Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services

12/01/2023

Police and Public Safety Dispatcher Jobs

                                                                      Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity.

11/30/2023

Erie County will send a test message on the ReadyErie app on Fri., 12/1 -12 p.m. Download the ReadyErie app to your cell phone AND make sure notifications are enabled – app available for Android and iPhone.

The ReadyErie preparedness app is available for Erie County residents to make and share emergency plans, as well as receive information from Erie County during emergencies. Download this free app: Apple Droid *Get and share the ReadyErie Information Sheet and Download Instructions Unveiled September...

11/27/2023

IMPORTANT PRIVACY UPDATE:
If you have an iPhone and have done the recent iOS 17 update, they’ve installed a feature called NameDrop. This feature allows you to easily share contact information and photos to another iPhone by just holding the phones close together. This feature is defaulted to ‘ON’. To shut this feature off, go to Settings, General, AirDrop, Bringing Devices Together and change to ‘OFF’.

PARENTS: Don’t forget to change these settings on your child’s phone to help keep them safe as well!

NOTE: This is intended for the public to be aware of as this is something that can easily be mistaken or looked past by elderly, children or other vulnerable individuals.
The intentions of the information provided is to inform the public of this feature and adjust their settings as needed to keep their own or their loved ones contact information safe.

There's nothing to fear if you have the setting turned on. The only way your contact information will be shared is if you and the other person hold your phones very close to each other, unlock them both, and then accept the swap.
There is no way for anyone to get your information without it first popping up on your screen and you or them physically tapping the "accept” prompt.

11/22/2023

11/21/2023

F0636 - BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION (01-10-0097)

This two-day course is designed to help fire and emergency services learn what community risk reduction is and how to build organizational support for it. This course will address the challenges fire departments face in shifting their priorities from response to prevention. In many departments community risk reduction is still considered a low priority. This course will show you how community risk reduction can help you and your department become more of a community play in times of decreased budgets.

Erie County Training Dates
02/06/2024 - 02/07/2024

The system administrator configured your user account to require a password change the next time you sign in. Please follow the password reset instructions on the Portal website to access your account.

11/21/2023

We want to congratulate Mark Lawniczak on his 33 years as an Erie County Fire Instructor. He is officially retiring at the end of this year. Please join us in thanking him for his dedicated service to keeping our citizens safe through all of his time instructing the Firefighters in in our community.

11/19/2023

Good News! The latest predictions from our meteorological partners at US National Weather Service Buffalo NY and State University of New York at Albany indicate no lake effect snow later this week. Instead, rain mid-week and then drier conditions are expected for Thanksgiving.

See latest briefing from the NWS below ⬇️

11/18/2023

🌬️ Get weather alerts, see road closures, find emergency services, & make a personalized plan with the FREE app.

Download for iOS & Android: erie.gov/readyerie


Cc: Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services

11/17/2023

LOCAL WNY FIREFIGHTER LODD
On Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, Fire Sergeant Thomas Petschke Jr. of the Ballardsville Fire & Rescue, Oldham County KY, was at the scene of a residential fire. While battling the fire, he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. He was immediately treated and transported to the local hospital where he later passed away. Thomas is a Western New York native from Kenmore. There will be a service held at the Dengler Roberts Funeral Home at 1671 Maple Rd. Williamsville this Monday 11/20/23 at Noon. Any fire department that would like to participate in the procession with apparatus, should contact Clarence Chief Brett Hanford 716-517-6650 or Snyder Chief Tim Oliver 716-400-9527. The department is also looking for volunteers to stand by as honor guard at the funeral home from Sunday afternoon until Monday afternoon. If any firefighters would want to assist, again please contact one of the chiefs above.

11/14/2023

Job opening: MERS Coordinator (temporary). Apply through and including November 28, 12 hour shifts. Current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) Certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (E.M.D.) from the National Academy of E.D. at time of appointment and maintenance of E.M.D. certification throughout employment. Other requirements apply.

https://www3.erie.gov/health/employment-0

11/10/2023

988 services are distinct and separate from the emergency medical and public safety response associated with 911.
Free and confidential 24/7 crisis and emotional support is available by calling or texting 988.
Crisis Counselors are trained to use the least invasive verbal and text-based interventions necessary to de-escalate an individual in a safe and compassionate manner.
Most of the time, the call, text, or chat itself is the only intervention needed.

11/09/2023

The phones will be down starting this morning through the weekend for the Fire Safety Division, the EMS Division, and BFD Training offices. If you need to contact us, please use the appropriate emails from our websites.

11/06/2023

Wales Center Fire Company selling 2004 Holmatro extrication equipment $4,000 or reasonable offer.
Contact Chief Swyers 716-818-5809
[email protected]

11/03/2023

Responding to Hunting Emergencies online training
Wednesday 11/8/23 19:00

It's that time of year for people to take to the outdoors in search of wildlife. Join us as we discuss what we can expect when the call for help comes if hunters find themselves in trouble. Tom Miller will be our guest presenter.

