Watkins Glen, N.Y. — State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano today reminded area residents that they can register online for a state-sponsored “Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program” that will be held at the Watkins Glen Central High School on Saturday, July 18, 2015.

O’Mara and Palmesano are sponsoring the Schuyler County program together with County Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan and Watkins Glen Mayor Sam Schimizzi.

In a joint statement, the area representatives said, “The recent flash flooding in Watkins Glen and many surrounding towns and villages in Schuyler County highlights the critical importance of citizen preparedness in the face of an unexpected natural disaster. Our entire region has been hard hit over the past several years following Hurricane Irene and other severe storms, floods and emergencies. As a result, this emergency preparedness and response initiative has been welcomed and worthwhile in many places.”

The program is free of charge, but participants must complete an online registration prior to the event.

Across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, training programs already have been held in Corning, Hornell, Horseheads, Ithaca and Penn Yan.

The state launched the Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program early last year with the goal of training 100,000 New Yorkers “to be first responders in their own homes and in their communities.” The program seeks to provide citizens with tools and resources to help them better prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.

The Saturday, July 18th Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program in Schuyler County will be held at the Watkins Glen Central High School (301 12th Street), beginning at 10 a.m.

The two-hour session is free of charge and participants will receive a NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit containing items that emergency response experts believe are critical to have handy in the immediate aftermath of any disaster or emergency.

For additional information and to register online for the July 18th event, visit http://prepare.ny.gov/training-events.