For Immediate Release
July 28, 2022
Contact: Press.Office@Suffolkcountyny.gov
Visitors are Encouraged to Enroll by Texting SuffolkAlerts to 67283
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services announced the launch of a new Stay Awhile, Stay Informed initiative that encourages tourists who are vacationing on Fire Island to receive local emergency notifications on their mobile devices during their stay. Visitors who are interested in receiving alerts are advised to text SuffolkAlerts to 67283.
“Suffolk County is home to wonderful destinations, such as world-class beaches, and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each summer,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Fire Island in particular is a wonderful destination for so many visitors because of its various amenities. However, even away from home, it is important for our guests to be prepared in the event of an emerging threat. By staying informed, both our Fire Island residents and guests would be able to calmly be aware of their surroundings and take the appropriate actions under the guidance of local authorities and first responders.”
“The safety and security of our County’s residents and visitors is our agency’s highest priority,” said Suffolk County FRES Commissioner Patrick Beckley. “Suffolk County Fire Rescue is committed to providing real-time information to those who are in our region, including those enrolled in the SuffolkAlerts program. The intention of this program is to further prepare those who are on Fire Island in the event of an incoming severe weather event or natural disaster while building continuity and trust with our local communities.”
The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management and County leaders created the Stay Awhile, Stay Informed concept at the conclusion of the 2021 summer season after consulting with Fire Island community leaders and tourists and as part of an after-action review of the County’s response to the forecasted weather and voluntary evacuation of Hurricane Henri in August 2021.
The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services is working with Fire Island community leaders and the various ferry companies that service the barrier island to provide marketing materials and information related to Stay Awhile, Stay Informed and general emergency preparedness information on the vessels and throughout the island.
Visitors who are not Suffolk County residents can unsubscribe at the conclusion of their stay. To date, more than 50,000 residents subscribe to SuffolkAlerts, which has been used to notify members of emergency preparedness measures related to severe weather, public safety threats, public health information, available resources and more.
The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) is committed to serving both the 1.5 million residents of Suffolk County and the more than 11,000 emergency responders who are dedicated to saving lives and protecting property.
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