NYCAMH Provides Disaster Relief Services For Farms
Cooperstown, N.Y. - In an effort to help local farm families struggling with the damage and devastation caused by tropical storm Irene, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) is working with Farm Bureau, Cornell’s Farm Net and the NYS Dept. of Health to provide a variety of urgently needed services and materials. These services will be provided free of charge to the farm community.
Services include:
• Mental health counseling
• Financial counseling, in conjunction with Farm Net
• Packets of information on how to deal with common flood issues and where to apply for aid
• Personal protective equipment, including n95 Masks, Nitril Gloves, hearing and vision protection for crews involved in farm clean up
• Fitting and information on how to appropriately use personal protective equipment
• Farm safety audits to assess the situation and provide guidance on solutions
• Assistance with photo documentation of farm and crop damage to facilitate reimbursement
• Tetanus shots for farm clean-up crews
• Alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Information and advice regarding special hazards and specific risks including barn fires due to wet and molding hay.
• Services to responders (fire fighters) including information on risks, provision of appropriate protective equipment and health screening services.
• Health screening services to the farm community as needed
Farmers interested in any of these services should contact NYCAMH offices at 1-800-343-7527 and ask for Julie Sorensen.
About NYCAMH/NEC
The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, a program of Bassett Healthcare Network, is designated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as the Northeast Center for Agricultural Health (NEC), one of seven agricultural centers across the country. Serving an eleven-state region from Maine through West Virginia, NEC promotes farm health and safety research, education, and prevention activities. In partnership with other NIOSH centers, state and federal agencies, land grant universities, medical centers, and farm groups, NYCAMH/NEC uses injury and illness research findings to develop preventive teaching, educational health screening, demonstrations, and activities. Learn more at www.nycamh.com.
