Tag: e911

A new emergency order is now in effect in Broome County that prohibits New York City residents from using NYC housing vouchers within the county. The new order is part of the State of Emergency issued in May related to the City’s attempt to relocate large groups of people to Upstate hotels. The State of Emergency was enacted due to the extremely limited amount of housing currently available in the County.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “New York City is once again trying to relocate individuals with virtually no communication with the rest of the state and no plan in place for how they will track individuals participating in their program. The situation has not changed in Broome County since May: we have a very limited number of places for our own residents to live, both temporarily and long-term. Beyond that, our human resources system is at capacity and our healthcare system continues to be pushed to its limit in the wake of COVID. The limited resources we have are for Broome County residents first and foremost.”

The County Executive’s Office is coordinating with Sheriff Fred Akshar, the County Department of Social Services, and other agencies that may be impacted by the arrival of relocated persons. The Sheriff’s Office has worked since May to educate local hotels and landlords about the State of Emergency and associated emergency orders and is the lead agency on their enforcement.

Sheriff Fred Akshar said, “Our commitment to the safety and security of the residents of Broome County remains unwavering, despite New York City’s varied and continued efforts to surreptitiously relocate large groups of individuals in our community. The latest housing voucher scheme is set to price local families out of much-needed housing, increasing homelessness and creating unsafe situations for our residents across Broome County, especially those already receiving public assistance. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to our partnership with the County Executive and the men and women serving and protecting our community remain committed to doing everything we can to keep our residents and their families safe.”

The housing vouchers are part of New York City’s Family Homelessness & Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS) program which provides a housing allowance to eligible NYC families currently living in a homeless shelter or at risk of becoming homeless. Under the program’s guidelines, which were created by New York City, vouchers are worth the Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) fair market rate for the county in which they are used. In Broome County NYC FHEPS vouchers would be worth $904 for a one-bedroom unit. Broome County residents eligible for housing assistance through DSS would be at a significant disadvantage in finding housing since their housing allowance is far less than the NYC FHEPS amount. The higher amount under FHEPS could result in local families being priced out of their apartments in Broome County, further exacerbating homelessness in our community.

Additionally, there are concerns with how New York City will conduct building inspections for this program, how individuals in the program will be tracked, where they will go when the five-year program expires, and who will provide additional services they may require while living outside of New York City.

As the 2023-24 school year begins, Broome County’s Office of Emergency Services is reminding drivers to stop for school buses. The County’s School Bus Stop-Arm Camera program will be recording vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses and automatically issuing citations.

Broome County’s program was created through a 2019 local law passed by the County Legislature. The program, which is managed by the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, outfits school buses in Broome County with stop-arm cameras that automatically record any vehicle that illegally passes. Each initial violation comes with a $250 fine which is issued to drivers by mail; second and third violations in an 18-month period are $275 and $300 respectively. The fines are set by the New York State law which permitted local governments to create their own stop-arm camera programs.

Since its inception, the Stop-Arm Camera program has caught 5,813 drivers illegally passing buses throughout Broome County. Despite the troubling total number of violations since the program’s inception, violations were down 11% for the 2022-23 school year compared to the 2021-22 school year, the program’s first year.

For more information visit: https://broomecountyny.gov/e911/Stop-Arm

N95 masks are available for FREE at the following locations in Broome County:

Career and Community Services Center 
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday
Address: 501 Reynolds Rd. Johnson City, NY 13790

Department of Social Services
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday  
Address: 36-42 Main St. Binghamton, NY 13905

Greater Binghamton Regional Transportation Center
Hours: 6:45 am – 9:45 pm Monday-Sunday 
Address: 81 Chenango St. Binghamton NY 13901

Broome County Health Department
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday
Address: 225 Front St. Binghamton, NY 13905

Broome County Library
Hours: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Monday-Thursday and 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday & Saturday
Address: 185 Court St. Binghamton NY 13901

Broome West Senior Center
Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday-Friday
Address: 2801 Wayne St, Endicott, NY 13760

County Office Building 
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday
Address: 60 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY 13901

Deposit Free Library
Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Tuesday-Thursday & 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Friday & Saturday *CLOSED on Monday
Address: 159 Front St. Deposit, NY 13754

Mary Wilcox Library
Hours: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday & Friday, 10:00 am – 2 pm Saturday, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Tuesday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Wednesday & Thursday
Address: 2630 Main St. Whitney Point, NY 13862

Limited Housing, Services Prevents County from Hosting Large Groups Attempting to Relocate in Broome

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar declared a state of emergency Thursday after reports that New York City may try to relocate large groups of people to Upstate counties. The state of emergency was enacted due to the extremely limited amount of housing currently available in the County.

