CMYK
A2 Thursday, April 16, 2020
The Avon Fire Department is headquartered at 74 Genesee
St., along the traffic circile in the village of Avon.
Departments share a legacy of service
COVID-19 crisis brings changes to operations, but commitment is unwavering
BY KORI SCIANDRA
AND BEN BEAGLE
news@livingstonnews.com
F
ire departments have a
long history of service in
Livingston County and
while the current COVID-19
pandemic has brought some
changes in how the depart-
ment’s operating – following
new recommendations and
guidelines in response to the
virus – they continue their
dedication to meeting their
communities’ needs.
As you read these capsules
you’ll learn how these depart-
ments are moving forward,
while acknowledging their
legacy.
Avon Fire Department
With 40 members, the Avon
Fire Department responded to
142 calls last year.
Officers include Chief Brian
Strozewski, First Assistant
Chief Dan Snyder, Second
Assistant Chief William Boyd,
First Lt. George Stezzano,
Second Lt. Joellen Nichols.
“We’re here to help our
community the best that we
can,” said Strozewski.
The Avon Fire Department
is comprised of two compa-
nies, the William VanZandt
Hose Company, which began
in 1876, and the Avon Pumper
Company, founded in 1928.
Caledonia Fire Department
The Caledonia Fire Depart-
ment continues to operate the
same way it normally does,
despite adjustments due to
COVID-19. While the depart-
ment is following the new
guidelines in place due to the
pandemic, the department
is still prepared to respond
when needed. The department
always puts the safety and
health of students, community
and members first and will
continue to do so in the future.
The Caledonia Fire Depart-
ment will continue to provide
the best emergency services
possible throughout this time.
For any non-emergency ques-
tions feel free to contact the
department at (585) 538-6130
and remember to call 911 if
you have an emergency.
The Caledonia Fire Depart-
ment, which was founded in
1887, is a volunteer organiza-
tion of professionals, dedicated
to protecting the community,
providing fire response, rescue
services, disaster response,
education, and support to the
residents of the Caledonia Fire
District and surrounding com-
munities.
Officers for 2020 are Chief
RJ Kantowski III, Deputy
Chief Tim Beavers, Deputy
Chief John Murray, Captain
Mike Knutowicz, Captain
Andrew Carpino, Lieutenant
Sam D’Agostino, and Lieuten-
ant Nick Mesiti.
Conesus Fire Department
The Conesus Fire Depart-
ment is led by Chief Rachel
Halpenny.
The department put a brand-
new Pierce Pumper 1,500-gal-
lon Freightliner, Pumper 344,
into service in May 2019. The
Avon Fire Department Photograph
truck replaced a pumper/tanker
that was nearly 25 years old.
The department’s first fire
truck, a 1934 Dodge that has
been restored, is on display
in its own building adjacent
to the fire house, 6073 South
Livonia Rd., Conesus.
Cuylerville Fire Department
The Cuylerville Fire Depart-
ment was founded Aug. 9,
1923. It has been housed in
three different locations and
currently resides on Canandai-
gua Street. There was a large
addition added in 2010. The
addition houses vehicle bays,
offices, a kitchen, two bath-
rooms, and a large meeting
space that can be rented out.
In March 2019, Cuylerville
went from an ambulance
company to a Certified First
Responding Agency with two
EMTs, four Certified First
Responders, and four that have
taken the class but are waiting
to test.
Not only has there been a
large influx in both fire and
EMS calls – 297 in 2019 from
157 in 2018 –there has also
been a significant increase in
members, with 15 new mem-
bers during the past year.
This past summer the
department hosted a kid’s day
event that they hope to make
bigger and better this year.
“We have many new ideas
that we are working on,” the
department said.
The department’s biggest
annual community event is
in December when the mem-
bers decorate all the response
vehicles with thousands of
lights, blow up decorations,
and music. One of the trucks is
even transformed into a train,
with working smoke. They are
then driven around town for
everyone to enjoy. People wait
outside in large groups to see
them go by and often bring
treats to members.
Cuylerville Fire Depart-
ment is made up of about 70
A Caledonia Fire Department is shown near the village vet-
erans memorial landmark.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The Cuylerville Fire Department decorates its trucks for Christmas every year and the whole
town comes outside to participate as the trucks drive by.
A front view of the Dansville Fire Department’s new tanker
truck, 516. The truck carries 3,000 gallons of water.
lifetime and active members.
This includes current line
officers Chief Jamie Watson,
First Assistant Chief Tim
Archibald, Second Assistant
Chief Frank Radesi, First Lt.
Joey Semmel, and EMS coor-
dinator Jennifer Johnson.
The department has had
as many as four generations
pass through and members
who have served well over 50
years.
Dansville Fire Department
In June 2019, the Dansville
Fire Department was happy to
announce delivery of its new
Tanker 516. The new tanker
was built by Rosenbauer on
a Freightliner chassis, carries
3,000 gallons of water and
Caledonia Fire Department Photograph
Dansville Fire Department Photograph
will help establish an initial
water supply for firefighting in
rural areas without fire hydrant
access, as well as, transport-
ing a large volume of water
from water supply sites to the
fire-ground. The tanker is also
equipped with a fire pump
and hose lines to enable it to
be a stand-alone pumper or
firefighting apparatus when
needed.
The new tanker replaces the
old pumper 516 and has been
a great asset to the community
and surrounding communities.
Recently the fire department
purchased new rescue equip-
ment including multiple climb-
ing/repelling ropes and acces-
sories. This equipment along
with the current items we
have will help with rescues in
The Conesus Fire Department’s newest truck is a 2018
Freightliner Pierce pumper which went into service in May
2019. The truck replaced a 25-year-old pumper/tanker.
Cuylerville Fire Department Photograph
Stoney Brook park, or for res-
cues like we had last summer
at Sugar Creek Glen Camp-
ground for multiple reports of
people who had been hiking in
the creek when a flash flood
developed and stranded them.
Multiple groups in several
locations on both sides of the
creek were trapped between
the steep ravine walls and the
creek that was running high
and very fast due to heavy
rains.
In 2019, the department
received two grants, which
allowed for the purchase of the
following:
n New Vetter T12 rescue air
bags and accessories. With this
grant the department was able
to replace old equipment on
Rescue 519.
n Purchase new forestry/
wild land firefighting equip-
ment such as Indian water fire
pump backpack tanks axes/
forestry brooms and hose
adapters for 512. A 2,100-gal-
lon portable pond was also
purchased with the grant. This
equipment will help replace
old equipment.
