PRESS RELEASE

Dated: March 23, 2020

2:00PM

Massena Mayor Timmy J. Currier ordered the Massena Emergency Operations

Center (EOC) to open at 11:00 A.M. today.

The purpose of the EOC is to facilitate and coordinate the community’s response to the COVID-
19 crisis. The EOC will operate Monday through Friday from 11:00AM-3:00PM with the hours
subject to change.

Chief Adam J. Love is serving as the EOC Manager and has assembled a management team
comprised of representatives of the Village & Town of Massena, public safety officials and other
vital agencies and representatives.

Today at 10:00AM, the first Massena EOC Agencies and partners meeting was held via zoom (on-
line) with Massena Police Chief Adam J. Love chairing.

The overarching themes that emerged from this meeting are: Stay Calm; Stay Home; Stop the
Spread; Save Lives

Stay Calm - the opening of the EOC should not cause concern, it
should reassure citizens that local officials are working with federal, state and
regional authorities to ensure an effective and coordinated response.
Stay Home - Although the virus has not been discovered here, experts tell us it will be. By
staying home, except for essential travel, you will reduce the risk to you and your
family while significantly reducing the rate of infection amongst our community as a
whole.
Stop the Spread - As recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and NY
State Department of Health, social distancing, practicing good hygiene habits such
as washing your hands several times a day, avoid touching your eyes, nose and
mouth, covering your sneeze and staying home when sick, will help reduce the risk and
spread of this virus.
Save Lives - Here in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo is taking unprecedented steps
to mitigate this public health crisis. There is no disputing our daily lives have been
disrupted and we should anticipate this to impact us in the weeks and months to
 come. Together, we are managing this public health crisis and taking steps to keep us
safe!

The Massena Emergency Operations Center’s purpose is to operate as a central command that
is responsible for carrying out the principals of emergency strategy, preparedness and
management.

The priorities of the EOC, as directed by Mayor Currier and Supervisor

O'Shaughnessy, are overall management of the community’s response to COVID-19, public
safety, public health and recovery from this crisis.

Trusted Sources:
By following the guidance from trusted sources, you can take to steps to reduce the risk to you and
your family.

CDC at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

NY State Health Department at: https://www.health.ny.gov/
Governor Cuomo at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/ (Live press conference daily at 11 AM)

Massena Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Contact Information:

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 11:00AM-3:00PM

General Inquiries: Email: massenaeoc@gmail.com

Phone: 315/769-3577 (Massena Police Department)

Information will be released to:

www.massenapd.com
Facebook: Village of Massena
Twitter: @VillageMassena
Instagram: Village of Massena
1340wmsa Radio on Air, Live Stream at www.1340wmsa.com
NNY360.com / Courier Observer

Mayor Currier’s Comments:

“With the COVID-19 crisis, we are facing uncertain times. Although we truly don’t know what
the future will bring, we do know, that if we take some careful, thoughtful and initiate appropriate
precautions now, we can reduce the dangers we will face going forward.

In my 32 years of public service to this community I have watched the residents of this
community handle every single challenge thrown at them. Massena and North Country residents
are team players, who come together in times like this, to help and care for one another. I urge you
all to heed the advice of those trusted sources, stay calm, stay safe and we will continue to take
care of and assist each other through this COVID-19 crisis as well.”
Supervisor O’Shaughnessy’s Comments:
“Thanks to Massena Police Chief Adam Love and others who provide necessary services to our
community, the EOC provides another level of safety, disseminating necessary information to the
public.”
Chief of Police Love’s Comments:
“We had more than 40 community partners joins us on today’s first EOC meeting. We are taking
a broad ranging approach dealing with public health, public safety and community wellness as we
handle the COVID-19 crisis. Massena has always worked well together, and we will continue to
do that.”
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“Keeping Massena Safe”