FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, December 26, 2012

County Executive: Albany County Ready for Storm

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the county is fully prepared for the bad weather forecast for the region for tonight and tomorrow. It is estimated that the noreaster could bring as much as 10 inches of snow between this evening and tomorrows morning commute. The County Executive has met with his staff and commissioners to make sure that county government will be able to mitigate any possible impact the weather may have. I am confident that Albany County is fully prepared for the bad weather heading our way, County Executive McCoy said. I have been briefed by the DPW and Department for Aging on what they are doing to get ready for the storm. Despite the fact that it is a holiday week, we are fully staffed and prepared. Our DPW has been ready since November first. Two county agencies in particular have briefed the County Executive on preparations for the bad weather. The Albany County Office for the Aging has contacted providers of home delivered meals to ensure that clients have enough meals in advance. The county is also working with the County Sheriffs office and National Grid to identify those seniors who require electric service for medically necessary equipment. Should a power outage occur, the Sheriffs department will respond and provide assistance to those who need it. Home delivered meal clients are provided a copy of the Sheriff's special needs registry application and information on how the program works. Those clients who rely on oxygen and those dependent on electricity are encouraged fill out the application so that the Sheriffs department can provide immediate assistance in time of an emergency. County home delivered meals staff know all of the clients very well and can contact them to make sure they have extra

meals and had a local emergency contact person who could provide assistance. In addition, county officials contacted all other clients regarding their preparedness - emergency contacts, extra meals and water. The countys Department of Public Works is fully prepared to keep the roads in Albany County clear and will be fully staffed through the duration of the storm. The county is responsible for 405 miles of roads. This includes large portions of the southern parts of the county and part of the towns of Guilderland, New Scotland and Coeymans. Should the need arise, the DPW will call drivers in to assist in the effort. ###

Mary Rozak Director of Communications Office of the Albany County Executive 112 State Street, Room 200 Albany, NY 12207 tel 518.447.7040 ext. 7218 cell 518.368.9528 fax 518.447.5589 mary.rozak@albanycounty.com www.albanycounty.com