Governor Hochul Announces Niagara and Wyoming Counties Have Achieved State Emergency Management Accreditation

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Niagara and Wyoming Counties achieved accreditation through New York State's Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program. Niagara County Emergency Services and the Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services are the latest emergency management organizations in New York to achieve accreditation, joining Albany, Broome, Chemung, Erie, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Nassau, Oneida, Saratoga, Washington, and Wayne counties, as well as New York City.

"Delivering an immediate response to local emergencies is a critical role shared by all county emergency managers, and Niagara County and Wyoming County have proven they have the processes in place to protect public safety," Governor Hochul said. "The accreditation process challenges emergency management agencies to ensure they have thorough plans and procedures to protect their citizens and I encourage other county emergency management offices to join their peers and become accredited."

New York State's Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program is the nation's first accreditation at the state level for local emergency management agencies. Developed in partnership with the New York State Emergency Management Association, the accreditation program highlights and promotes local emergency management agencies in New York State. To become accredited, a local government must meet a series of standards and best practices promoting a coordinated and integrated approach to emergency management. Localities must also engage "whole community" stakeholders, including government and private partners, and consider those in their community who may require specific attention during an emergency including homeless, elderly, and disabled New Yorkers.

State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Local Emergency Managers play a pivotal role in keeping New Yorkers safe during the most difficult of times and it's essential we ensure they have the tools, resources and expertise needed to get their community through any type of disaster. New York's groundbreaking accreditation process has consistently proven to be one of the best tools we have to accomplish this goal and we commend both Niagara and Wyoming Counties for all their hard work to achieve this distinction."

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services administers the program on behalf of the Local Emergency Management Accreditation Council, which serves as the governing body for the program. Accreditation is valid for five years, with an opportunity to obtain reaccreditation after the five-year period.

The Niagara County Office of Emergency Services ensures, through coordination with all first responders, that the county is prepared to respond to, and recover from, all natural and human-made emergencies for citizens, employers and visitors. The office provides the leadership, training and support to reduce the loss of life and property through an all-hazards emergency management program of planning and preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery throughout Niagara County.

The Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services is responsible for the overall planning and response coordination for emergencies in the county. Wyoming OES ensures the county is prepared to respond to, and recover from, all natural and human-made emergencies for citizens, employers and visitors. The office provides administration and presentation of fire and EMS training programs to countywide emergency services personnel; comprehensive all hazards pre-disaster planning; pre-disaster mitigation planning, and provides pre-disaster recovery information and assistance to the public. Additionally, the OES coordinates training for fire and EMS through the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Office of Fire Prevention and Control, as well as the New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

New York State Emergency Management Association President and Cattaraugus County Emergency Management Director Chris Baker said, "The Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program is a great example of the strong partnership between NYSEMA and the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and I want to congratulate Niagara and Wyoming counties on achieving accreditation. This program is helping to raise the bar for emergency management in New York State."

Niagara County Fire Coordinator and Director of Emergency Services Jonathan Schultz said, "Niagara County Emergency Services is extremely excited to achieve accreditation and I thank those who worked so hard to attain this achievement. We continuously partner with the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, local police agencies, the local career and volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies as well as the Niagara County Department of Health, to provide services to those experiencing emergencies or disasters across our county. Our ongoing work with our County Legislature, in collaboration with all the local jurisdictions, continues to make Niagara County one of the safest places to live.

Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services Director of Fire and Emergency Management Brian Meyers said, "Since becoming the Director of Wyoming County Emergency Services I have made it a goal for Wyoming County to achieve this accreditation and it is with true honor to do so. The support received by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services while working on this task was instrumental in achieving accreditation and I would like to commend them for their assistance and professionalism. To say we are proud of this achievement would be an understatement. Achieving accreditation shows that, even in a rural county, we can provide the same level of service as our counterparts in larger counties. We will continue to do our best in the effort to prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies with a new sense of pride."

Additional information about the New York State Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program - including program guidance, eligibility, and standards - can be found on the DHSES website here.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and New York State Emergency Management Association will provide technical assistance to local emergency management offices interested in obtaining accreditation. Local emergency management offices looking to achieve accreditation should complete the application form and submit it to the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services at [email protected].

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, or visit our website.