extreme heat during the summer months. Ms. Olson shared what precautions New Yorkers should take to beat the heat, and how the city responds to heat emergencies.

“My team is responsible for building a foundation of environmental health data and research, that is then used to improve the health of all New Yorkers,” said Cari Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “For example, we track the health impacts of heat and who is most vulnerable. The triggers for a heat emergency issued by the National Weather Service and Emergency Management are based on data we compiled. As we began collecting data we observed that, once the heat index hits 95 or above, and that is a combination of heat and humidity, there was an exponential increase in deaths from heat in our vulnerable communities.”

To prevent heat illness and learn more ways to beat the heat, visit NYC Emergency Management’s Beat the Heat website at NYC.gov/beattheheat, or DOHMH’s Extreme Heat and Your Health page at nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-heat.page.

Beat the Heat with Health Tips from the NYC Department of Health

In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, the latest episode of New York City Emergency Management’s Spanish podcast ¡Prepárate!, features Ernesto Morales, alerts coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s San Juan, Puerto Rico office. As part of the National Weather Service team in Puerto Rico, Morales coordinates messages before and during weather events impacting the island. On the heels of the one-year anniversary since Hurricane Fiona, Morales stresses that being prepared can save lives and help with response operations by emergency responders.

Episodio 18: Ernesto Morales From NOAA Discusses the Importance of Messaging Before Emergencies

First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell and Director of Individual Preparedness Abby Banks discuss the Ready NY and CERT programs for the 20th anniversary.

Prep Talk - 20th Anniversary of Ready NY and CERT

NYC Emergency Management's latest episode of ¡PREPÁRATE! talks with Commissioner Manuel Castro from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the agency's role in serving immigrant communities of new York.

Preparate Episosde 19 Castro MOIA

Un episodio especial dedicado al Mes del Voluntariado, con la participación del estimado invitado Matt Lyttle, Director del Segmento de Defensa y Seguridad en Guidehouse, una firma consultora de gestión global. La copresentadora Yokarina Duarte conversa con Lyttle sobre su experiencia como voluntario del Cuerpo de Paz en Nicaragua, lo cual lo preparó para una carrera dedicada a la resiliencia comunitaria ante desastres en Estados Unidos y América Latina. Los oyentes aprenderán cómo ellos también pueden ser voluntarios para ayudar a sus comunidades a prepararse y responder ante desastres, y el impacto significativo que pueden tener como voluntarios.

El voluntariado y Cuerpo de Paz con Matt Lyttle

On this episode of ¡Prepárate!, NYCEM Chief of Staff Yokarina Duarte and Community Engagement Specialist Emely Rodriguez sit down with NYPD Chief of Staff Raul Pintos to discuss his remarkable career at the NYPD, the importance of Hispanic leader, and some of the latest NYPD initiatives aimed at keeping the city safe. Pintos, who has dedicated over three decades to the NYPD, shares invaluable insights and advice for young people, particularly those considering a career in law enforcement. This episode offers a rare opportunity to learn from some of the most influential Hispanic leaders in New York City's public safety landscape.

Deploying to Puerto Rico in the Aftermath of Hurricane Fiona

NYC Emergency Management

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