September 29, 2021 — As the city continues to face a range of concurrent disasters, from severe weather to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to take the time to make and review our emergency plans. This includes preparing our pets and service animals for disasters. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” NYC Emergency Management’s Andrew Perlman — the animal planning & disability, access & functional needs operations program manager in the human services unit —  shares ways we all can make sure our pets and service animals are ready for emergencies. He also highlights the work of the City’s Animal Planning Task Force, which puts forth several initiatives to make sure New York City’s pets and service animals are safe and prepared no matter what (or when) disasters strike. Initiatives put forth by the Animal Planning Task Force have included the COVID-19 Pet Hotline, a cooling center partnership with Petco during periods of extreme heat, and more. 

 

“The best way people can make sure their pets and service animals are safe when emergencies and disasters strikes is to make a plan,” said Perlman, the animal planning & disability, access & functional needs operations program manager at NYC Emergency Management. “The challenges New Yorkers face are many, and often complicated. The [City’s] Animal Planning Task Force is a partnership NYC Emergency Management has with nonprofit animal welfare groups and City agencies, all unified under the same mission of addressing the issues of people, their pets, and service animals when planning for and responding to emergencies and disasters. Over the past year-and-a-half, the task force responded to numerous disasters that affected a large number of New Yorkers, including their pets and service animals.” 

 

You can listen to the latest episode on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spreaker. 

 

Profile  

 

Andrew Perlman joined NYC Emergency Management in 2016, and serves as the animal planning & disability, access & functional needs operations program manager in the human services unit. As an operations liaison, he responds to large-scale incidents, coordinating operations and information between New York City's Emergency Operations Center and field response personnel. Perlman also works with agency partners to assist individuals with disabilities and access or functional needs and their service providers. Perlman chairs New York City’s Animal Planning Task Force, a group of City agencies and animal welfare organizations that plan for the needs of companion and service animals during emergencies and disasters. Prior to joining NYC Emergency Management, he was a career firefighter in Montgomery County, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. 

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