Provided photo: Pictured from left: Ruben Estrada, Director of Health Equity for the Orange County Dept. of Health; Senator Rob Ortt; and Dr. Eli Avila, Orange County Department of Health Commissioner.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt’s Office

State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) on Wednesday thanked a pair of advocates who are pushing for change that would make communities safer and help to save lives.

Ortt worked with the Orange County Health Department to craft legislation that would designate licensed physicians and first responders employed by a municipal police department or a sheriff’s office as armed peace officers.

Recruited doctors, paramedics and EMTs would act as special police officers during active shooter situations, or imminent threats of violence and help to efficiently respond to an emergency. The trained medical professional would treat those with serious injuries on site, and as a designated peace officer, would be allowed to carry a firearm as they secure the area, neutralize the threat and provide care.

Senator Ortt introduced the bill (S.6643) earlier this year with Assemblyman Robert J. Rodriguez. The bill however, was held up in committee during this past legislative session.

“A few police departments, including North Tonawanda, already employ physicians on their SWAT teams in the event someone is seriously harmed, but those physicians cannot enter a hot zone or warm zone with the team to provide immediate assistance,” Senator Ortt said. “This bill would change that, and allow licensed medical professionals to protect themselves as they put their lives on the line to save others. It would ensure vital safeguards are in place and could mean the difference between life and death for our officers, medical professionals, and innocent bystanders. I want to thank Dr. Eli Avila and Mr. Estrada for their commitment to seeing this legislation through.”

Assemblyman Rodriguez, District 68 East Harlem/El Barrio, Central Harlem and the Upper Eastside, said, “Arming trained and certified medical professionals while they are deployed during active shooter situations will provide increased safety to innocent bystanders, police officers, and the physicians. This is only common sense, when the physicians are in the field they cannot effectively save lives while they are simultaneously facing a threat on their own lives without means to protect themselves.”

Orange County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Eli Avila said, “Tragically, active shootings have become increasingly common in our American society. Current studies based on active shootings show that in states where trained medical professionals are designated peace officers, armed and integrated into responding law enforcement teams that enter Warm/Hot Zones, victim and law enforcement survival rates are significantly increased.  Senator Ortt’s bill astutely addresses New York State’s current preparedness void with the addition of Tactical Emergency Medical Support personnel to the New York Criminal Procedure Law, which designates who may be a “Peace Officer.” This proposed law will allow Police Chiefs and Sheriffs throughout all of New York State to recruit and train designated medical personnel, such as Physicians, Paramedics, and EMTs as part of their local SWAT teams and to minimize loss of life during these disasters.”

Director of Health Equity for the Orange County Dept. of Health Ruben Estrada said, “This bill is long overdue. Senator Ortt and Assemblyman Rodriguez recognize the importance of this bill, and I’m hopeful the rest of the state legislators will recognize that too and pass it. Ultimately, this bill will help protect children, families and communities and most importantly, it will save lives.”

Professions that currently have peace officer status include court officers, parole officers, probation officers, special deputy sheriffs, special patrolman, court officers in various counties and others.

To become a peace officer, licensed physicians would have to be selected and employed by a police chief or sheriff, and complete training programs similar to those of other law enforcement officers. They would then be deputized as a SWAT team officer, and deployed with their local law enforcement agency during potentially dangerous and violent situations.

Currently, trained medical professionals employed by a law enforcement agency are not authorized to enter a “hot zone” or “warm zone” to treat victims. Having a peace officer classification would change that.

According to Dr. Avila, in states, such as Texas, where trained medical professionals are armed and allowed to move with teams in “hot zones,” the survival rate is significantly increased. An incident, for example, where the outcome could have been different for one victim is the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

A report from the Colorado Governor’s Columbine Review Commission showed that the most tragic example of the problems for EMTs was their inability to bring medical assistance quickly to a teacher who had been seriously wounded by shotgun blast. As a result, the teacher bled to death.

The Commission Review concluded that SWAT teams should include one or more members with emergency medical training to minimize the time interval between a SWAT team’s arrival and primary treatment of injured victims.

The peace officer bill will be reintroduced once legislative session resumes in January.

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CARLTON – The Brown family will once again host a 5-kilometer race next Saturday as a fund-raiser for Hospice of Orleans County. The 5K also is a “Memory Walk” where people are encouraged to walk or run in honor of a loved one.

Provided photo: The Oct. 8 race at Brown’s Berry Patch also will honor Libby Jurs, a popular Kendall nurse.

The Brown family started hosting the race and event in 1996 and has raised nearly $40,000 for Hospice in 20 years.

“Hospice is such a wonderful asset for the community,” said Margy Brown, race organizer. “Until it touches you, you don’t know how valuable it is.”