The Dansville Fire depart-
ment responded to a total of
257 calls in 2019, ranging
from automatic fire and carbon
monoxide alarms, automotive
accidents, fires and rescues.
Officers include Chief
Livingston County News
Conesus Fire Department Photograph
Glenn Camuto, Assistant Chief
Brian Wood, Assistant Chief
Greg Horr, Captain Joe Snyder
(Rescue), Captain Matt Sny-
der, Captain Bryan Buckel, Lt.
Jake Smith, Lt. Cory Chase,
and Lt. Tim Kessler.
East Avon Fire Department
With 70 members, the
East Avon Fire Department
responded to 275 calls in
2019, with an additional 20 to
30 chief investigations.
The department was recently
approved to receive a demon-
stration truck.
“We were really lucky to
get this truck. This was a sig-
nificant savings for the depart-
ment as well,” said Chief
Christopher Batzel.
The new truck is equipped
with a compressed air foam
system, which was built by
W.S. Darley and Company.
The system allows firefighters
to fight fires with compressed
air foam and less water.
“It’s a very advanced sys-
tem,” said Batzel.
The department will receive
the truck sometime in May
and intends to put the truck
into service in June.
The department is also look-
ing to do some remodeling at
Station 1. The building is 16
years old and could use some
cosmetic updates since it was
built in 2004.
Additionally, the department
was able to add a vehicle for
the chief, which they pur-
chased from a neighboring
department.
Fundraisers are cancelled
through early summer, but the
department is hoping to host
its November Turkey Raffle.
“We’re going to keep doing
the same thing we’ve always
done,” Batzel said. “We are
just taking more precautions
for both your safety and ours
to mitigate the spread of the
(COVID-19) virus.”
See FIRE A5

Livingston County News
Services continue amid changing industry
BY KORI SCIANDRA
AND BEN BEAGLE
news@livingstonnews.com
A
mbulance servies in
Livingston County
have undergone signifi-
cant change in recent years as
services have closed and given
their coverage areas to other
agencies.
Livingston County EMS
took over emergency medi-
cal coverage of Avon in April
2019 after Avon Rotary Lions
Ambulance Service dissolved
following months of talks
among stakeholders about
how to ensure high quality
ambulance service to Avon as
the financial situation of the
existing ambulance service
deteriorated.
The decision, which officials
said was “very hard,” results
in Livingston County EMS
becoming the primary agency
dispatched to all calls for an
ambulance in the town and vil-
lage of Avon.
Here’s a capsule look at
selected ambulance companies
(others may be found in the
fire department capsules):
CHS Mobile
Integrated Healthcare
CHS Mobile Integrated
Healthcare recently completed
its second year of operations in
Livingston County. CHS took
over the operations of Genesee
Valley Emergency Medical
Services on March 26, 2018.
GVEMS, which had oper-
ated as Caledonia Ambulance,
had ceased operations in the
face of rising operating costs
and manpower struggles.
GVEMS had previously
served the Caledonia and
Mumford fire districts and the
towns of Caledonia and York.
CHS itself is a little more
than three years old, having
formed in January 2017 from
the merger of ambulance ser-
vices in Chili, Henrietta and
Scottsville.
CHS offers numerous train-
ing opportunities for its staff,
the greater community and
other healthcare providers.
Its focus remains community
service, which includes emer-
gency services, community
CPR/AED and first aid train-
ing, EMT and paramedic train-
ing, community paramedicine,
blood pressure clinics, and
health fair participation.
CHS operates 20 vehicles
with about 100 personnel.
The agency responds to about
10,000 calls per year. In addi-
tion to volunteers, the depart-
ment has full- and part-time
staff members, as well as, per-
diem EMTs and paramedics.
The private not-for-profit
organization is comprised of
EMTs, nurses, engineers, stu-
dents, and even assembly line
workers. Many people have
begun their career at CHS and
went on to pursue a career in
medicine.
Dansville Ambulance
October 1968 was the date
the Dansville Ambulance
Company was formed.
“Ambulance service” in the
1950s and 1960s was first han-
dled by local funeral homes
and later the Dansville Police
Department, under the Dans-
ville Health Department. The
four companies that comprised
the Dansville Fire Department,
formed a fifth company known
as the Dansville Ambulance
Company and began transport-
The Dansville Ambulance Company and several staff members serve on-site for a tractor pull
at Dansville Municipal Airport in 2019. It’s one of many events the agency staffs.
ing patients in a white station
wagon.
As time passed, a sepa-
rate garage was built for an
ambulance, and the Dansville
Lions Club joined forces with
Ambulance Company mem-
bers, for a door-to-door fund-
raising campaign to purchase a
new, proper ambulance.
Soon, there were two
ambulances to serve the ever-
growing need for the service.
A couple hundred calls a year
and a steady increase each
year started to strain available
human resources. Originally
all ambulance members where
firemen. A change was made
to allow men and women to
join the ambulance company
without also being firefighters.
In the mid-1990s, the ambu-
lance company received the
combined estate of Emma
Evans and Frances Woolever,
that allowed the current station
to be built at 18 Ossian St.,
Dansville. In the late-1990s,
the ambulance company
formally separated from the
fire department, to become a
standalone company.
Dansville was the first EMS
agency in Livingston County
to reach the 1,000 call per
year mark. Today, the agency
receives 1,400 dispatches a
year, operating two certified
Basic Life Support ambulanc-
es, a certified first responder
truck, a John Deere Gator for
off-road rescues and fire scene
support, and an MCI/Mass
Gathering Trailer.
The agency’s coverage area
is a district of more than 100
square miles and includes all
or part of six townships in two
counties, as well as the village
of Dansville.
The ambulance company
drills with all the fire depart-
ments within its coverage area
and has a great working rela-
tionship with them.
In 2019, Dansville Ambu-
lance received 1,407 calls for
service, covering 98 percent
with a staff of fewer than 50
members.
The 98 percent coverage
rate shows how dedicated the
members are, ambulance com-
pany officials said.
Twelve members responded
to more than 100 calls each
last year.
Dansville Ambulance has
a primary crew on schedule
– as close to 24/7 as it can –
are able to crew up a second
ambulance with little issues.
