Harry Truong, ARC Youth Volunteer; Jeanine Pekkarinen, ARC/GNY Director Community Outreach & Preparedness; Mannes Wong, ARC Community Outreach Volunteer Presenter and Senator Frank Padavan

The American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) - Queens provided a free Ready New York emergency preparedness program, sponsored by State Senator Frank Padaan, on Sunday, January 13 at Mary's Nativity Parish Center, on Parsons Boulevard in Flushing for more than 100 participants.

Ready New York is a two-hour event dedicated to preparing individuals and families for emergencies. Attendees receive a 45-minute emergency preparedness presentation that teaches New York City residents how to create a plan, build a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe and informed during times of disaster.

In addition, residents have access emergency experts from partner agencies, including the FDNY, police department and the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Additional partner agencies in attendance on January 13 included Con Edison and the Department for the Aging (DFTA).

Participants received an interactive CD that can be used to create a customized evacuation plan and other tools that will help any family become better prepared.