10/31/2023

Over the past three years, CPSC estimates that an annual average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
Here’s how the injuries break down:
55% were related to pumpkin carving;
25% were due to falls while putting up or taking down decorations, tripping on costumes or walking while trick-or-treating;
20% of the injuries included lacerations, ingestions and other injuries associated with costumes, pumpkins or decorations, and allergic reactions or rashes.
Among the injured, 54 percent were adults 18 years and over, 46 percent were under 18 years old, and about 10 percent of all injuries were to children 6 years old or younger.
Fire safety is important year-round, with special awareness during holiday seasons. A new CPSC report estimates that candles and electrical cords/plugs were associated with an annual average of 5,600 and 1,600 fires, respectively, from 2017 through 2019.

Stay safe this Halloween by observing the following CPSC safety tips:

10/30/2023

Firefighter Exam - Lackawanna has changed the residency language to include the hiring of non city residents. A non city resident that is offered employment will have 6 months to move into the City of Lackawanna.

10/30/2023

The 2024 City of Tonawanda Professional Firefighters Exam has been issued. The following links will take you to the City of Tonawanda Civil Service website. There is the exam announcement and the application to take the test. This is the first step in our hiring process. For more information please contact the civil service department. GOOD LUCK TO ALL! City of Tonawanda Fire Department

https://www.tonawandacity.com/Firefighter%20Jan%2013%202024.pdf

https://www.tonawandacity.com/Application%20for%20Examination%20or%20Employment.pdf

10/30/2023

Anyone who has experienced a Western New York winter knows that fierce frosts and wicked winds can make travel and outdoor conditions dangerous. With snow in the forecast, now is the time to get serious about winter preparedness for your home, vehicle, workplace and neighborhood.

Collect your Supplies
When ice and wind knock out power, and snow makes outdoor travel dangerous, having an emergency kit can keep you and the people in your household safe and comfortable. There is no single way to build a perfect emergency kit, and thinking through the basics of what you would eat, water sources for drinking, hygiene and cleaning, and ways to stay warm should be at the top of the list. As you put those items into a box, bag, or easy-to-reach shelf, consider making another mini-kit to keep in your vehicle. The Erie County Office of Health Equity has a newsletter, Let’s Get Ready for Winter, at www.erie.gov/health-equity, with extensive recommendations.

The Ready.gov web site also has detailed instructions and lists of what to keep in your emergency kit.

Prepare your Space
Beyond basic tools like a sturdy snow shovel and ice scraper for your vehicle, think about your house or apartment’s power and water systems. Do you have pipes that could freeze? Do you know where your electric fuse box is? If you have a generator, is it in good working order, and do you have fuel for it? Take time now to insulate water pipes and know the basics of how your utilities work. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure you have appropriate fire extinguishers in your kitchen and other parts of your home.

Within your household, think about any specific medical or mobility needs for you and any pets or livestock. Take time now to talk to your doctor about alternatives if winter weather disrupts your ability to get prescription medications or to travel to life-saving treatments like dialysis. For people who rely on oxygen, what is your plan if the power goes out or if your supply runs low? Ask these questions now, before the snow starts to fly.

Build your Circle of Care
Talk to family members, friends and neighbors about how you could approach winter weather emergencies together – what resources and skills you need, and what gaps you need to fill. Trainings like stop the bleed, basic first aid, hands-only CPR and winter preparedness give you skills to be the help until help arrives.

You can connect with others to stay safe and comfortable if the power goes out and roads are unsafe. Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera and Live Well Erie shared a video on this topic; watch at https://bit.ly/ECCircleOfCare.

Stay Aware and Informed
Before, during and after a winter weather emergency, Erie County will share important updates on its web site, social media, through local media and through the ReadyErie app. Download it for free for Android and Apple devices at erie.gov/readyerie.

Have an alternative way, like a battery-operated radio, to hear weather updates in case your power or internet service is interrupted. And make a habit of checking the weather forecast frequently, especially if you have travel planned. Our
US National Weather Service Buffalo NY partners are the definitive source for weather conditions and forecasts. They are also sharing great information about Winter Weather Awareness Week on their social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/NWSBuffalo.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

https://www3.erie.gov/health/press/get-ready-frosts-and-freezes-snow-and-sleet-way

Live Well Erie Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Erie County, NY

10/30/2023

The Buffalo office of the National Weather Service will be conducting a Winter SKYWARN spotter training seminar at the Springville Senior Center, 40 Commerce Dr, in Springville, NY on Thursday November 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM. The training session will last about 90 minutes and there is no cost for the training.
Registration https://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

10/30/2023

Fire Protection Technology Degree Program Internship opportunity in Monroe County

10/30/2023

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10/30/2023

The Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services is hosting an All-Hazards Incident Tactical Dispatcher course this week. Dispatchers from all over the County will be advancing their skills to better prepare for large scale and serious incidents that they may be involved in.

10/27/2023

Erie County Fire Safety Division was invited to speak on Electric Vehicles and Lithium Ion Batteries at today's NITTEC Annual Meeting. Fire Instructor Paul Gorczyca addressed the audience about the issues that face first responders and those responsible for our roadways.

10/19/2023

Course Announcement

10/17/2023

UPDATE ** This class was just canceled. “Truck Skills Beyond the Textbooks”
November 16 – Erie County

10/13/2023

10/11/2023

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