The agency also staffs major
community events such as the
Dogwood Festival in May,
CMYK
AMBULANCES
tractor pulls in June, the Poags
Hole Hill Climb in August, the
three-day New York State Fes-
tival of Balloons on Labor Day
weekend and all Dansville
Central School home football
games.
Operational officers for
2020 include Floyd Sick,
director of operations;
Tanya Tatu, deputy director;
Capt. Robert Smith; Lt. Len
Saluzzo; andLt. Ryan Backus.
Business officers are President
Shannon Griese, Vice Presi-
dent Skip Wolfe, Secretary
Lindley Conte, Treasurer Jes-
sica Backus, Deputy Treasurer
John Seward, and Trustees
Greg Horr and Jerry Jackson.
Lima Volunteer Ambulance
Lima Volunteer Ambulance
is in its 73rd years of servings
its community.
What began around 1937
as the Lima Fire Department
Auxiliary Ambulance housed
on East Main Street Lima in
the “Old Fire House” has blos-
somed into a two ambulance
organization housed in its own
base just west of the Village of
Lima and known as the Lima
Volunteer Ambulance.
In the beginning, a Cadil-
lac ambulance was used. One
fireman would drive while
another trained in only basic
first aid would care for the
patient in the back. Today, the
agency has 32 members with
14 as EMTs.
Lima Ambulance, which
had averaged around 300 calls
a year, has seen increases in
recent years, with more than
500 calls in 2018.
Like many other agencies
Lima covets new members so
it can staff its rigs and answer
each and every call, said Res-
cue Chief Scott Domuracki,
noting that free training is
available.
Livonia Ambulance Corps
The Livonia Ambulance
Corps is a culmination of the
concepts of integrity, service,
and exceptional care for their
community. Staffed entirely
Thank You
To All The
First Responders!
We
We Appreciate
Appreciate All
All
That
That You
You Do!
Do!
Dansville Ambulance Company Photograph
by volunteers, the corps speaks
volumes of the dedication
and compassion of the people
involved. As put by one of
the members, “we are simply
neighbors helping neighbors.”
Such a simple concept has
given the agency the ability to
answer more than 1,200 calls
on average per year.
Officers include Director
of Operations Larry Eber-
sold, Deputy Director Jon
Mohnkern, and the Chief of
ALS Trisha Sparks.
In December, Livona
Ambulance lost its beloved
captain of 10 years, Ed Sparks,
who died at age 56. Members
said they hope to continue to
serve the community to the
caliber set by Ed, who started
as an ambulance driver in
1994 and later became a para-
medic and director of opera-
tions. Members said they also
want to grow the agency’s
program to meet the needs of
those they assist.
Livonia Ambulance Corps
offers a variety of certifica-
tions to those interested,
including American Heart
Association CPR, AED and
first aid classes.
Members said they are look-
ing forward to the future of
the agency and the potential it
has to continue its mission of
service.
The agency is always look-
ing for new members and are
open to anyone who is willing
to give their time.
Mount Morris Ambulance
Mount Morris Ambulance
primarily covers the Town and
Village of Mount Morris. It
also will provide mutual aid
to neighboring communities if
needed.
The agency has 13 EMTs
and nine drivers. Its members
responded to 1,364 calls for
assists in 2019.
The ambulance also pro-
vides standby coverage for
some of its local events.
Mount Morris Ambulance is
awaiting delivery of two 2020
Ford Transit vans, which will
Tire & Farm Service, Inc.
21 Main Street,
Livonia, NY
Monday-Friday 7am-5pm
585.346.3041
briggstire@gmail.com
County EMS delivers
training and care
Livingston County
Emergency Medical Ser-
vices provides Advanced
and Basic Life Support
Services throughout Liv-
ingston County.
The agency has primary
coverage in the towns of
Avon, Groveland, Leices-
ter, and Springwater, as
well as, weekdays in the
town of York.
Livingston County
EMS providers also give
medical support to the
county Hazardous Mate-
rials Response Team and
Livingston County Sher-
iff’s Office SWAT Team.
It also has an interfacil-
ity transfer program which
transports patients from
Noyes Memorial Hospital
to other facilities in West-
ern New York. The trans-
fers include critically ill or
injured patients cared for
by specialty care-trained
paramedics. The agency
was dispatched 5,697 times
in 2019.
Livingston County EMS
is a state Department of
Health training center for
Emergency Medical Tech-
nicians and Certified First
Responders. The center
An ambulance and fly car from the Livingston County
Emergency Medical Services fleet.
replace the 2015 and 2016
Transit vans the ambulance
currently operates.
Nunda Volunteer
Ambulance
The Nunda Volunteer
Ambulance Service was
organized more than 50 years
Thursday, April 16, 2020 A3
also offers American Heart
Association courses in
CPR and AED training.
In June 2019 Livings-
ton County completed a
grant program through the
Greater Rochester Health
Foundation in which com-
munity-dwelling older
adults discharged home
from hospital emergency
departments received a fol-
low up from a Livingston
County EMS paramedic.
The paramedic met with
patients in an effort to
help them improve their
outcomes and reduce or
prevent repeat emergency
department visits. Livings-
ton County EMS has since
transitioned to its own
Community Paramedic
Program.
In the summer of 2019
construction began on new
EMS buildings as part of
the Emergency Operations
Center expansion. The
main building will have
offices for staff, a training
room, and storage for vehi-
cles, supplies and equip-
ment. An adjacent struc-
ture will hold additional
ambulances and fly cars.
Livingston County Photograph
ago in 1967. Its intent was to
serve the residents of Nunda.
Since then, the department
has grown to cover Nunda,
Dalton, Portage and part of
Grove. The agency has two
ambulances and 24 members.
Nunda Volunteer Ambulance
responds to an average of 440
calls per year.
 CMYK

A4 Thursday, April 16, 2020 Livingston County News

LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Sheriff’s Office looks out for residents in pandemic

BY THE LCN STAFF
Led by Sheriff Thomas J. Dough-
erty, the mission of the Livings-
ton County Sheriff’s Office is
to preserve the rights of citizens
and reduce fear in the community
through prevention of crime, pro-
tection of persons, property and
the maintenance of order in public
places, and anticipate and respond
to events that threaten public order
and the protection of life and prop-
erty.
