Be Ready New York | Enhanced Emergency Preparedness – NYCEM

By GovPrepare News Desk – November 16, 2025

Standfirst: The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) has updated and relaunched its “Be Ready New York” initiative, aimed at strengthening citywide emergency preparedness in the face of climate risks, terrorism, and other unforeseen threats. This proactive approach affects all residents, businesses, and local agencies in the five boroughs.

Key Highlights

• NYCEM relaunches “Be Ready New York” with updated guides and public awareness campaigns
• Enhances focus on climate change, terrorism, pandemic response, and cybersecurity threats
• Community training workshops and digital toolkit introduced citywide
• Program aligns with FEMA’s National Preparedness Goals and ISO 22301 standards
• Inclusive focus on vulnerable populations including seniors, non-English speakers, and the mobility-impaired
• City allocates $12 million to preparedness outreach and training across the five boroughs

Background and Context

Emergency preparedness in New York City has evolved significantly since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. These events revealed substantial gaps in the city’s ability to anticipate and respond to crises. The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM), established in 1996, leads the city’s response planning, coordinating with over 40 agencies.

The original “Be Ready New York” campaign was launched in 2006 as a public education program to raise awareness about emergency action plans, first-aid readiness, and the importance of go-bags and evacuation routes. NYCEM’s updated 2025 iteration incorporates learnings from COVID-19, recent flash flooding events, and the growing threat of climate-driven emergencies.

The New Development

On November 15, 2025, NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol announced the relaunch of the “Be Ready New York” initiative during a press briefing at the Office of Emergency Management headquarters in Brooklyn. The updated campaign includes revised multimedia guides, a multilingual digital outreach strategy, and neighborhood-level training workshops targeting all five boroughs.

The 2025 update reflects a broader scope of preparedness, including:

• Training kits for households and businesses in hazard-prone zones
• New emergency planning tools compatible with mobile devices
• Virtual preparedness sessions hosted monthly in multiple languages
• Collaborations with schools and community organizations for resilience-building activities

The city also announced a $12 million budget allocation over the next two fiscal years to support these initiatives. Funding will enhance public engagement, print and digital material production, and data-sharing partnerships with the private sector. Public-private coordination is now a core element, particularly for cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience initiatives.

Commissioner Iscol emphasized, “Preparedness is not just about responding – it’s about anticipating. This campaign empowers all New Yorkers to take meaningful action before an emergency strikes.”

Expert and Industry Reaction

Experts across public health, infrastructure, and public policy welcomed the update. Dr. Anne Tribeca of the New York Disaster Research Institute stated, “This refresh is timely given the increasing risk of compound emergencies – such as flooding during a pandemic. Holistic preparedness is essential.”

The Citizens Emergency Preparedness Center praised the multilingual strategy, noting that nearly 50% of NYC residents speak a language other than English at home. “Accessibility is a cornerstone of equitable preparedness,” said Executive Director Raul Santiago.

Meanwhile, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) acknowledged the initiative’s utility for property managers and co-ops. According to a statement, “Emergency readiness is a shared responsibility, and we are pleased the city is investing in tools our members can use to protect tenants and assets.”

Alignment with Global or National Standards

“Be Ready New York” is aligned with:

• FEMA’s Whole Community Approach – focusing on inclusive planning across family, business, and government units
• United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) – emphasizing disaster risk awareness and strengthening disaster governance at all levels
• ISO 22301: International standard for Business Continuity Management Systems
• CDC and WHO Preparedness Guidance – relevant for public health crises and infectious outbreaks

By adhering to these frameworks, NYCEM ensures that its plans remain legally compliant and globally interoperable, which is critical for collaboration with federal agencies and international partners during complex emergencies.

Impact on Stakeholders

For Citizens: Residents will gain increased access to informational resources through new platforms, including interactive preparedness maps, community bulletin updates via Notify NYC, and training events near them. Vulnerable populations and non-English-speaking citizens will benefit from specifically tailored guidance.

For Businesses: The toolkit and digital updates offer business continuity frameworks that align with OSHA and ISO norms, allowing businesses to anticipate disruptions and protect employees and assets. Guidelines for mass communication, supply shelf stocking, remote work continuity, and utility outages are included.

For Government Agencies: Interagency interoperability will be improved through a central dashboard for situational reporting and resource exchange. Local agencies such as Departments of Health, Environmental Protection, and Transportation will co-host live drills and tabletop exercises every quarter under the new protocols.

Official Guidance

• NYC Emergency Management – Official Site
• FEMA – Ready.gov
• ISO 22301 Business Continuity Standard
• UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
• CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Conclusion

The 2025 relaunch of “Be Ready New York” underscores the city’s commitment to resilience in the face of evolving threats. With community partnerships, inclusive outreach, and alignment with global standards, the campaign lays the groundwork for a more informed and prepared public. Follow-up updates regarding local training events, program efficacy, and citywide participation rates are expected in subsequent quarterly NYCEM briefings.

Residents, businesses, and civic bodies are encouraged to visit NYCEM’s official portal to download toolkits, register for training, and subscribe to real-time emergency alerts via Notify NYC.

Excerpt (Meta Description): NYC Emergency Management updates and relaunches “Be Ready New York” to strengthen readiness for climate, health, and security emergencies across all five boroughs.

Tags: NYC emergency preparedness, Be Ready New York, NYCEM, disaster response, community resilience, business continuity, ISO 22301, FEMA, Notify NYC, public safety, homeland security, climate risk management