Governor Hochul Announces Suffolk, Monroe, and Steuben Counties Receive State Emergency Management Accreditation

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Suffolk, Monroe, and Steuben Counties recently received accreditation through the New York State Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program. The Monroe County Office of Emergency Management, the Steuben County Office of Emergency Management, and the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services are the latest New York State emergency management organizations to gain accreditation, joining agencies in Albany, Broome, Chemung, Erie , Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Saratoga, Washington, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, and New York.

“New York City’s local emergency managers play a vital role in responding to a wide range of emergencies in their communities, and we are proud to support and honor them in their mission,” Governor Hochul said. “Our accreditation program demonstrates that counties have thorough plans and procedures in place to protect New Yorkers. Congratulations to the leaders of Bellone and Bello counties, County Superintendent Wheeler, and their respective teams on this achievement, and I continue to encourage counties across the state to continue this important accreditation process.”

The New York State Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program is the nation’s first statewide accreditation program for local emergency management agencies. The program was developed in collaboration with the New York State Emergency Management Association (NYSEMA). The accreditation program highlights and promotes local emergency management agencies in New York State. To be accredited, a local government must meet a set of standards and best practices that promote a coordinated and integrated approach to emergency management. Local residents must also involve “whole community” stakeholders, including government and non-government partners.

The New York State Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) administers the program on behalf of the Local Emergency Management Accreditation Board, which acts as the program’s governing body. Accreditation is valid for five years with the possibility of re-accreditation after a five-year period.

Jackie Bray, Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Situations, said: “New York’s threat landscape has never been so diverse, from ferocious storms to cyber incidents and mass casualties. These threats require our local emergency managers to have disaster response and community protection processes in place. Thank you to our partners in Monroe, Steuben and Suffolk Counties for receiving this accreditation, which will enable them to be better prepared to respond to emergencies.”

New York State Emergency Management Association President and Cattaraugus County Director of Emergency Management Chris Baker said: “I would like to congratulate these counties on achieving this important achievement, and I want to thank DHSES for their continued partnership with the accreditation program.”

Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Department

The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) aims to serve both Suffolk County’s 1.5 million residents and over 10,000 emergency services who are dedicated to saving lives and protecting property.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said:I am very proud of our Office of Emergency Management for their dedicated work and accreditation through the New York State Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program. These men and women work every day to ensure the health and safety of all Suffolk County residents. Thanks to the hard work of our FRES Commissioner Patrick Beckley and OEM Director Joseph Tshepisur, we have not only been able to meet government policy standards, but to exceed them.”

Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Pat Beckley said. “Obtaining state accreditation for our Office of Emergency Management has been one of our top priorities in Suffolk County Fire & Rescue and Emergency Services since 2021. It was a very detailed process that covered over 20 different subject areas of emergency management and required all of our plans to be in place. be updated within the last five years. This was a very challenging task to complete while continuing to respond to real world incidents such as COVID and other natural events. I am very proud of the efforts of all the FRES staff involved in this. I am especially proud of our OEM staff and Director Joseph Tshepisur’s leadership in achieving our goal as an accredited New York State Office of Emergency Management.”

Monroe County Office of Emergency Management

The Monroe County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) implements the County’s Comprehensive Contingency Plan for disaster relief during and after any natural or man-made disaster or wartime situation. In accordance with state executive law, the office develops and maintains a comprehensive contingency plan that includes prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The OEM plans and coordinates emergency response with government and non-government agencies and assists cities and villages in preparing their emergency response plans. The OEM, under the leadership of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, develops and continually reviews the Monroe County Radiation Emergency Preparedness Plan in the event of an accident at the Jinnah nuclear power plant. The OEM conducts several exercises per year to test its radiological emergency preparedness plan.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said:The Monroe County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is second to none in keeping our residents safe and protecting our resources. Monroe County’s state OEM emergency accreditation further proves the nature of this agency and its mission to prevent disasters and, when needed, provide the best disaster relief possible. Thank you to OEM Emergency Manager Tim Henry and his entire team for achieving this accreditation and for always putting the people of Monroe County first.”

Monroe County Associate Director of Public Safety and County Emergency Manager Tim Henry said: “What seemed like a daunting task turned out to be a very positive and educational process for our OEM team. Working with our invaluable partners in the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, we have been able to objectively prioritize and reassess our most critical emergency response plans and procedures, updating each approach with a community-wide approach to preparedness and response. The accreditation process has refocused many of our efforts towards proactive preparation versus emergency response.”

Steuben County Emergency Services Office

The Steuben County Emergency Services Office applies its training and knowledge to effectively plan and prepare for the dangerous consequences of natural and man-made disasters. Emergency officials direct and coordinate emergency services to protect those who live, travel, and work in Steuben County. Emergency service officials are committed to significantly reducing the number of losses for individuals, businesses and the Steuben County government and alleviating the suffering associated with the disruption of daily life.

Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler said: “Steuben County is grateful for this accreditation and is very proud of our Office of Emergency Services. Whether it’s their proactive disaster planning or responding to active events such as weather emergencies, fires, or COVID-19, the men and women in this office consistently demonstrate professionalism and a never-ending sense of duty. This accreditation is a well-deserved recognition of their tremendous efforts.”

Steuben County Director of Public Safety and County Emergency Manager Tim Marshall made the announcement. “Steuben County Emergency Services is pleased to be among those receiving this recognition through the New York State Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program. Achieving this accreditation confirms that we are among the most prepared for any emergency, natural disaster or other active disaster that may come our way. The men and women who work both as staff and as volunteers in our organization should be proud to be part of what brought us here.”

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.

DHSES and NYSEMA will provide technical assistance to local emergency departments interested in accreditation. Local emergency management offices seeking accreditation must complete an application form and mail it to DHSES at [email protected].

About the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination, and support for the prevention, protection, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of natural disasters and other emergencies. For more information find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, or visit our website.