Executive Order 48 declares a Disaster in Suffolk County in response to wildfires.
No. 48
E X E C U T I V E O R D E R
DECLARING A DISASTER IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
WHEREAS, on March 8, 2025, multiple wildfires in Suffolk County have created hazardous conditions posing an imminent danger to public transportation, utility service, public health, and public safety systems within the Suffolk County;
WHEREAS, dry and windy weather conditions will limit the ability to contain the wildfire and are favorable for additional spread. The fires have caused road closures and travel disruptions and may cause power outages and damage to public and private property, which pose a threat to the public health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York and Section 28 of the Executive Law, do hereby find that a disaster is imminent for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately. Therefore, I hereby declare a State Disaster Emergency effective March 8, 2025 within the territorial boundaries of the County of Suffolk. This Executive Order shall be in effect through April 7, 2025;
FURTHER, pursuant to Section 29 of the Executive Law, I direct the implementation of the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and authorize, effective March 8, 2025, State agencies, as necessary, to take appropriate action to protect State property and to assist affected local governments and individuals in responding to and recovering from this disaster, and to provide such other assistance as necessary to protect the public health and safety.
IN ADDITION, this declaration satisfies the requirements of 49 CFR 390.23(b), which provides relief from 49 CFR sections 395.2 and 395.5. Such relief from the federal motor carrier hours of service rules is necessary to hasten the movement of crews throughout New York State;
FURTHER, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend or modify any statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation, or parts thereof, if compliance with such statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency, I hereby temporarily suspend or modify, for the period from the date of this Executive Order through April 7, 2025, the following laws:
Section 97-G of the State Finance Law, to the extent necessary to purchase food, supplies, services, and equipment, or furnish or provide various centralized services to assist affected local governments, individuals, and other non-State entities in responding to and recovering from the disaster emergency;
Section 112 of the State Finance Law, to the extent consistent with Article V, Section I of the State Constitution, and to the extent necessary to add additional work, sites and time to State contracts;
Section 163 of the State Finance Law and Article 4-C of the Economic Development Law, to the extent necessary to purchase commodities, services, technology and materials without following the standard notice and procurement processes;
Section 9 of the Public Buildings Law and Article 4-C of the Economic Development Law, to the extent necessary to authorize the award of emergency contracts in excess of one million five hundred thousand dollars;
Section 9-1101 of the Environmental Conservation Law, to the extent necessary to authorize that a proclamation prohibiting the starting of fires outdoors may go into effect immediately upon issuance.
G I V E N under my hand and the
Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this eighth
day of March in the year two
thousand twenty-five.
BY THE GOVERNOR
Secretary to the Governor