Chenango County Bureau of Fire
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ONE MONTH LEFT TO REGISTER FOR FEMA DISASTER AID
ALBANY, N. Y. - New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Irene have only 30 more days to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible federal disaster assistance.
October 2 marks the halfway point in the 60-day registration period. It's important that those who may need to register for aid do so as soon as possible. Registrations cannot be accepted after the October 31, 2011 deadline.
"Registration keeps open the possibility of a wide range of assistance," said Philip E. Parr, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer. "If your insurance coverage comes up short, or other damage appears later, you need to be registered for us to help."
To register, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to "apply online for federal assistance."
The registration period and the deadline apply to the major federal disaster declaration signed by President Barack Obama on August 31 that enabled residents and business owners in Albany, Bronx, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Washington and Westchester counties to register for federal recovery aid.
FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center
Has now been established at the Chenango County Public Safety Facility (Sheriff's Office) at 279 County Road 46 Norwich, NY.
This DRC has represenatives from FEMA, Small Business Administration, Mental Health Services, Social Services and other agencies to assist the Public with their recovery needs. The DCR is open today (Tuesday 9/17/2011) from 1 PM until 8 PM. Then Daily from 8 AM until 8 PM and closed on Sundays. If anyone should have questions or need help with their applications, they are welcome to come to the DRC and talk with the appropriate represenatives.
Directions to the Public Safety Facility (Chenango County Sheriff's Office):
From the South: Take State Highway 12 North to Walmart. At the intersection (Red Light) turn left onto County Road 46. It's the last building on the left. Turn into the Driveway and go strait to the rear of the Public Safety Facility. Follow the signs.
From the North: Take State Highway 12 South through the City of Norwich to Walmart. At the intersection (Red Light) turn right onto County Road 46. It's the last building on the left. Turn into the Driveway and go strait to the rear of the Public Safety Facility. Follow the signs.
From the West: Take State Highway 23 East into the City of Norwich. Turn Right onto State Highway 12 South. Go South through the City of Norwich to Walmart. At the intersection (Red Light) turn right onto County Road 46. It's the last building on the left. Turn into the Driveway and go strait to the rear of the Public Safety Facility. Follow the signs.
From the East: Take State Highway 23 West into the City of Norwich. Turn Left onto State Highway 12 South. Go South through the City of Norwich to Walmart. At the intersection (Red Light) turn right onto County Road 46. It's the last building on the left. Turn into the Driveway and go strait to the rear of the Public Safety Facility. Follow the signs.
To register for FEMA Aid please call: 1-800-621-3362
For TTY users call: 1-800-462-7585
For Small Business Administration (SBA): 1-800-659-2955
For TTY users call: 1-800-877-8339
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Governor Cuomo Announces Disaster Food Stamp Benefits for Victims of Recent Storms
Albany, NY (September 22, 2011)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that disaster food stamp benefits are available to households in 15 counties hard-hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
The Disaster Food Stamp Benefits Program for residents in counties affected by Hurricane Irene is available starting today. Counties covered by the program include Albany, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, and Westchester. These counties will accept Disaster Food Stamp benefit applications for at least seven days beginning today.
The Disaster Food Stamp Benefits Program for residents in counties affected by Tropical Storm Lee is available starting Friday, September 23, in Broome, Delaware, Schenectady and Tioga counties, and on Monday, September 26, in Chenango and Otsego counties.
"The devastation caused by these storms has displaced many families from their homes and jobs, leaving them without food or the means to purchase food," Governor Cuomo said. "Families and individuals who normally would not seek food stamp benefits may find themselves in need of this temporary help. This emergency program will ensure that those who were most severely impacted by the storm will be able to provide for their families' nutritional needs as they continue to recover from this tragedy."
The federal government oversees the Food Stamp Program, which is operated in New York State by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
OTDA Executive Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Berlin said, "Because of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee even more New Yorkers are struggling to provide meals for their families. This Disaster Food Stamp Program will help lift some of the burden of those who are eligible. It is important that families act quickly to seek this help, as it is only available for a limited time. By contacting their local department of social services, people can find the location nearest them where they can apply."
Disaster food stamp benefits can be made available when the number of people applying for food stamp benefits increases rapidly and significantly as a result of an emergency or disaster. Under the Disaster Food Stamp Benefits Program, standard eligibility criteria are relaxed so that those who may not normally qualify for food stamps can receive help to purchase food. Verification rules are also eased, reducing administrative burdens as both local agencies and applicants may not have access to records normally used for verification in the aftermath of a disaster.
To qualify for disaster food stamp benefits, applicants:
- Must have lived in one of the designated counties at the time of the disaster. Applicants may be eligible
if they are temporarily living outside of the disaster area but within the State at the time of the disaster.
- Must plan on purchasing food during the month of September.
- Must have experienced at least one of the following:
- Loss of food or food stamp benefits.
- Damage to, or the destruction of, the household's home or self-employment business.
- Disaster-related expenses not expected to be reimbursed during the month of September (e.g. home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, etc.).
- Loss or inaccessibility of income including reduction or termination of income, or a delay in receipt of income for half a month.
- Inaccessible liquid resources (e.g. banks are closed due to the disaster).
To find out where to apply for disaster food stamp benefits, call 1-800-342-3009, or contact your local department of social services.
