Governor Robert Bentley on Monday announced that a team from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency is now in New York assisting with the ongoing recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

The nine-person Incident Management Team is beginning a 14-day mission supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  Team members were sent because of their experience in disaster response, including hurricane-specific recovery operations.  The team also has experience with the National Incident Management System.

“The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has the skills and experience needed to help communities recover,” Governor Bentley said.  “The team that is now in New York will make a tremendous and lasting impact.  Their work will be a benefit to everyone involved in the long-term recovery.  Alabama stands ready to help other states in any way we can.”

The Alabama EMA team will be initially deployed to the Joint Field Office in Queens, NY.&nbs

Even though Hurricane Sandy is not forecasted to effect Alabama, the American Red Cross encourages Alabama residents to download its Hurricane App, create or update their family disaster plan, and restock their emergency preparedness kits. Also, our staff and volunteers are monitoring the progress of this and other storm systems and if need be, we are on standby to deploy trained Red Cross volunteers to help in other areas of the country.

The American Red Cross Hurricane App puts lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in or who visit hurricane prone areas. This free app—available in English or Spanish—is for use on both iPhone and Android platforms. It gives users instant access to local and real time information on what to do before, during and after hurricanes.

The risk for injuries associated with generators and chain saws increases after natural disasters such as hurricanes. If misused, both of these products can lead to injuries and even deaths, the Alabama Department of Public Health cautions.

Power outages that follow storms prompt people to use generators which produce carbon monoxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms and ultimately lead to coma and death. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas that is produced by all fossil fuel burning appliances and automobiles. Exposure to carbon monoxide is responsible for more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent.

Follow these recommendations for the safe use of generators:

• Have a carbon monoxide monitor with fresh batteries in it and place it in the residence high on the wall.