“Broome County already has a very limited number of places for our own residents to live, both temporarily and long-term. Our shelters and contracted hotels and motels are currently filled with individuals in need of housing. Food pantries are still trying to keep up with the need in the community following the pandemic. Human services are in high demand and our healthcare system continues to be pushed to its limit in the wake of COVID. The limited resources we have are for Broome County residents first and foremost; we do not have the capacity to take on large groups of people should they arrive in our community.”

An associated emergency order prohibits municipalities outside Broome County to contract with hotels and other multiple dwellings without a permit issued by the County. Additionally, hotels and multiple dwellings are prohibited to contract with outside municipalities with outside municipalities upon receiving a permit as well.

The County Executive’s Office is coordinating with Sheriff Fred Akshar, local municipalities, hospitals, schools, and other agencies that may be impacted by any arrival of relocated persons.

The state of emergency and associated emergency orders can be viewed by clicking here.

As Broome County recognizes Operation Safe Stop Day, the Office of Emergency Services reports that the County’s School Bus Stop-Arm Camera program has surpassed five thousand violations. School buses throughout Broome County have recorded 4,892 drivers illegally passing them since the program launched in June of 2021. Despite the troubling total number of violations since the program’s inception, violations are down 16% this school year compared to last. Below is month-by-month breakdown of violations for the current year.

September 2022 – 58

October 2022 – 282

November 2022 – 268

December 2022 – 234

January 2023 – 152

February 2023 – 297

March 2023 – 283

Operation Safe Stop Day is a national day of advocacy that reminds motorist of the dangers of illegally passing school buses, along with the tickets and fines that go along with associated violations. Each initial violation comes with a $250 fine which is issued to drivers by mail; second and third violations in an 18-month period are $275 and $300 respectively. The fines are set by the New York State law which permitted local governments to create their own stop-arm camera programs.

Broome County’s program was created through a 2019 local law passed by the County Legislature. The program, which is managed by the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, outfits school buses in Broome County with stop-arm cameras that automatically record any vehicle that illegally passes. For more information visit: https://broomecountyny.gov/e911/Stop-Arm

The Broome County Office of Emergency Services needs your help finding a new mascot. If you think you’re up for the challenge, enter the OES Mascot Art Contest. Learning about Preparedness and Emergency Management at a young age is critical to helping Broome County be resilient and ready. This new mascot will help OES share its mission with residents of all ages. The contest is now open and runs through March 17^th, when the Office of Emergency Services will pick their top 5 choices and have the public vote on which mascot we will adopt. 

Entering is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

• 1. Pick up an OES entry form from one of the four locations around the County or print one off our website. 
• 2. Create and draw your Mascot idea on the form, giving a brief introduction.
• 3. Drop off, email, mail, or fax your entry into the Broome County Office of Emergency Services.

The forms can be picked-up from:

• Broome County Library- 185 Court St. Binghamton, NY
• Public Safety- 153 Lt Van Winkle Drive, Binghamton, NY
• County Office Building- 60 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY
• Health Department- 225 Front St, Binghamton, NY

The artist of the winning mascot will be awarded a Hot Air Balloon Ride for two at the 2023 Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, a Family 4 Pack of tickets to the concert events, and VIP onsite parking passes for all three days! For more information and to download your entry form please visit gobroomecounty.com/mascot today.

First of 55 agencies to use emergency communications system

The Endicott Police Department is now online to the Broome County-wide Public Safety Radio system. The new emergency communications network, led by the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, will assist 55 different first responder agencies from police, fire, and EMS throughout the County.

“Residents rely on our first responders to assist them as quickly as possible during an emergency; this new network will help make response times faster than ever, creating safer communities throughout Broome County,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “This project has been a huge undertaking. Thank you to everyone who helped get this network up and running.”

The County’s old network consisted of 12 different radio systems with portions dating back to 1970, creating major radio coverage gaps. The old systems operate on three different “bands” meaning the ability for one unit to talk to another one for mutual aid is virtually impossible. For example, three different fire departments who respond to a fire in mutual aid may not be able to communicate with each other.

The upgraded public radio system will meet the county’s needs for the next 20 years. Equipment is being provided to all Police, Fire, EMS, and DPW departments, allowing all to communicate with each other. All users will be able to change to an emergency channel and speak directly with a 911 dispatcher.