This year’s race is in honor of Libby Jurs, a beloved school nurse at Kendall who died last Dec. 12 after a long battle with ovarian cancer and, more recently, leukemia. Jurs was a life-long resident of this area and a commissioned Lay Pastor for the Presbytery of Genesee Valley. Her son Josh worked for the Brown family at their fruit farm.

“She loved kids – kids always came first,” Margy Brown said about Jurs, who worked 24 years as a school nurse.

Brown said there has already been strong community support for the Oct. 8 event, with more than 20 sponsors coming forward.

The walk/run begins at noon. The Albion Running Club is a co-sponsor for the event. Click here to see more about the race or to register on-line, or call Hospice at 585.589.0809.

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By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for Orleans County

September is National Preparedness Month! In our area we generally think of snow and ice-related emergencies, however it is also important to be ready for threats caused by flooding, high winds, earthquakes, fires, chemical spills and infectious diseases.

Thankfully, getting prepared for all types of emergencies is made easier with the assistance of Mobile Apps like Ready Genesee, Orleans Aware and FEMA.

These apps are similar in nature in that all connect consumers to weather alerts, planning features and information on available shelters. Apps like these are user-friendly and give consumers the tools to take part in their own preparedness, which will positively impact the outcome of any emergency.

If you live, work, or visit Genesee or Orleans Counties download the Ready Genesee (click here) and Orleans Aware (click here) Apps, which are available on apple and android devices, as well as in English and Spanish too.

“The Emergency Management Offices and Health Departments in both counties teamed up to have these apps made available in an effort to have a local focus,” said Bill Schutt, Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management Services. “County officials can use this app not only to get information to users before, during, and after emergencies in a more direct and modern way but also to share knowledge on a regular basis too.

“Since Ready Genesee and Orleans Aware became available to download earlier this year, the counties have utilized the apps to notify users of road closings, a boil water notice, a gas leak, rabies clinics, as well as sharing of informational articles on the recent drought, Zika virus, Lyme Disease and lightning safety,” Schutt said.

If you don’t travel to either county, the FEMA app is a good, reputable option too but it is important to note that users will not receive notifications or general information from their county officials, stated Schutt.

Features of Ready Genesee and Orleans Aware Mobile Apps

My Plan: By answering five simple questions, the app will create a customized emergency supply checklist and plan based on your family’s needs, including pets and relatives with special needs.

Alerts: Get information from the National Weather Service and local county officials.  Local officials can instantly inform you of situations including, but not limited to, road closings, evacuation notices, boil water notices, gas leaks, an active shooter or missing persons.

My Status: With the push of a button let friends and loved ones know “I’m Safe” or “I Need Help.”

EvacMap & Shelters: Find evacuation routes and shelters with on and offline mapping.

Need to Know: E-books on various topics including Public Health Emergencies, Need to Know Preparedness for Pet Owners, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Floods and Fire Safety.

Services: Have contact information to services helpful in an emergency

“The full potential of these new apps will be recognized more so as different emergencies arise and I predict that utilization will increase too,” stated Al Cheverie, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Genesee and Orleans. “After downloading your App, please take the time to collect the emergency supplies for your home and car.  Being ill prepared for a situation where you are unable to leave your house or car can be dangerous if certain supplies such as necessary medications, blankets, food and water aren’t on hand.”

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By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator in Orleans; Kristine Voos, Public Health Educator in Genesee; and Sarah Stendt, Public Health Intern

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County Health Departments encourage healthy choices that can benefit you, your family as well as the whole community. Immunizations are commonly thought to be needed only in the early years of childhood. However, they are for everyone at any age!

When you think of immunizations, the most common one that may come to mind is the seasonal flu vaccine. You may also think about vaccines that are required for children before going back to school. Just as children need vaccines to protect against diseases; it is also important for you as an adult.

Staying up-to-date on your vaccinations as an adult can prevent unnecessary illness, infection to others, medical bills, and inability to care for your family. With busy fall schedules, immunizations may be the last item on your to-do list.

However, each year adults that don’t update their immunizations suffer from diseases that could have been prevented. These include influenza (flu), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, meningitis, shingles and Human papillomavirus (HPV).

You want to be sure to check your immunization record to make sure these are updated as well as varicella (chicken pox) and measles, mumps and rubella. The types of vaccines that you need are different for everyone and it may depend on a number of different factors. These include your age, existing health conditions, work requirements, childhood immunizations and travel outside of the United States. Visit your healthcare provider to learn which ones are best for you!

If you have not had a pneumonia shot, please talk to your provider about what age you should receive it, as it may vary for each person depending on their risk factors. Among all of the vaccines listed above, two vaccines that all adults should have include a yearly flu shot and Tdap Vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). All adults who have not yet received a dose of Tdap, as an adolescent or adult, need to get Tdap vaccine (the adult whooping cough vaccine).

Pregnant women need a dose in every pregnancy. After that, you will need a Td booster dose every 10 years. Boosters are needed more often in order for the vaccine to be effective. Even if you’ve had these vaccines before, the level of protection decreases over time.

