Over the past few months, we have seen images of destruction from  Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, and the tragic shooting in Las Vegas. They are pictures we won’t soon forget and after each one, we heard about the many heroes, people who knew what to do and did it, all the while putting their lives on the line.

What if you found yourself and/or your family in the midst of a disaster? Would you know the best place to go, who to contact in the community, or where to get reliable information? Here's how you can educate yourself and help out your family and friends.

It's the New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps training and since 2014, the Citizen Preparedness Corps, have been helping New York residents by giving them the tools and resources needed to prepare for any type of disaster. By taking this training, you will know the best way to respond and how to recover as quickly as possible. The New York National Guard, working with experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control, lead the trainings.

There are two training sessions planned for Thursday, October 26, in Dutchess County. The first is at noon at the Poughkeepsie Senior Center, 14 Abes Way in Poughkeepsie and the second is set for 7 pm at  the Stanford Town Hall, 26 Town Hall Road in Stanfordville. You’ll learn about responding to a natural or man-made disaster, how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies.

Each family participating will receive a free Citizen Preparedness Corps Response Starter Kit, to assist in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. By taking this training, you'll not only be able to keep yourself safe, but also protect your family and help your neighbors and your community as well.

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