GENESEO, N.Y., Oct. 12, 2023 – After nearly 18 months of rigorous training, preparation and development, the Livingston County Office of Emergency Management has announced that its capabilities now include emergency rope rescue.
With the addition of rope rescue, Livingston County’s Special Operations Team will be able to respond to and assist with increasingly complex situations in and around the region including those within Letchworth and Stony Brook State Parks, which may require more cutting-edge rescue techniques and equipment as a result of their respective terrains.
“The OEM Special Operations Team is ready to assist where needed, traditionally on HAZMAT calls, and now on rope rescue calls,” said Andrew Brodell, Director of the Livingston County Office of Emergency Management. “If a need exists, we will be there.”
In order to meet standards to safely and effectively deploy rope rescue, members of the Special Operations Team combined in-house training opportunities with multiple operations and technician-level courses provided by New York State. Furthermore, team members travelled to the New York State Preparedness Training Center and the New York State Fire Academy where they gained hands-on experience to better prepare for real-world rescue situations.
To date, the County’s Special Operations Team consists of 15 New York State Technician-Level personnel, three New York State Operations-Level personnel and six RTB-Level personnel. Additionally, the team consists of 12 staff who are specially trained to assist in logistics including moving rescue equipment and deploying manpower where needed.
“With the additional ability to respond to emergencies where rope rescue is necessary, Livingston County broadened its capabilities significantly,” said Ian M Coyle, Livingston County’s Administrator. “This expansion is important throughout the region as the County’s Office of Emergency Management will not only be able to provide its own residents with the highest level of emergency response, but can also aid contiguous counties as needed.”
To learn more about the work being undertaken to prepare for emergency situations or to learn more about the steps you can take to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, please visit the Livingston County Office of Emergency Management’s website.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.
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