And that doesn’t stop during a
pandemic.
Dougherty, in a message to the
community, asked resident to help
his department ensure the county’s
elderly remain OK during the pan-
demic.
“If you can safely check on your
aging neighbors while keeping your
six feet of safety, please do. If you
cannot or are unable to and feel
a wellness check is appropriate,
please call (585) 243-7100 and we
will send a Deputy Sheriff out to
check on them,” Dougherty said.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office protects and serves its community
through a variety of accredited divisions.
“Also, if you find they need
special services (grocery shopping
assistance, doctors’ appointments,
Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Photograph
transportation etc.) please contact
us and we can coordinate with our
county partners and/or our Commu-
nity Policing Unit to make special
arrangements,” he said.
“We are all in this together and
being a good neighbor is what Liv-
ingston County is built on,” he said.
If you have additional sugges-
tions on how your Sheriff’s Office
can best serve you and our county,
please email me anytime at tdough-
erty@co.livingston.ny.us or call
(585) 243-7100.
The Sheriff’s Office has been
fully accredited across each of its
divisions in 2005. These include the
Communications, Police Services,
Corrections, Civil and Court divi-
sions. The department is one of a
small number of Sheriff’s Offices
in New York that have achieved
and maintained accreditation across
all five of the offices’ division.
Drug Task Force a ‘team effort’
Livingston County relaunched
its drug task force in 2013 with the
intent to bring a more formalized,
proactive approach among local,
county, state and federal agencies
that serve county residents.
The Livingston County Drug
Task Force allows for improved
communication among the agen-
cies and the ability to marshal more
resources than individual depart-
ments can do on their own.
Dougherty has said that the root
cause of most violent crimes in
Livingston County is drugs. The
consolidated drug task force, he has
said, “is a good example of team
effort.”
The Task Force includes law
enforcement representatives from
the Livingston County Sheriff’s
Office, police departments in Avon,
Caledonia, Dansville, Geneseo,
Mount Morris and Nunda, and the
Livingston County District Attor-
ney’s Office.
Residents may contact the Sher-
iff’s Office at (585) 243-7100 or
online at http://www.livingston-
county.us/Sheriff under the “TAKE
ACTION/TIP LINE.”

POLICE

Departments share commitment to community

BY KORI SCIANDRA AND ing a copy of a police report in 2018.
BRENDAN MCDONOUGH is asked to email sgriese@ Also down was the number
news@livingstonnews.com dansvilleny.us. of parking tickets issued in
2019, to 4,477 compared to

S
ix Livingston County
communities have their
own police departments.
The departments in Avon,
Caledonia, Dansville, Gen-
eseo, Mount Morris and
Nunda represent a variety
of sizes in staff and activity.
They respond to a variety
of calls – from assisting the
public to investigating crimes
– and several provide school
resource officers to their
local school district.
All share a commitment to
community-focused policing,
which emphasizes interact-
ing with residents outside of
emergency or criminal situ-
ations.
Here’s a capsule look:
Avon Police
The Avon Police Depart-
ment embarked on its 81st
year of service this year. The
department, which is led by
Chief Joseph Geer, serves
a population of about 3,500
people with eight officers,
including a school resource
officer.
The department handled
about 2,000 calls for service
in 2018.
The origins of the depart-
ment can be traced back to
1939, with a news article that
references the naming of a
new police chief. The depart-
ment continues to serve its
community to the best of
their ability.
Caledonia Police
The Caledonia Police
Department, established in
1891, serves about 2,200
residents who live within 10
square miles of the village.
Jared Passamonte is lead-
ing the department as the
officer in charge, taking the
role in 2019 after former
Caledonia Police Chief took
over as chief of the Fishers.
“I would just like the com-
munity to know our door is
always open at the police
department for everything
and anything and the big
thing is we are here to help
out in any way we can if
The Dansville Police Department is one of the busiest departments in Livingston County,
responding to more than 4,000 calls annually.
somebody is having a prob-
lem or any issues,” Passa-
monte told The Livingston
County News in an October
2019 interview. “We have
a school resource officer at
Caledonia-Mumford School
and a great rapport with the
Cal- Mum staff, which is
another tool children and
young adults can go to for
any type of problem.”
The Caledonia Police
Department contracts with
the Town of Caledonia and
also responds to priority one
and two ambulance calls,
structure fires and reports of
crimes in progress. Caledonia
Police may also be called to
assist the Monroe County
Sheriff’s Department to help
with calls in Wheatland.
The department said its
mission includes being “the
model of excellence in polic-
ing by working in partnership
with the community and it’s
leaders” and enforcing laws
while safeguarding constitu-
tional rights.
“We are dedicated to pro-
tecting life, property, and
maintaining order while
assuring fair and equal treat-
ment to everyone,” reads the
department’s mission state-
ment.
The department has a med-
ication drop-box the residents
may use to properly dispose
of unwanted medications.
The drop box is in the ves-
tibule of the village clerk’s
office at Village Hall, 3095
Main St. Residents are asked
not to drop needles or liquids
in the box.
Dansville Police
The Dansville Police
Department, one of the busi-
est in the county, responds to
more than 4,000 calls annu-
ally.
The Department is imple-
menting protective measures
for law enforcement services
within the village of Dans-
ville to prevent the potential
spread of the COVID-19
coronavirus.
“We have a limited amount
of police officers on staff,
therefore, protective mea-
sures must be in place to
ensure ability to maintain a
Dansville Police Department Photograph
safe and secure community,”
Officer in Charge Shannon
Griese said in a statement.
Those measures include:
n Please dial 911 in an
emergency.
n The Dansville Police
Department will still respond
to all emergency calls, in
progress calls, and calls that
require immediate police
intervention.
n For non-emergency
complaints, an officer will
contact the caller to deter-
mine if an officer needs to
meet with caller. If the offi-
cer does not need to respond
to the scene but a report is
needed, the officer will take
the report over the phone and
an officer will follow up with
the caller if additional infor-
mation is needed.
n The police depart-
ment’s lobby is closed until
further notice. Anyone need-
Geneseo Police
Geneseo Police Chief Eric
Osganian says the police
department saw an increase
in general complaints, with
many of them being medical
related.
“The police department is
responding to more medical
calls than any other time in
our history,” Osganian said.
Officers responded to 547
calls for medical services
in 2019. Also in 2019, law
enforcement responded to
seven overdoses in the Vil-
lage.
“Officers successfully
administered narcan/nalox-
one to an individual that had
overdosed, which resulted
in four lives being saved by
the actions of our medical
professionals that arrived on
scene,” said Osganian.
Calls for service were
up for 5% in 2019, with
officers handling a total of
8,436 calls. Osganian says
a call for service is a very
broad description, that can
include criminal complaints,
disorderly persons, lost
property of all kinds, assist-
ing a stranded motorist,
medical complaints, traffic
complaints, loud noise com-
plaints, property checks and
other assistance from the
police.
Accidents were also up.
In 2019, Geneseo Police
responded to 148 motor
vehicle accidents, compared
to 129 in 2018.
Down was the number
of traffic tickets issued. In
2019 the department issued
1,362, compared with 2,128
4,868 in 2018.
Criminal arrests were
down a little, to 259 in
2019 from 277 in 2018. A
criminal arrest can include
anything from robbery,
assault, burglary, all types
of sex offenses, trespassing,
criminal mischief, disorderly
conduct, drug violations, all
types of harassment, all types
of larceny, warrant arrests,
open container violations,
underage drinking and loud
noise violations.
In 2020, Osganian said
one of his goals is to replace
the police software system
to improve the tracking of
department data, such as
police-citizen interactions,
and see that patrol cars are
replaced in a timely fashion
to reduce repair costs.
Mount Morris Police
Jeffery Wiedrick, a former
investigator with the Livings-
ton County Sheriff’s Office,
was named chief of the vil-
lage police department in
February.
Wiedrick, who assumed his
new position Feb. 2, retired
from the Sheriff’s Office in
March 2019 after a 28-year
career with the department.
As an investigator, Wiedrick
served as the lead narcotics
enforcement investigator and
the operations commander of
the Livingston County Drug
Task Force.
The Mount Morris Police
Department is focused on
working in partnership with
the community. Its mission
See POLICE A6

Livingston County News
Fire
From A2
Geneseo Fire Department
The Geneseo Fire Depart-
ment is a municipal depart-
ment of the Village of Gen-
eseo. The department was
established in 1834, with
ambulance service beginning
in 1940. The all-volunteer
fire and ambulance service
provides service to the village,
town and SUNY Geneseo
campus.
The volunteer membership
roster is 80 members strong.
Nearly half of the rostered
members are full-time SUNY
Geneseo students.
The department responds on
average to 275 fire calls and
1,400 ambulance calls annu-
ally.
The fleet includes: three
engines, ladder truck, rescue
boat, three ambulances and
four support vehicles.
In 2019, all self-contained
breathing apparatus (air-packs)
were equipped with thermal
imaging devices. This technol-
ogy allows firefighters enter-
ing a building with smoke to
navigate a building for search
and rescue and locate a fire
more easily.
The firehouse at 133 Center
St., Geneseo, was originally
built in 1977 and expanded
in 2004. One important part
of the expansion was adding
sleeping quarters for overnight
ambulance crews.
Two members have reached
the 50-year membership mark.
David Dwyer and Charlie Par-
ent each attained 50 years of
service after starting in 1969
and 1970, respectfully. Both
are two of the most active
members on the roster. Parent
has served three separate terms
as chief. Dwyer served a term
as an assistant chief.
The fire and ambulance dis-
trict bring a variety of unique
characteristics for protection.
Members are specifically train-
ing in low-angle rope rescue,
ice and swift water rescue,
aircraft fire and rescue, multi-
story building firefighting,
interstate highway responses,
rural water supply and special
rural rescue situations.
For those interested in join-
ing the department, orientation
sessions are scheduled at 7
p.m. on the fourth Wednesday
of each month at the fire hall,
133 Center St., Geneseo.
Groveland Fire Department
Led by Chief Steve Teeter,
the Groveland Volunteer Fire
Department has 20 members
and responds to about 60 calls
per year.
Officers include First Assis-
tant Chief Bill Linser, Second
Assistant Chief Tanner Har-
vey, and Captain Jacob Vogt.
The department is building
a second fire station, pole-barn
style, which will be at the top
of the hill in Groveland.
The Groveland Fire Depart-
ment, established in 1939,
serves the salt mine, Route
390, Conesus Lake, and two
prisons – a territory of more
than 30 square miles.
Hemlock Fire Department
The origins of the Hemlock
Fire Department date to 1919
when John P. Coykendall
realized the need for equip-
ment and manpower to protect
property in the Hemlock area.
Along with a handful of men,
he formed the Hemlock Fire
Company and through dona-
tions purchased the first piece
of equipment, a foam extin-
guisher with 40-gallon capac-
ity that was mounted on two
wooden rubber tired wheels,
Geneseo Fire Department has two 50-year members, David
Dwyer, left, and Charlie Parent, center. They are pictured
with Geneseo Fire Chief Andrew Chanler.
according to a history of the
department published in the
Livonia Gazette in 1976,
The “equipment” was
housed in John Coykendall’s
garage during the summer and
moved to Carl Scutt’s heated
garage for the winter. There
were only three privately
owned trucks in town and each
owner took turns hauling the
foam tank to fires, according
to the department history.
The department, 7375 Al
Sharpe Ave., has scheduled a
100th birthday celebration for
June 13. Plans are to begin the
day with a parade at 10 a.m.
Other activities include games,
food, music and a water ball
tournament.
Hemlock Fire District No.
1 was incorporated in 1924
and the Hemlock Volunteer
Company was incorporated in
1942.
The department has about
30 members. Its current chief
is Tom Ellis.
In February, the department
recognized several members at
its annual firefighter banquet.
The top responder was Deven
Ellis. Top trainee was Dan
Resides. And social member
of the year was Kevin Henry.
In March, the department
announced that in response
to the COVID-19 crisis it had
ceased all drills, meetings
and social gatherings. Offi-
cers will be in and out of the
department checking phones
and making sure equipment
is functioning as it should for
emergencies.
The Hemlock fire depart-
ment will continue to answer
emergency calls as needed.
Lakeville Fire Department
Lakeville responded to
177 calls in 2019 and almost
half were EMS related. Last
year, they had two members
complete the New York State
EMT-B course at Hampton
Corners.
