Keeping Somers residents safe begins long before an emergency occurs. It requires planning, coordination, and strong partnerships among the organizations responsible for protecting our community.
Under my leadership, the Town of Somers regularly convenes its Emergency Operations Committee, bringing together representatives from the Somers Police Department, the Somers Volunteer Fire Department (including EMS), town leadership, department heads, the Somers Central School District, the Heritage Hills Emergency Preparedness Committee, Heritage Hills Security, and Open Gate Association, which recently joined the committee to represent one of Somers' newest residential communities. The committee meets throughout the year to coordinate emergency planning, strengthen communication, and ensure the town is prepared to respond effectively when emergencies occur.
The Emergency Operations Committee reviews plans for a wide range of situations, including severe weather, extended power outages, flooding, public safety incidents, infrastructure disruptions, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies that could affect our community. By working together before an emergency happens, participating agencies identify potential challenges, coordinate resources, and strengthen their ability to respond quickly and effectively when residents need assistance.
A major focus of the committee is ensuring that the Town of Somers is prepared to provide emergency shelter when needed. The Heritage Hills Community Center serves as one of the town's designated emergency shelter locations and is the town's primary emergency shelter for all Somers residents when activated. The facility is equipped to provide a safe, heated or air-conditioned location where residents may receive emergency information, charging capability for electronic devices, basic support services, and temporary shelter during extended power outages, severe weather events or other emergencies. If the Community Center is opened as an emergency shelter, residents will be notified through CodeRED and other official town communication channels.
Recognizing the importance of maintaining this critical facility during an emergency, the Town Board invested approximately $140,000 in 2022 to upgrade the Community Center's emergency generator. That investment ensures the building can continue operating during power outages, allowing essential building operations to continue while providing a safe gathering place for residents when it is needed most.
During periods of extreme heat, the town also designates cooling centers to provide residents with relief from dangerous temperatures. Cooling centers are available at the Somers Library and the Somers Nutrition Center at Van Tassell Park. Information regarding operating hours and any additional cooling center locations will be shared through CodeRED and the town's official communication channels when activated.
The committee also places special emphasis on planning for residents who may require additional assistance during emergencies, including older adults, individuals with disabilities and those who rely on electrically powered medical equipment. The committee works closely with Heritage Hills Security, the Heritage Hills Emergency Preparedness Committee, Open Gate Association, the school district, and other community partners to coordinate communications, wellness checks, transportation planning, and continuity of essential services during extended emergencies. The addition of Open Gate Association reflects the town's commitment to ensuring that every residential community has a voice in emergency planning and response coordination.
Chaired by me as the Town Supervisor, the committee also reviews the town's Emergency Operations Plan, emergency communications procedures, continuity of government operations, seasonal preparedness, and critical infrastructure protection. Participating agencies conduct regular training and emergency exercises to ensure response plans remain current and effective. When needed, Somers works closely with Westchester County, neighboring municipalities, mutual aid partners, and NYSEG to coordinate resources, share information, and support restoration and emergency response efforts.
The town maintains an active working relationship with NYSEG, allowing for direct communication with utility representatives before, during and after significant weather events and power outages. This coordination helps the town stay informed about restoration efforts, communicate local conditions and community priorities, and provide residents with timely, accurate information throughout an emergency.
Every household should maintain enough food, drinking water, medications, flashlights, batteries and other essential supplies to remain self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Residents should also keep emergency contact information readily available, have a plan for communicating with family members during an emergency, and, if they rely on electrically powered medical equipment, establish a backup plan in the event of an extended power outage.
One of the most important steps every resident can take is signing up for the town's CodeRED Emergency Notification System. CodeRED provides timely alerts regarding severe weather, power outages, road closures, public safety emergencies and other important community information. To register, visit somersny.gov, click on the Emergency Services tab, then select CodeRED. In the blue "Need an Account?" section, click Register and follow the prompts to create your account. Registration is free and helps ensure you receive important emergency information when it matters most.
Register for CodeRED to receive emergency notifications.
Keep at least a 72-hour supply of food, drinking water, prescription medications, and other essential supplies.
Keep flashlights readily available and avoid using candles whenever possible during a power outage.
Keep extra batteries, portable phone chargers and a battery-powered radio on hand.
Keep a list of important emergency contacts in an easily accessible location.
Check on family members, friends and neighbors who may need additional assistance during prolonged emergencies.
Call 911 for any police, fire or medical emergency. Heritage Hills residents may also contact Heritage Hills Security for assistance and information regarding conditions within the community.
The town also extends its appreciation to the volunteers who serve on the Emergency Preparedness Committee, along with the many first responders, town employees and community volunteers who dedicate their time to emergency planning throughout the year. Their commitment and local knowledge help strengthen the town's overall preparedness and resilience.
Just days after this meeting, the July 4 storm put many of these plans and partnerships to the test. Widespread tree damage and power outages affected neighborhoods throughout Somers, and the town's established coordination with first responders and NYSEG helped provide residents with timely information as restoration efforts progressed. The response reinforced the value of preparation, strong partnerships and clear communication before an emergency occurs.
No community can prevent every emergency, but every community can prepare for one. Through careful planning, ongoing training, investments in critical infrastructure, strong partnerships with first responders, the Somers Central School District, Heritage Hills leadership, Heritage Hills Security, Open Gate Association, NYSEG, Westchester County, and community volunteers, the Town of Somers continues to strengthen its ability to protect residents. Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and by staying informed and planning ahead, we can help keep the entire Town of Somers safe, resilient, and ready for whatever challenges may come our way.
Robert Scorrano is the Somers Town Supervisor.
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