“Overall, vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect against diseases that are all around us,” stated Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “They help you prevent spreading diseases to those that are at risk the most for complications; infants, older adults, those with chronic health conditions including asthma, diabetes as well as those who have compromised immune systems (such as cancer or HIV/AIDS). You may think that getting vaccines may not do a whole lot but in reality they are the greatest tool to prevent outbreaks of very serious and deadly diseases. If we don’t continue to update immunizations, outbreaks may become more common.”

Unsure of where to get immunized? Doctor’s offices, pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics and Health Departments are available to find the best options that work for you! Contact your Local Health Department for more information and any questions you may have.

For information about health department services contact the Orleans County Health Department at 589-3278; Genesee County Health Department at 344-2580 ext. 5555; and the Wyoming County Health Department at 786-8890.

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed landmark legislation (S.8158/A.10740) mandating that schools across the state test drinking water for lead contamination. Lead is a toxic material that is extremely harmful to young children and can result in lowered IQ, behavioral problems and brain damage.

The state Department of Health also issued emergency regulations pursuant to the new legislation, requiring that school districts test their water for lead contamination by Oct. 31, 2016 and report results to parents, the state Department of Health and local government officials. These new regulations will reduce the risk for exposure to this dangerous substance and ensure all New York’s students have access to clean, drinkable water.

“These rigorous new protections for New York’s children include the toughest lead contamination testing standards in the nation, and provide clear guidance to schools on when and how they should test their water,” Governor Cuomo said. “As children begin another school year, I’m proud to sign this legislation, which marks a major step forward in protecting the public health and ensuring the future growth and success of students across the state.”

Previously, schools in New York were not required to test their drinking water for lead, or notify parents or government officials of results, Cuomo’s office said in a news release this afternoon. Testing was voluntary and administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

This method of voluntary testing without enforceable standards has demonstrated the clear need for direction by the state to New York schools on when, what and how to sample drinking water for lead. This new legislation requires all school districts in New York State to test potable water for lead contamination, and to develop and implement a lead remediation plan where necessary.

Pursuant to the accompanying regulations, samples collected must be 250 ml and taken from a cold water outlet where the water has been motionless in the pipes for a minimum of 8 hours but not more than 18 hours.

“With this new law and accompanying regulations, New York is taking a monumental step forward toward protecting our children from lead, which can cause devastating and lifelong consequences to those who have been exposed,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. “We look forward to working with our state’s schools to ensuring that their drinking water is safe from lead.”

By Sept. 30, 2016, all school buildings serving children in pre-kindergarten through grade five must collect a sample from each identified sampling location for testing. Any schools serving children in grades six through twelve that are not also serving children in younger grades must complete collection of samples by Oct. 31, 2016. For new schools which begin operations after the effective date of this regulation, initial samples must be performed prior to occupancy.

Under the regulations, schools are required to report all lead test results to the state Department of Health via a designated statewide electronic reporting system. If lead levels are detected above 15 parts per billion at any potable water outlet, the school must discontinue use of that outlet, implement a lead remediation plan to mitigate the lead level, and provide building occupants with an adequate alternate supply of water for cooking and drinking.

Schools must report the exceedance to the local health department within one business day. Test results must also be provided in writing to all staff and parents no more than 10 business days after receiving the report. Schools must post the results of all lead testing and any remediation plans on its website as soon as possible but no more than six weeks after the school received the laboratory reports.

Once test results indicate that lead levels are below the action level, schools may resume use of the water outlet. For schools that performed testing and remediation at buildings after Jan. 1, 2015, and that complies with these regulations, those buildings do not need to be retested.

Schools may also be eligible for a waiver for testing school buildings, if the school can demonstrate that they performed testing and remediation that substantially complies with the regulations, and that lead levels in the building’s potable water are below the action level.

Schools will be required to collect samples every five years, at a minimum, after the initial testing or at a time determined by the Commissioner of Health. All samples will be analyzed by a lab approved by the Department’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program.

Although laws now limit the amount of lead in new plumbing equipment, materials installed before 1986 may contain significant amounts of lead. Federal laws in 1986 required that only “lead-free” materials be used in new plumbing and plumbing fixtures but still allowed certain fixtures with up to 8 percent lead to be labeled “lead free.”

Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2011 appropriately redefined the meaning of “lead free.” Even so, it’s possible that older plumbing may leach lead into the drinking water.

Facilities such as schools, which typically have intermittent water use patterns, are more likely to have elevated levels of lead due to prolonged water contact with plumbing materials, Cuomo’s office said. This source is increasingly being recognized across the nation as a contribution to a child’s overall lead exposure.

“Thank you to Governor Cuomo for signing this critical legislation into law,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. “It’s a landmark achievement and we’re hopeful that this action in New York will lead to action in other states to protect children.”