“Samantha Horcsog and
Julian David-Drori have
become instrumental in our
agency regarding COVID-19
environment and allowing us
to be of better service to the
community that we serve,”
said Lakeville Fire Chief Hal
Fellows.
Line Officers for 2020 are
Chief Fellows, First Assistant
Chief Dan Bugbee, Sec-
ond Assistant Chief Patrick
McGrath, Fire Capt. Dana
Warner, EMS Capt. Samantha
Horcsog, Lt. Tom Guinta, Lt.
Andy Serio, Lt. Walter Barrett,
Fire Police Capt. Cee Cee Nel-
son, and Safety Officer Kyle
Whitford
Last September, Lakeville
conducted a mass casualty
incident with numerous other
CMYK
Geneseo Fire Department Photograph
agencies. The drill consisted
of a tractor trailer carrying
hazardous material, which was
involved in a motor vehicle
accident that had collided with
a van carrying children to the
playground. To throw an addi-
tional twist in, the department
added a bicyclist that was
struck by the van. The intent
of the drill was to show in real
time what could happen on a
summer afternoon in the ham-
let of Lakeville. Lakeville’s
population increases around
second week in May and lasts
until about second week in
September.
The drill was an overall suc-
cess and many lessons learned
by all agencies that partici-
pated.
Participating in the drill
were six fire departments, five
ambulance services including
Richmond Ambulance from
Ontario County, Livingston
County Haz-Mat Team, and
the Livingston County 911
Dispatch Center.
Last year, was more in the
research and planning phase
regarding a new purchase for
this year. The department put
together a truck committee few
years back to design a replace-
ment pumper for its 1992
Pierce Rescue Pumper. The
project continues using virtual
meetings and inspections. The
project is on schedule and will
be under budget.
This is the first truck in
Livingston County that will
use all battery-operated tools.
No generators, no cord reels,
no spare gas carried on the
truck. The primary purpose of
this truck is first to structural
responses. All essential hose
lines, ladders and heavy tools
are ergonomically placed for
ease of use and for firefighter
safety.
Besides purchasing a new
Pumper, the department also
elected to replace its older auto
extrication rescue tools with
a new electric Genesis tools.
Research has shown electric
auto extrication tools are much
safer, cleaner and perform just
as well as the gas operated
units. Safety has really taken
the forefront with eliminating
as much gas emissions as pos-
sible, to reduce related cancer
deaths.
Members of the East Avon Fire Department work to free a victim involved in a two-car crash.
Leicester Fire Company
Leicester Fire Company
responded to 67 calls for ser-
vice in 2019.
Formed in 1910, the depart-
ment is 110 years old this year.
There are 30 members on
the roster and the department
is always looking for mem-
bers. Residents from the vil-
lage or town of Leicester can
be members of the Leicester
Fire Company. Stop by the fire
hall or give the department a
call, (585) 382-3573 if you’re
interested in joining.
Officers include Chief
James Kane, who has led the
department since 2011; First
Assistant Chief Donald Kane,
Second Assistant Chief Adam
Bodratti, Capt. Russ Page,
First Lt. Jake Post, and Second
Lt. Wayne Austin.
The department has two
pumpers and a mini-pumper.
It’s newest truck is a 2017 4
Guys pumper No. 135, which
replaced a 1996 truck.
Lima Fire Department
Founded in 1830 at the
crossroads of two major high-
ways in New York State, Lima
Fire Department, 7286 West
Main St., Lima, is the oldest
fire department in Livingston
County. Its history dates to
1830 and a bucket brigade
called Repulse Fire Company.
The department was called the
Centennial Fire Department
until 1927 when it became the
Lima Fire Department.
Since that time the Depart-
ment, staffed entirely by
volunteers, has been proudly
providing fire suppression ser-
vices and fire prevention train-
ing to the community of Lima.
The Lima Fire Depart-
ment is staffed 100% with
volunteers who responded to
185 calls in 2019. Those calls
results in 1,148.77 volunteer
man hours for emergency situ-
ation. There was an additional
2,678 man hours in training
and work around the fire hall.
The department’s fleet of
equipment includes six trucks:
two pumper trucks, one tanker
truck, one 100-foot aerial lad-
CELL: 319.8517
81 Main Street
Geneseo
346.8223
der, one rescue truck and one
grass truck.
Officers include Chief Tim
Vandevelt, First Assistant
Chief Rusty Taillon, Second
Assistant Chief Jim Priban-
ich, Captain Tim Gimme,
First Lieutenant Tim Relyea,
President Andy Luft, Vice
President Mike Torres, Secre-
tary Doug Churchill, Assistant
Secretary Billy Barnhardt and
Treasurer Ron O’Brien.
Livonia Fire Department
In spring 2019, the Livonia
Fire Department purchased
three new sections of hose
at 200-feet each, along with
three new Elkhart nozzles to
complement these hoses.
In the fire service technol-
ogy is ever changing. What is
new today could be outdated
tomorrow. This new hose and
nozzles together were designed
to be operated and handled by
less firefighters leaving more
manpower available for other
duties, the department said.
This setup was designed so
that the water pressure being
pushed from the trucks could
be less as there is less friction
loss with the same or in most
instances even better water
volume. Having to use less
pressure at the pump means
less wear and tear on the
truck itself. It is a win-win all
around, the department said.
In late summer 2019, the
department also purchased six
sets of Rescue 42 struts. These
struts help firefighters to prop-
erly stabilize anything from a
riding mower up to a mid-size
box or moving truck.
Previously, the department
had struts that took several
minutes and several members
to set up and put in place. Now
each strut can be set up by one
individual in seconds.
A new pumper/tanker is
expected to arrive this fall.
In spring 2018, the chief put
Thursday, April 16, 2020 A5
Jack Haley/East Avon Fire Department
together a truck committee
to determine if it would be
better to replace or refurbish
the department’s oldest piece
of frontline apparatus. It was
determined that replacement
would be the best option as
the department’s apparatus are
designed to stay in service for
at least 20 years. In December
2019, the Board of Fire Com-
missioners for Livonia agreed
to the designs put before them
by the committee. The contract
was signed with Colden Enter-
prises in Kenmore, who is the
dealer for Spartan Manufactur-
ing in South Dakota, which
will build a 2020 Star Series
Custom Pumper/Tanker. The
truck will have room to carry
eight firefighters, all with seats
that have air packs installed.
