New Course Trains Residents For Public Health Emergencies

LONG ISLAND, NY — A new, free online public health training course for New York residents was unveiled Thursday so that the next time the state faces a pandemic or other emergency, they can be ready to step up and help.

The course was created by the New York State Department of Health in partnership with Cornell University and supported by the State University of New York, and will "prepare and equip New Yorkers to become New York State citizen public health leaders and build an informed network of community health leaders across the state," a release from Cuomo's office said.

Participants will learn about COVID-19, public health emergency preparedness and response, and other public health issues, while learning about resources that will benefit their communities.

Additional information on the Citizen Public Health Training Program, including how to register, is available here. The program kicks off on April 30.

"When our state was ambushed by COVID-19, New Yorkers rose to the occasion, supported each other and worked together to stop the spread," Cuomo said. "Moving forward, it is critical that we are equipped with the tools and knowledge we need to protect ourselves, our families and our communities not just against COVID, but also against other public health emergencies that may arise in the future."

He added: "It will happen again."

The training, is an eight-session, 16 hour training program, during which those signed up can interact with experts — and, after which, participants will be certified as public health leaders and advocates ready to volunteer during an emergency.

"The best person to help you is you," Cuomo said.