Plainview & Hicksville WD Commissioners Among Water Commissioners to Review Hurricane Preparedness at NSWCA Meeting

September 27, 2017; Plainivew, NY/Hicksville, NY – Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader, who is Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) President, and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann, who is NSWCA Secretary, were among water commissioners representing 21 water districts across Long Island to recently receive a special address on hurricane preparedness from Town Of Oyster Bay Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Leonard Symons during a meeting held by NSWCA, where Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino was also present.

During the fact-filled informative meeting sponsored by the Roslyn Water District Commissioners Michael Kosinski, William Costigan, and Dr. Sanford Klein, Mr. Symons discussed tropical depressions, and hurricanes, clarified the nature of meteorological advisories, watches and warnings while speaking of probabilistic Hurricane Storm Surge effects on Long Island water districts.

“The one thing that is certain in forecasting such storms is uncertainty. Hurricanes and tropical storms are feared for their winds, but 90% of all fatalities are from water. Unfortunately, social media is changing things and tends to make everyone think that they are meteorologists. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

As guest speaker, Mr. Symons presented scientific data such as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and diffused many myths, including what he termed ‘Hurricane Hype’. He stressed, “With hurricanes and tropical storms, complacency presents the greatest danger of all. Therefore education of the public, water commissioners and emergency responders is vital. You can’t expect the public to prepare properly if they don’t understand what to do.”

During Mr. Symons’ presentation, he emphasized an educational four-part common sense approach to being ready for hurricane season:

• Prepare and build an emergency kit;
• Know if, when and where to evacuate;
• Know what to do when a hurricane hits;
• Know what to do in the aftermath of a hurricane

“It was enlightening to have Mr. Symons address the commissioners with such an interesting fact-filled presentation,” remarked Commissioner Bader. “We continue to learn from and take these educational lessons to heart, which is why even in the worst part of Superstorm Sandy, no commissioner-run water district failed to deliver water.”

For further information:

• Agency Contact: Mr. Jamie Stanco, Progressive Marketing Group, Inc., phone: 631-756-7160, email: jpstanco@pmgstrategic.com.
• NSWCA Contact: NSWCA President Mr. Andrew N. Bader, email: abader@plainviewater.org

Organized and chartered in 1981, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. The NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues.

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PHOTO CAPTION:
Pictured from left to right during a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting where Town Of Oyster Bay Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Leonard Symons addressed Long Island water commissioners about hurricane preparedness are: NSWCA Treasurer and West Hempstead Water District Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino, NSWCA Guest Speaker Town Of Oyster Bay Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Leonard Symons, NSWCA 2nd Vice President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner Michael F. Rich, III, and NSWCA Secretary and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann.