A state Senate task force questioned officials from the Department of Education Thursday about preparations for a possible swine flu outbreak.

Education officials told senators that they are ready for an outbreak of the illness, with the first shipments of the H1N1 vaccine expected to arrive in mid-October. All New York City students will be eligible to get vaccinated with parental consent.

The Senate task force also questioned representatives of the American Red Cross and the New York City Office of Emergency Management in an effort to determine their levels of preparedness ahead of the flu season.