The truck will carry 1,250 gal-
lons of water with a 1,500-gal-
lon per minute pump.
Mount. Morris Fire Dept.
The town of Mount Morris
is served by one fire depart-
ment with three companies:
The Livingston Stream Hose
Company, formed in 1852;
Active Hose Company,
founded in 1873; and Seymour
Chemical Company, founded
in 1941.
The department has about
40 members and responds to
around 150 calls annually.
The fleet consists of two
tanker trucks, one rescue
truck, one grass truck, one
mini-pumper and one six-by-
six ATV. Department ser-
vices include fire suppression,
vehicle extrication, surface
water rescue, ice rescue, rapid
intervention team and any
emergency where its response
is deemed appropriate.
The department is always
looking for new members.
Call (585) 658-3130 for more
information.
See FIRE A6

A6 Thursday, April 16, 2020
Police
From A4
is to enhance the quality of
life within the village by
providing the community
with the highest quality of
law enforcement services
possible. The department
seeks to preserve the peace,
enforce the law, reduce inci-
dents of crime and provide a
safe environment for citizens,
while respecting the rights
and dignity of all persons.
The department includes
a patrol division, two school
resource officers, and a
police chief. The School
Resource Officer plays a role
in developing trust between
the department and school-
age children, and is trained
in assessing issues including
bullying.
The department is commit-
ted to continued expansion
of its “community oriented
policing” approach, includ-
ing increased foot patrols that
foster positive interaction
between officers and resi-
dents.
Nunda Police Officers Brock Allen and James Pappas gradu-
ated from the Genesee Community College Police Academy
in March.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Emergency Management a
resource for first responders
BY KORI SCIANDRA
news@batavianews.com
The Livingston County
Emergency Management team
is actively engaged in the cur-
rent COVID-19 global pan-
demic.
The department handles all
operations and logistics for the
county and has been distribut-
ing resources to first respond-
ers as supplies come into the
county from the state through
the Strategic National Stock-
pile.
Livingston County Emer-
gency Management Director
Kevin Niedermaier is confi-
dent all first responders within
the county have the protective
gear they need, however there
is still a supply and demand
struggle occurring, globally.
“All fire departments within
the county are equally equipped
with the equipment they need
to respond to an emergency
during this time,” said Nieder-
maier. “We’re dispatching all
departments according to the
new policies.”
Emergency Management
had a good year in regard
to training. The department
achieved 1,000-man hours
between its three state fire
instructors – Mike Levey, Wil-
liam Gall, and Brad Austin.
“They did a phenomenal job
instructing,” said Niedermaier.
“I am very proud of all our
fire departments as well. It’s a
win-win.”
The county’s 19 departments
responded to about 4,100 calls
as a whole last year. Those
calls include CO detector calls,
smoke detector calls, motor
vehicle accidents, shed fires,
building fires, and more.
The department worked on
preparedness and training in
2019 and responded to some
severe rainstorms that occurred
Nunda Police
Ryan J. Dale has been
chief of the Nunda Police
Department since September
2019.
The department is a joint
village and town depart-
ment that was established in
November 1956. The depart-
ment consists of the chief,
one sergeant and six part
time officers.
In March, the department
welcomes its three newest
members: Officers Brock
Allen, James Pappas and
Brian Schirmer. Allen and
Pappas were recent graduates
from the Genesee Commu-
nity College Police Academy
where both officers excelled
professionally, academically
and physically. Schirmer
joined the department after
retiring from the Greece
Police Department.
In 2019, the Nunda Police
Department changed its uni-
form and patch design for the
first time in 22 years. A new
patrol vehicle, a Ford Inter-
ceptor, went into service at
the end of February 2019 and
represents the department’s
new graphic design.
Nunda Police Department Photograph
Livingston County Photograph
Livingston County Director
of Emergency Management
Kevin Niedermaier gives a
speech during a 9/11 cer-
emony.
within the county.
While 2020 plans are on hold
due to the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, heading into the fall of 2020
and into 2021, the department
will redirect its focus toward
some normalcy. They will con-
tinue to focus on preparedness
for all departments.
Emergency Management
received accreditation from
New York State in 2018, as
part of the Local Emergency
Management Accreditation
Program. The recognition was
received after the department
completed 21 separate catego-
ries of which there were 122
disciplines within all those
21 categories. Niedermaier
stressed there was extensive
planning that went into this
achievement. The County
Hazmat received accreditation
in 2019.
“I appreciate the support
for all local fire departments,”
said Niedermaier. “Take heed
of the guidance and direction
from the government. Follow
the rules with social distanc-
ing. Educate yourself.”
He continued, “It’s just an
honor and pleasure to be the
emergency manager for Liv-
ingston County. I couldn’t
imagine being anywhere else.”
CMYK
Livingston County News
Groveland Fire Department Photograph
Sparta Center Volunteer Fire Department Photograph
Members of the Groveland Fire Department are shown con-
Members of the Sparta Center Volunteer Fire Department
ducting a drill last summer.
are shown at the scene of a controlled burn.
Fire
From A5
Nunda Fire Department
With 87 members in the department,
Nunda Fire Department responded to
144 calls last year. The department put a
new 1,500-gallon 2019 Pumper Tanker
International into service in May and
plans to put a new truck into service
within the next year.
The department plans to celebrate
its Lawncare Raffle during Nunda Fun Springwater Fire Department Inc. Photograph
Days, May 28 to 30. The department Springwater Fire Department Inc. used a FEMA grant to purchase 12 self-con-
will be raffling a zero-turn mower and a tained breathing appratuses, or SCBA, which are also known as air packs.
chainsaw. Tickets for the raffle cost $10.
All firefighters are selling tickets. also serves as department treasurer; EMS York Fire Department
Additionally, the department will host Lt. Michelle Nadeau, who also serves as The York Fire Department was formed
its annual gun raffle in October. Tickets the department president; Vice President in 2007 with the merger of York Vol-
for the event will cost $10. John Goddard, Secretary Sue Sahrle, and unteer Fire Company and Retsof Hose
“We have a good relationship with our board members Pat Hillyard and Linda Company. The Department operates one
community and they really try to support Craun. pumper-tanker, one rescue-pumper;, one
us,” said Chief Mike Bogardus. The department is 100% volunteer all-wheel drive pumper, one tanker, one
Officers include Chief Bogardus, First and has a group of dedicated men and Basic Life Support ambulance, and a
Assistant Chief Travis Deiter, Second women who proudly answer the call Squad car out of the station at 2667 York
Assistant Chief Dana Cotton, First Capt. when our neighbors are in need. Anyone
Road West.
