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All Posts By

Zachary Polvino

Reminder to Update Agency Leadership in the UB|MD Portal

By Announcement

Throughout the Wyoming-Erie and Big Lakes Regions, many of the volunteer fire and EMS agencies are holding annual organizational elections and have upcoming changes in leadership roles. This is a good reminder for Agencies to submit their leadership changes in the Portal so that we have updated contacts including agency leadership, EMS leadership, CME coordinators, and ePCR coordinators.

2024 Update on The EMS Workforce Shortage: Where are the Emergency Medical Responders?

By Announcement

During the December 2024 State Emergency Medical Services Council (SEMSCO) and State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC) Meetings held earlier this week, the State Department of Health, Division of State Emergency Medical Services released the 2024 update to the 2019 Where are the Emergency Responders report. The 2024 document outlines the growing shortage of EMS professionals in the Emergency Medical Services field in both the Career and Volunteer sides based on data collected and analyzed from 2022-2023. These findings and survey results highlight several key areas of opportunity that agencies and providers can collectively address.

Please click here to read the 10-page document. 

Agency leaders are encouraged to share the document throughout their agency. The 2019 report can be found on the UB|MD EMS website by clicking here

Street Closing Around Oishei – Tuesday, December 3

By Alerts

On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, Kaleida Health Public Safety and Emergency Management will close a portion of Ellicott Street for a tree-lighting ceremony and horse-drawn hay rides for patients of Oishei Children’s Hospital. The road will be closed from approximately 1600 to 1800.

Click here for the map showing the section that will be closed from High Street to East North Street.

Please share this information with your crews.

New York State Weekend at National Fire Academy – March 2025

By Training

Please see the attached information from the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Bureau of EMS about the New York State Weekend at the National Fire Academy in March 2025!

Upcoming training includes the Functions of ICS for EMS as one of the course offerings, and the NYS OFPC is encouraging more EMS participation!

The course and lodging are free! Participants just need to purchase a meal ticket for the weekend and provide their own transportation.

Click here for the 2025 NYS Weekend Information

Crash Responder Safety Week: November 18-22

By Alerts

The following is from EMS.gov, the Office of Emergency Medical Services at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the upcoming Crash Responder Week, from Nov 18-22. As responders, our agencies respond daily to motor vehicle collisions, medical calls, and other incidents along roadways and highways. This campaign encourages agencies to take part and build awareness amongst the public about safety for all responders (Police, Fire, EMS, Towing) along the roadways. Below are links to webinars, outreach materials, and a Traffic Incident Management self-assessment.