Governor Lauds Rescue Workers and Volunteers
Continues to Urge Blood Dona

"I want to thank New Yorkers throughout the State for their outpouring of assistance in this time of tremendous need," Governor Pataki said. "In the face of extraordinary adversity, New Yorkers are again pulling together in a remarkable display of resiliency and determination.

"Hundreds of men and women from State agencies have toiled throughout the night to move personnel and equipment to New York City and the surrounding area to help expedite the recovery efforts," the Governor said. "We will continue to do everything possible to help our friends and neighbors recover from this horrific event."

Approximately 1,500 National Guard troops are in New York City today with another 1,500 staged and ready for deployment just north of the City. Another 2,000 troops are being mobilized upstate for deployment. The Guard has 117 pieces of engineering equipment ready for deployment in the massive effort.

Overnight, 200 State Troopers were deployed along the 14th Street perimeter in New York City and are working with the New York City Police Department. An additional 300 troopers are due in the City today, along with 427 officers from Nassau and Suffolk counties and a contingent of military police from the National Guard, bringing the total to more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel.

Additionally, the State Police have developed an inventory of police departments from across the State from which personnel can be deployed to assist in the effort as needed. State Police have been conducting escorts for medical and National Guard personnel, as well as coordinating security efforts and traffic control. State Police bomb dogs have been in the City since Tuesday and 18 search-and-rescue dogs, eight from the State Police and 10 from the Connecticut State Police are also in the City.

Following a conversation yesterday between Governor Pataki and Puerto Rico Governor Sila Maria Calderone, a 25-person K9 urban search and rescue team has been dispatched from Puerto Rico and is expected to arrive in New York later in the day. At the request of the New York City Police Department, 11 State Police scuba divers are positioned in the City. Two State Police medivac helicopters are also pre-positioned with the aviation unit of the NYPD, and the State Police aviation unit has been flying shipments of medical supplies into the City since yesterday.

The Governor said the response from the medical professions to yesterday's request for assistance has been tremendous. Since yesterday afternoon, the State has received more than 2,400 calls and the Hospital Association of New York State has received 7,200 calls offering assistance.

"We now have a huge list of professionals from which to draw for assistance," the Governor said. "I want to thank each and every person who has called to volunteer their services. Due to the extremely large volume of calls, we are now asking everyone to refrain from calling the medical assistance numbers until further notice."

All persons wishing to volunteer other types of assistance should call the State hotline number: 1-800-801-8092.

"All across the State, New Yorkers are stepping forward to donate blood," the Governor said. "Again, New Yorkers have shown the true spirit of the Empire State and I encourage them to continue donating the vitally needed blood at their local donation center."

At the Governor's request, President Bush last night declared a major federal disaster for New York City, which will result in the release of assistance and resources in response to the attack on the World Trade Center. Four federal urban search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the City, including the federal robotics team from Littleton, Colorado, with five pieces of robotics equipment. Three additional federal teams are staged for deployment and another is en route from Indiana.

Additionally, a disaster mortuary team is staged and ready to be deployed into the City, one federal medical assistance team is already in the City, and three other teams are staged and ready for deployment.

Other State agency activities overnight included:

Department of Transportation: 27 staff and 40 pieces of equipment are deployed in the City, with another 38 staff and 36 pieces of equipment staged and ready to be deployed to the City. DOT also has been transporting generators from the State Emergency Equipment Stockpiles in Queensbury (Warren County) and Newark (Wayne County) to a staging area at Stewart Airport in Newburgh. The Department has also provided New York City DOT with a list of contractors that have light sets available.

State Emergency Management Office: The State Emergency Operations Center is fully activated and staff is assigned on 12-hour shifts. SEMO staff has been deployed to New York City.

Agriculture and Markets: Coordinated with DOT regarding refrigerator trucks which are staged at Stewart Airport.

Civil Air Patrol: Served 200 box meals and provided 8 light sets; has 30 aircraft available on standby.

Department of Corrections : 30 vehicles are staged on Long Island if needed.

Department of Environmental Conservation: Conducted air sam pling. Advise that no chemical or biological agents were used in the attack. DEC also is working with New York City Sanitation Department to remove and dispose of debris.

Emergency Medical Services: The NYS Department of Health has coordinated the effort to stage 90 ambulances at Shea Stadium. Another 150 ambulances are on standby. 500 doctors and nurses are on a standby list from across the state.

Department of Health: 12-hour push packs will be arriving at Randall Island. Assisted in staging personnel and equipment at Stewart.

Division of Housing and Community Renewal: 500 units have been identified to provide shelter if needed.

Office of Fire Prevention and Control: All staff are mobilized. Mutual aid has been fully implemented across the state.

Office of General Services and Labor Department are coordinating requests and collection of specially needed equipment.

American Red Cross: Twelve shelters are open in the city with 200 persons being sheltered. The Red Cross is also moving blood to the city. Donations of Blood Type O and O-negative are needed.

Salvation Army: Mobile Units and feeding unit are available

Public Service Commission: In the Manhattan area there are 5 networks without power. The gas system in a 30-block area is being isolated. 200,000 telephone lines are impacted.

New York State Thruway is restricting diesel fuel purchases, except for emergency vehicles.