Ulster County health department reports municipal climate/public‑health preparedness training and distributes HEPA filters to towns

Director Walter gave a briefing on a June 5 municipal leader training on climate emergency public‑health preparedness. She said approximately 18 municipal officials from towns including Kingston, Rosendale and Saugerties attended a half‑day session that featured presentations by Cornell Cooperative Extension and the American Red Cross and included tabletop flood‑response exercises. "One thing you learn when you do a tabletop is how unprepared you are," she said, summarizing participants' takeaways and the need for 30‑day municipal action plans.

The training emphasized shelter readiness (power, bed capacity, meal and mental‑health supports), how to prevent transmission of respiratory illness in congregate shelters (ventilation, HEPA cleaners and PPE), and municipal communications and recovery planning. Director Walter said the county purchased and distributed one HEPA air filter per participating municipality with grant funds and encouraged municipal leaders to contact county staff, Cornell Cooperative Extension or the Red Cross for follow‑up assistance.

Legislator Peters asked when the training would be repeated; Director Walter said the grant funded this session and the county will remain available to advise municipalities and encourage follow‑up visits and local tabletop exercises. Legislator Murray asked how a local government should define a "disaster" and who declares it; staff advised municipalities should predefine triggers and designate responsible officers so the community knows who makes operational calls during an event.

Director Walter said slides and materials will be added to the committee OneDrive for member review, and the county will continue outreach to municipalities to help implement 30‑day preparedness actions.