The $23 million project is being supported through temporary surcharges added to residents’ landline and wireless phone bills; a change that was made through a rule change at the state level with the help of Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. 

“When our loved ones’ lives are on the line, we need to make sure our first responders aren’t depending on 50-year-old equipment to save lives,” said Senator Fred Akshar. “The stakes are too high. I was proud to partner with Assemblywoman Lupardo, County Executive Garnar, County Legislature Chairman Dan Reynolds and our local county legislators to ensure our police, fire and emergency services have the tools they need to help keep us safe.”

“When the County approached Sen. Akshar and I about the need to upgrade their outdated public safety radio system, we immediately passed legislation giving them a funding stream to help pay for it” said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. “Eventually, all first responders in the County will be able to communicate on the same emergency channel, instead of the fragmented system they currently use. It’s a relief to know the system is being rolled out starting here in Endicott.”

More than 3,000 violations reported in program’s first year

With the new school year set to begin, the Broome County Office of Emergency Services is reminding drivers that if they illegally pass a stopped school bus, they will be caught and fined. Buses throughout the County are equipped with cameras that activate when the stop arm extends, allowing for video and photographs to automatically be taken of vehicles that illegally pass.

Under New York State Motor Vehicle Law 1174(a), drivers that approach a school bus that is stopped to receive or drop off passengers and has at least one flashing red light must stop and remain so until the bus continues moving or signals for the driver to pass. Each initial violation comes with a $250 fine which is issued to drivers by mail; second and third violations in an 18-month period are $275 and $300 respectively. The fines are set by the New York State law which permitted local governments to create their own stop-arm camera programs.

 The program launched in June 2021 and recorded 3,030 violations in its first full year. The second year of the County’s Stop Arm program began this summer; during this summer break (July & August), when far fewer buses are on the road, 46 violations were recorded. The highest number of violations for any month of the 2021-22 school year was May 2022 when 439 drivers illegally passed stopped buses; the fewest violations for a month was September 2021 with 203.

Broome County’s program was created through a 2019 local law passed by the County Legislature and is managed by the Broome County Office of Emergency Services. For more information visit: https://broomecountyny.gov/e911/Stop-Arm

The Broome County Office of Emergency Services announced Thursday efforts to address ongoing challenges facing local EMS agencies. The County has convened an EMS Core Workgroup as well as begun an independent study to analyze issues and provide recommendations for the future.

“EMS providers literally save lives; when a resident dials 911, they deserve peace of mind knowing that an ambulance will be there to assist in their emergency,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “We understand the challenges these agencies are facing and we are working to ensure that they have the resources they need to continue delivering this essential service.”

Over the past several years, the demand for EMS response in the County has surpassed the supply of on-duty ambulances. As a result, there have been instances of delays in response to calls and an excessive use of mutual aid which can potentially deprive other areas of their own coverage. A decline in volunteers, difficulty recruiting new staff, and revenue limitations have all contributed to the current state of EMS services.

Broome County is also working with its State representatives to bring attention to these challenges in Albany. Last month, Assemblymembers Donna Lupardo and Joe Angelino convened a local meeting to learn more about EMS service in the County and ways they can advocate for resources and solutions at the State level.

The County study is being conducted by Tetra Tech, a contracted vendor with Broome County and is expected to be completed prior to the end of the year.

The Broome County Office of Emergency Services reports that the County’s School Bus Stop-Arm Camera program recorded more than 3,000 violations since the launch of the program last summer. School buses throughout Broome County have recorded 3,030; the final month of the 2021-2022 school year resulted in 297 drivers illegally passing buses. Below is month-by-month breakdown of violations for the current school year.

September 2021 – 203

October 2021 – 256

November 2021 – 294

December 2021 – 395

January 2022 – 209

February 2022 – 226

March 2022 – 286

April 2022 – 365

May 2022 – 439

June 2022 – 297

Each initial violation comes with a $250 fine which is issued to drivers by mail; second and third violations in an 18-month period are $275 and $300 respectively. The fines are set by the New York State law which permitted local governments to create their own stop-arm camera programs.

Broome County’s program was created through a 2019 local law passed by the County Legislature. The program, which is managed by the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, outfits school buses in Broome County with stop-arm cameras that automatically record any vehicle that illegally passes. For more information visit: https://broomecountyny.gov/e911/Stop-Arm