In Chenango County, applications for Disaster Food Stamps Benefits will be taken at the Department of Social Services located in the County Office Building in Norwich during regular office hours of 8:30am to 5pm, Mon - Fri, beginning Monday, 9/26/11 and ending at 5pm on Tuesday, 10/4/11. No appointment is necessary.
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New York State Health Department
has established a web site to assist citizens in their preparedness and recovery efforts assoicated with the flooding disaster. Click on the link below to view the inforamtion.
Storm Preparedness and Recovery
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GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES FEDERAL DISASTER AID APPROVED FOR COUNTIES AFFECTED BY RECENT TROPICAL STORM LEE FLOODING
Individual Assistance for Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Tioga Counties
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that federal disaster assistance is now available for homeowners, renters and small businesses in five counties affected by the recent flooding sustained by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.
"The recent flooding caused widespread damage across the Southern Tier and I thank FEMA for their prompt decision to help New Yorkers recover," Governor Cuomo said. "Throughout the past weeks the federal government has been a critical partner in our response to the recent storm damage inflicted by both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. All residents and small businesses who have suffered losses should call FEMA's registration number - 1-800-621-3362, or register online as soon as possible."
Under this declaration, residents and small businesses in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga counties are now eligible to apply for the following assistance: the Individuals and Households Program, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, USDA food coupons and distribution, USDA food commodities, Disaster Legal Services, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Small Business Administration disaster loans. The declaration also includes statewide implementation of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
State emergency officials are working closely with the state legislative delegation, including Senate Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous, to get the message out about the federal assistance that is available. Those who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
Additional counties may be made eligible for federal assistance as ongoing damage assessments are completed.
For additional information and applications, please click on the FEMA link.
Photos
Current Weather Advisories & River Forecasts
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Sale of Unapproved Fire Extinguishers in New York State
It has come to the Chenango County Bureau of Fire's attention through the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control that fire extinguishers, that do not meet the requirements of General Business Law section 391-j, are being offered for sale in New York State through various retail establishments.
The sale of fire extinguishers in the State of New York is governed by the General Business Law, section 391-j which provides that is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell or offer for sale, fire extinguishers unless the fire extinguishers offered for sale:
Meet the current National Fire Protection Association standards for fire extinguishers of the model offered for sale and are labeled as having met such standards;
- Have been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory, Factory Mutual or other nationally accredited or accepted testing laboratory and are labeled as having been tested and approved; and
- Have labeling securely affixed containing the following information:
- Operating instructions;
- The class or rating identifying kinds of fires which the particular extinguisher is suitable to be used on. This information shall be presented by use of the appropriate letter rating and pictorial marking representations; and
- Are accompanied with an instructional manual that has information detailing operational use, basic fire safety information, information on how and where to have the extinguisher serviced or recharged by an authorized dealer or refers the customer to his local fire department and any information pertaining to checking the extinguisher's contents for operational use by the owner.
The sale of unapproved fire extinguishers in New York, such as the Tundra, manufactured by BRK Brands and marketed by First Alert, is unlawful. A knowing violation is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars for a first violation and ten thousand dollars for each successive violation.
Fire officials are encouraged to share this information with retailers in their jurisdiction in an effort to prevent the sale of this prohibited product through awareness and education.
If you have further questions, please contact Chief Paul D. Martin of the Bureau of Fire Prevention at (518) 474-6746.
A PDF of this Safety Alert is posted under the "Safety Alerts" tab for your convenience to aid in distribution the all agencies and organizations in your region or jurisdiction.
Chenango County Fire & EMS Emailing System
The Chenango County Bureau of Fire has developed a mass emailing system where the Chenango County Emergency Responders may sign up and be kept up to date on State, County and Local Training Announcements, Events, other important safety information including "The Monitor" . If you are interested in receiving these emails, please click on the link below and sign up.
** This program is for Active Emergency Respnders only. All postings and applications will be monitored.***
Chenango County Fire / EMS email sign up
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The County of Chenango is a beautiful, rural agricultural community with numerous rolling hills and valleys. The Chenango County Bureau of Fire is dedicated to the safety and professional training of all 21 Fire and 22 EMS and First Responder agencies operating within Chenango County.
The members of these agencies are very dedicated individuals, most of whom volunteer their time and services to our community. These many dedicated women and men participate in countless hours of training and preparedness activities in the event of an emergency or disaster strikes within their jurisdiction.
We are very proud of all these individuals who are committed to our county and community. Without our volunteers and professional members the lives and property of our residences would be in grave jeopardy. I encourage you to contact your local Fire Department or Emergency Squad to learn more on how you can become involved or assist your local Emergency Services Agency.
The Chenango County Bureau of Fire is made up of many different divisons and responsibilities. Each of the 11 Deputy Coordinators has an assignment and oversees these programs. We have a Deputy Coordinator responsible for Administering the State and County Fire Training Program, Supervising the Fire Investigation Team which consists of 12 Certified Fire Investigators, other Deputy Coordinators oversee the Emergency Medical Services including providing EMS Training for our County Responders, Supervisor for Fire Prevention, Supervisor for Special Teams which include our County Search and Rescue Team, High Angle Team, Dive Team and County Hazmat Team and finally a Deputy Coordinator which helps to oversee our County's Communications System and working with each department to cooperatively purchase and standardize our agencies radio equipment.
We welcome you to tour our web site to learn more about our agency and the many divisions within the Chenango County Bureau of Fire.
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