Tioga County Emergency Services

05/19/2026

As we celebrate EMS week this week (May 17-23) - we want to thank all the EMS providers that serve our communities across the county day and night! Thank you for all you do!

05/14/2026

Reminder for Open House on 5/30/26.

05/09/2026

Update: On May 11, Dalton Malmstrom was located deceased in the Susquehanna River by NYSP Underwater Recovery Team, NYSP K9 and members of the Nichols Fire Department. The NYSP thanks all the first responders and volunteers who assisted over the weekend. Our thoughts are with Dalton’s family during this difficult time.

Troop C - NICHOLS, TIOGA COUNTY — A heavy presence of emergency responders and volunteers from both New York and Pennsylvania are actively searching for missing 18-year-old Dalton G. Malmstrom in Tioga County.

Dalton was last seen around 7:45 a.m. leaving his residence on East River Road near the Susquehanna River in the Town of Nichols. Family members say he was not acting like himself prior to leaving.

Anyone who may have seen Dalton or has information about where he may be is urged to contact the New York State Police at (607) 561-7400 immediately.

READ MORE: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/update-missing-nichols-18-year-old-located-deceased

05/06/2026

05/05/2026

MEDIA RELEASE: May is Motorcycle Safety Month: Look Twice, Save a Life

Tioga County Public Health wants to remind everyone that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, urging all motorists and motorcyclists to work together to make our roads safer.

Motorcycles are an important part of our transportation system, but riders face unique safety challenges due to their size and exposure. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash and 4 times more likely to be injured.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), over 140 motorcyclists are killed each year in New York, and more than 4,500 motorcycle crashes occur annually. Most motorcycle crash fatalities occur between May and September, with over 90% involving male riders. Common contributing factors include speeding and alcohol use.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month reminds motorcyclists to take simple steps that save lives:
🏍 Follow the posted speed limits and road signs
🏍 Share the road and give motorcyclists space
🏍 Look twice before changing lanes, turning, or pulling out into the road
🏍 Avoid distractions and never drive impaired

Motorcyclists should always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet, which is proven to reduce the risk of head injury and death.

Tioga County Public Health calls on our community to join in this effort to reduce crashes and protect lives by staying alert, avoiding distractions, and most importantly, sharing the road with motorcyclists. Every driver and rider plays a role in keeping our roads safe—look twice, give space, and respect all road users to ensure everyone arrives home safely.

For more information on motorcycle safety and sharing the road, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles.

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04/22/2026

OES was pleased to welcome New Visions high school student Anika Smith to the office to learn about all the many tasks that Emergency Services is responsible for! From the radio project, emergency management, hazard identification and mitigation, disaster planning, response and recovery, fire coordinator duties, special teams and more! There are many career paths that intertwine and involve Emergency management, emergency services and homeland security. We wish Anika the best with all her future plans and experiences!

04/15/2026

Ever thought about helping your community? Now is the time to join your volunteer fire department! This weekend is Recruit NY weekend, with many firehouses open to talk to you about joining and all the ways you can help them and the community! The participating departments in Tioga are listed below - if you have more questions check out -https://fireinyou.org

Town of Owego Fire District. Apalachin Fire Department. Owego Fire Department and

04/12/2026

When you call for help, it isn’t the officer or medic who answers, it is a telecommunicator/dispatch. They are the calm presence on the line, the lifeline on the radio and sometimes the last voice someone hears. They are expected to respond under pressure, and then answer the next call - no matter the situation and outcome from the previous call. They deserve our appreciation and gratitude everyday, but especially this week, we want to remind them how important they are in the public safety chain! From someone asking for help, to the responders relying on them, and everyone in between- thank you dispatch, for all you do to keep us safe!

01/26/2026

What is a State of Emergency?!

A state of emergency is a formal declaration by a government that an extraordinary crisis, such as a natural disaster- exists. It allows temporary powers to suspend normal operations, mobilize resources, and potentially limit certain civil liberties to protect public safety. This declaration allows officials to bypass normal procedures for funding, resource allocation, and decision-making, enabling swift action like evacuations, deploying emergency services, or implementing curfews.

A State of Emergency doesn’t automatically close roadways and businesses. This would have to be done with Emegency Orders.

Currently, Tioga County has an active state of emergency and an active travel advisory that expires at midnight tonight (1/25/26). Employees should check with their employers if they have any questions about business disruptions.

As of right now, it appears the worst of the storm will be through the area and the many DPW depts can continue cleaning up and clearing roadways.

01/25/2026

Tioga County has issued a State of Emergency due to the winter storm impacting the area. With that, no unnecessary travel and travel advisories have been issued. Please stay off the roadways to allow plows to do their job and reduce accidents or further issues.