This after hearing testimony from the National Weather Service, Long Island Power Authority, fire departments, American Red Cross and New York State, City and Long lsland emergency management experts. Although there were some emergency shelters identified, none had generators. As for emergency communication systems, Nassau County was still relying on the archaic FireCom with no backup.
Ed Mangano changed all that - tapping into little known state and federal grants to purchase modern communications equipment, and systematically arranging for the evacuation and sheltering of thousands of residents including those from hospitals and nursing homes, before Sandy made landfall.
In fact, Mangano received a state award for his leadership before, during and after Sandy. And this week, for the first time ever, Nassau County earned the status of "storm ready" by the National Weather Service.