January 12th, 2023
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today recognized more than 200 individuals from Monroe County agencies, the City of Rochester, town highway departments, police, fire and EMS agencies who assisted in the storm recovery effort in Erie County. The high winds, sub-zero wind chill and heavy snowfall claimed 42 lives.
“Our neighbors in Erie County were suffering and desperately needed help – that’s when County, City, fire, police, EMS and highway crews from all over Monroe County jumped into action to perform rescue operations,” said County Executive Bello. “Thank you to all our local first responders and crews who gave up their holiday weekend and put service before self to help those in need in Erie County.”
Many crews from Monroe County worked 12 hour shifts and logged thousands of hours of work to restore emergency services to residents trapped in their homes with no way to get food and medical attention. Crews helped clear city streets that were impassable due to the immense snowfall and deep snow drifts. Ambulance and fire crews responded to emergency calls and EMS crews utilized utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) to transport residents to aid.
Monroe County, City of Rochester and local town highways departments sent 37 pieces of heavy equipment, like front loaders and dump trucks, to assist in snow removal. This is in addition to the vehicles used to transport the equipment and personnel.
Monroe County Fire Departments that deployed to Erie County and the City of Buffalo helped those agencies respond to a myriad of calls for service. These included first response medical calls, vehicle fires, residential water problems, hazardous conditions, welfare checks with EMS and police, and other general fire responses to supplement the staffing within those respective districts.
“I could not be more proud of the workers from Rochester, Monroe County, our neighboring towns and villages, and government agencies from across New York State who responded to the tragic and historic blizzard in Buffalo to provide critical assistance,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Their selfless sense of service in the face of harsh and deadly conditions was truly awe inspiring.”
“We once again want to thank County Executive Bello for providing assistance as we dealt with what was an unprecedented situation,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “The individuals who assisted us last month were immediately involved in hands-on activities throughout the county wherever they were needed.”
The following agencies from Monroe County assisted in the storm response:
- Monroe County Office of Emergency Management
- Monroe County Department of Transportation
- Monroe County Department of Environmental Services
- Monroe County Parks Department
- Monroe County Fire Bureau
- Rochester Fire Department & Monroe County Special Operations Unit
- Monroe County Emergency Medical Services
- City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services
- Rochester Police Department
- Penfield Volunteer Ambulance
- CHS Mobile Integrated Healthcare
- Brighton Fire District
- Chili Fire Department
- Gates Fire District
- Henrietta Fire District
- Lake Shore Fire District
- Point Pleasant Fire District
- Ridge Road Fire District
- Spencerport Fire District
- East Rochester Fire District
- Town of Chili Highway Department
- Town of Gates Highway Department
- Town of Webster Highway Department
- Town of Ogden Highway Department
- Town of Brighton Highway Department
- Town of Perinton Highway Department
