NY-TERT's newly minted class of TERT Team Leaders - Onondaga County Training Session

NY-TERT's newest TERT Certified Personnel - Onondaga County Training

Governor Cuomo declares State of Emergency

Albany, NY (February 8, 2013)

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today declared a state of emergency as a major winter storm has already started to bring heavy snow and high winds to parts of New York State. A state of emergency mobilizes resources to local governments that otherwise are restricted to state use only and allows the Governor to suspend laws and regulations that would impede rapid response. The disaster declaration is in effect for the following counties: Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.

The Governor urged New Yorkers to avoid traveling and stay inside their homes until the worst of the storm has passed. Blizzard warnings remain in effect through 1:00 PM Saturday for affected areas of the state. An estimated 10-14 inches of snow is expected for New York City with areas in Long Island possibly receiving upwards of 20 inches. Wind speeds are beginning to pick up with gusts reaching 40 mph in NYC and a chance for gusts to reach near 70 mph on the forks of Long Island.

“As this winter storm unfolds, bringing heavy snow and high winds to parts of the state, I strongly urge all New Yorkers to exercise caution, avoid travel, and stay indoors,” Governor Cuomo said. “To ensure an effective and rapid response to this winter storm, I am declaring a state of emergency for counties in the lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island so resources can get to communities where they are needed as quickly as possible.”

For more information on the declaration, click on the following link:

http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/02082013State-of-Emergency

APCO Public Safety Communications article on Hurricane Sandy

NY-TERT response to Hurricane Sandy

Check out my article on NY-TERT's response to Hurricane Sandy in the January 2013 digital edition of APCO's Public Safety Communications Magazine. The article will appear in hardcopy format in February 2013. An excerpt from the article will also appear in the February 2013 issue of the New York State Association of Counties

Tragedy in Rochester, NY

I wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who reached out today to offer condolences, thoughts, and prayers for the firefighters who lost their lives early this morning in West Webster, NY. Four firefighters were shot shortly after arriving at the scene of a house fire in an apparent ambush on the responders. Two of the four firefighters were fatally wounded. Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, both volunteers with the West Webster Fire District, lost their lives shortly after arriving at the scene. Mike was a Lieutentant with the Webster Police Department. Tomasz was a Fire Dispatcher in our 911 Center. Both will be missed dearly.

Warren County TERT Training - December 6 & 7, 2012