Governor Cuomo has issued a state of emergency and a travel ban starting at 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 23. 

Mayor de Blasio has also issued a travel ban in New York City. The full text is included in this tweet from the Mayor

We are calling on hospitals to make appropriate arrangements for an emergency command structure, staffing, lodging, and -- when safe -- travel arrangements. Please see the full text of our snow protocol, below.

NYSNA nurses stand ready to meet this emergency with any and all appropriate measures. NYSNA needs to be fully informed so that we can assist in getting necessary information to RNs during this emergency. If you have a question about your facility's preparation, please email storm@nysna.org

NYSNA STORM PROTOCOL

Dear HR Director and/or Director of Nursing/Patient Care Services:

CALL FOR EMERGENCY WEATHER CONTINGENCY PREPARATION

Governor Cuomo has declared a state of emergency and a travel ban starting today at 2:30 PM.

NYSNA nurses stand ready to meet this emergency with any and all appropriate measures. NYSNA needs to be fully informed so that we can assist in getting necessary information to RNs during this emergency.

The need for a Centralized Command Structure is compelling and we call upon management to put in place such a structure without delay. NYSNA should be an integral part of the Command Structure. We feel strongly that there is an obligation, especially under these circumstances, to keep NYSNA informed.

We urge that lines of communication be staffed and that communication from hospital management be informed and continuous. This is key to an effective Command Structure.

Social media is an essential outreach tool to staff; we employ it and we strongly suggest that you do too. This is an effective method to stay in touch with nurses and a way many of our members have come to expect.

Please identify which authority we should contact in our respective facilities with questions and for direction during this emergency.

There are many other issues related to staff remaining at the hospital during this emergency. These issues require your immediate attention.

Please give us information regarding emergency transportation to work, pick up locations and times of pick up. These locations must be in-door. We ask that immediate consideration be given to accommodate those working tonight who are scheduled to work tomorrow night as well and live far from the hospital.

Going forward, as the snow storm and clean up will last for several days, or longer, what is of paramount importance is the need for a process of coordination of schedules. We are prepared to fill in for RNs who cannot make the commute in these weather conditions, and to help relieve those who have had to remain at the hospital because they cannot commute home, and to address other circumstances, but we need to confer and coordinate these scheduling issues, with uniformity. It is only appropriate that we receive explicit information about expectations for work, including schedules and overtime pay.

We are informing our members to keep records of time worked. Accommodations, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, should be provided. We also ask for information as to what plans are in place for sleeping/showering arrangements and any other patient support measures planned.

Your immediate attention is critical to meeting this emergency effectively. Please inform us of contact information within your management designated for this emergency.

Thank you,
NYS Nurses Association