MAYOR ADAMS, NYCEM DEPLOY EMERGENCY MANAGERS IN WAKE OF HURRICANE FIONA

 

 

Initial Team Arrived in Puerto Rico Tuesday, Larger Multi-Agency Team Deploying This Week to Include Members of New York City Emergency Response Agencies 

  

New York City Stands Ready to Assist Dominican Republic, Other Affected Countries, as Damage Is Assessed 

As Hurricane Fiona leaves the Caribbean, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that an additional team of New York City employees will deploy to Puerto Rico and assist officials already there as they survey the damage caused by the hurricane. The team will join representatives from the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA), the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), and other emergency responders to assess damages to infrastructure and essential services caused by the heavy rains, floods, and wind. The team will include representatives from New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), New York City Department of Buildings, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the New York City Department of Design and Construction. NYCEM continues to monitor the situation in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries, and the city stands ready to provide additional aid to those affected countries.  

  

“Once again, our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean countries are facing darkness because of a devastating hurricane. With Hurricane Fiona leaving the region, we know that this is a painful moment for so many here in our city and across the globe,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City stands with our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and all affected countries. A first group of emergency responders are already on the ground, ready to respond and assess the needs, and we are ready, willing, and able to send additional assistance needed to those impacted by this devastating storm. I want to thank all the staff at NYCEM, and all our first responders, for their work aiding all those affected.”  

 

“New Yorkers will always rise to the occasion to help those in need,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “As home to some of the finest emergency responders in the world, we are proud to lend our resources, expertise, and support to the Hurricane Fiona recovery effort.”

 

“Our city has strong ties to the people of Puerto Rico and we are proud to answer this call beyond the five boroughs to assist them,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Rebuilding is daunting. It requires a strong commitment and collaboration with other agencies, governments, and private sector partners. As we have in the past, our team is dedicated to this work and will be with the people of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other countries in the days ahead.” 

 

“New York, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic share deep ties and the common experience of facing stronger and more frequent coastal storms brought on by the climate crisis,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, executive director, Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. “We are ready to support this multi-agency effort to assist the people of the Caribbean as they embark on the challenging journey of rebuilding and strengthening infrastructure, services, and whole communities to make them more resilient.”

 

The city encourages people to make donations through trusted nonprofits. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City has created a webpage, which directs those interested in donating to those affected by Hurricane Fiona to some trusted nonprofits. 

 

Yesterday, a team of emergency management specialists deployed to Puerto Rico to assess the damage and needs of Puerto Ricans. In coordination with FEMA and PREMA representatives, this team is connecting with San Juan, as well as smaller localities to understand the needs and how New York City can help. A larger multi-agency team of 11 specialists and first responders is deploying to Puerto Rico later this week to support ongoing relief efforts and operations, including helping to rebuild connectivity for smaller municipalities and removing downed trees. The city continues to monitor the ongoing situation in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and all affected countries for further support it can provide. 

 

“The devastation in Puerto Rico has brought back far too many memories of the destruction that Hurricane Maria left five years ago,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez. “In times like this, we must stand together and support our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico during their time of need. I am extremely grateful to the mayor’s swift response to provide aid and support to ensure the resources are delivered to the hands of the people. We must ensure that we are not letting history repeat itself and that we are proactive by providing immediate support. Puerto Rico is part of the United States and must be treated as such.”