Repaving Project; Emergency Safety Issues: Mayor's Column

From Mayor Ron Belmont

October is Fire Protection Month and I would like to take this time to remind residents of the following important fire safety tips: Test your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year; If you hear a fire alarm or smell smoke, exit the building immediately and do not return to retrieve valuables; If approaching a closed door, test the door before you open it as flames could be on the other side; If a room is smoke-filled, crawl to safety on your hands and knees below the smoke-line; If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop to the floor and roll; Develop a family escape plan and review it twice a year making sure that windows and doors can easily be opened; Choose a family meeting place that is safely away from your home.

The weekend repaving project of the Harrison commuter lot is still underway and I expect it to be completed very soon. This upgrade is being conducted in an effort to improve pedestrian and vehicle flow. I thank you for your patience and appreciate your cooperation as we work to improve our municipal infrastructure.

As a reminder, police officers and EMS responders frequently rush to emergencies and sometimes have a hard time finding the right address. Please make sure your house number is clearly marked for emergency personnel. Every second counts and valuable time can be lost if a house number is not clearly posted.

On a related note, the Purchase Fire Department inspection and dinner was held last week and I am happy to report that the condition of the Department’s equipment is outstanding. The entire Department should be applauded for their hard work and commitment. It was truly a memorable evening and an honor to be included.

Law enforcement and other first responders frequently have contact with residents who have communication, cognitive and physical needs that make providing services to them more difficult. Emergency situations often create high anxiety, excitement and physical demands that may exacerbate these pre-existing conditions. In an effort to preemptively address these needs, the Harrison Police Department assists our residents, with special needs, by accepting “Special Needs Registry” forms. Special needs can include, but are not limited to, elderly, dementia, Alzheimer's, autistic, or any other cognitive or physical condition which may require specific attention or assistance in an emergency. HPD officers are compiling a database which will provide first responders with the information they need to help a special needs resident who is without their caregiver, who may have wandered from home or who otherwise is in need of assistance.

As officers come in contact with special needs residents, caregivers should be asked to voluntarily fill out a "Special Needs Registry" form which is available on the Town of Harrison website (harrison-ny.gov).

This form will provide the officers with vital information to ensure the special needs resident is properly cared for in an emergency situation. Information in the registry will be held in strict confidence.

The Harrison Public Library is partnering with the Jewish Community Center of Harrison (JCC) to bring you another exciting "Meet the Authors" event featuring local and bestselling writers. The event will take place on October 27 th from 12 noon to 5:30 PM at the JCC and the authors who will be appearing are as follows: Mary Calvi (Dear George, Dear Mary), John Burnham Schwartz (The Red Daughter), Lisa Grunwald (Time After Time), Mariah Fredericks (Death of a New American), Andrea Rothman (The DNA of You and Me), Todd Strasser (Summer of '69), Julie Satow (The Plaza: The Secret Life of America's Most Famous Hotel), Boris Fishman (Savage Feast: Three Generations, Two Continents, and Dinner Table (A Memoir with Recipes) and Donna Moriarty (Not Just Words: How a Good Apology Makes You Braver, Bolder, And Better At Life).

The Library will be raffling books throughout the day, and the Village Bookstore of Pleasantville will be on site for anyone who wishes to purchase books to have signed by the authors. Light refreshments will be served. For scheduling information and to register for this event, please visit the library at www.harrisonpl.org .