Brandon Snoddy, Second Capt. Chad who is interested in learning more about
The York Fire Department received
White, First Lt. Aaron Blow, Second Lt. the department, or who would like to
149 calls for service and York EMS
Kevin Moran. volunteer, is encouraged to reach out to
Chief Edwards at (585)-813-2021. received 134 calls for service in 2019.
Calls include service calls, medical,
Sparta Center Volunteer Fire Dept. motor vehicle crashes, hazardous mate-
West Sparta Volunteer Fire Dept.
The Sparta Center Volunteer Fire rial, wildland fires, vehicle fires, and
Department was established on 1963 West Sparta Fire Department recently structure fires.
with 26 members. Now, with 54 active put in a grant request for 12 new air York has continued to expand on its
members the department responded to packs. grain bin/silo rescue program through
134 call in 2019. These calls included In response to COVID-19, the West training both within the department and
fires, motor vehicle crashes and EMS Sparta Fire Department, along with all neighboring agencies. The equipment
assistance. other New York State Fire Departments, and training prepare personnel to respond
The department recently purchased 10 has cancelled drills and meetings until to emergencies in these structures where
Scott SCBA (self-contained breathing further notice. a person can be trapped or engulfed
appartus) packs and annually purchases “It’s tough not seeing everyone. Our in the product. The equipment used
five sets of turnout gear. firefighter family is like a second family
to all of us,” said West Sparta Chief Tom
includes grain bin rescue tubes, augers,
Fire department line officers for 2020 rope rescue equipment, air monitoring
Pearson. “It’s slowed down quite a bit
include Chief Joshua Halpenny, First
Assistant Chief Ryan Harvey, Second since everyone has been staying home.”
equipment, and powered saws.
York Fire Department was provided
All local fire departments are follow-
Assistant Chief Mike Corbin, Capt. Nick
Robinson, and Capt. Kevin Robinson. ing guidelines that have been imple-
mented by the county and recommended
the opportunity to send two firefighters
to Texas A&M Fire Training School
by both the state and the U.S. Centers for for Industrial Fire Training in 2019 and
Springwater Fire Department Inc. again in 2020 by Arkema Inc. The train-
Disease Control and Prevention.
The Springwater Fire Department “The goal is to minimize the num- ing allowed the firefighters to take train-
covers the Town of Springwater’s 53.3 ber of people that can be exposed to ing that is regularly provided for fighting
square miles for fire, rescue and EMS COVID-19,” said Pearson. “This has fires and learn how to better apply it to
first response. The department had a definitely changed things.” industrial settings and bring back tactics
busy 2019 answering 209 calls, including While Pearson believes there will learned to the rest of the department.
six structure fires, 22 motor vehicle colli- be a surplus of protective gear avail- The department’s planned raffle in
sions and 116 emergency medical calls. able once the pandemic is stabilized, April has been postponed due to the cur-
Department highlights for 2019 are there is currently a shortage of gear for rent health crisis. Tickets that have been
the acquisition of new battery-operated first responders, including N95 masks, sold will be honored for a rescheduled
rescue tools known by the public as the gowns, and gloves. Only those who are date.
jaws of life. The department added new equipped with protective gear are expect- The department officers are Chief
spreaders, cutters, ram and new struts for ed to respond to an emergency, while Dustin Geiger, First Assistant Chief Carl
stabilization. The battery-operated sys- those who don’t have protective gear are Peter, Second Assistant Chief John Mill-
tem allows greater portability and nearly permitted to assist the best they can from er, Fire Capt. Jamie Jaroszek, Fire Lt.
silent operation of the rescue tools. the road during a call. Ben Mayes and Cole Geiger, Ambulance
The department was also awarded a Officers include Chief Pearson, Assis- Capt. Bonnie MacLeod, Ambulance Lt.
$90,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant tant Chief Matt Wolfe, First Capt. T.D. Mary Harper, and Fire Police Lt. Bob
from FEMA for the purchase of 12 O’Dell, and Second Capt. Jason Graper. Smith.
SCBA known as air packs. The award Though the department hasn’t been Board officers are President Norm
was a huge help to the department and responding to an abundance of calls late- Gates, Vice President Mary Mayes,
the community as the packs that were ly, due to COVID-19, they still practice Secretary Connie Burger, Treasurer
replaced were at the end of life and fire safety and encourage the community Donna Falkner, Assistant Teasurer Jim
behind in safety features, the department to do the same. Templeton, and board of directors Roger
said. “Check to make sure you have new McCracken, Alan Brightman, Kim
The officers for 2020 are: Fire Chief batteries in your smoke detector and Howe, Alex Curry, and George Worden.
Mike Edwards, First Assistant Chief check your CO detectors as well,” said The York Fire Department and EMS
John Wilkins, Second Assistant Chief Pearson. “If its beeping it usually means are always looking for new volunteers.
Jason Amedick, Fire Capt. Brian you need new batteries or its more than For more information, call (585) 243-
Nadeau, Rescue Capt. Mike Mayer, who five years old.” 7100.
AIR AMBULANCES
Services provide critical care from the sky
Air ambulance service in Liv- operated by Thunderun Avia- minutes). The agency’s aver- founded as a non-profit heli-
ingston County is provided by tion), and more than 30 ground age response time to Livingston copter air ambulance in 1992 to
three companies. The services EMS vehicles including ambu- County is about 10 minutes from provide air medical services to
provide critical care to help the lances and rapid response SUVs. its Batavia base. residents of New York State and
most seriously ill and injured Each aircraft is equipped with Area fire departments are beyond. The current operation
patients. highly advanced medical equip- encouraged to contact Mercy includes bases in Canandaigua,
Mercy Flight Inc. has com- ment that allows the air medi- Flight at (716) 626-5808 exten- Marcellus and Rome, and serves
pleted nearly 30,000 air medical cal crew to maintain the highest sion 1509 for a hands-on ground key trauma centers in the Finger
missions since its inception in level of care when conducting safety training school as its load- Lakes and Central New York
1981. The air operations serve inter-facility transfers or bring- ing procedures have changed within a 150-miles flying radius.
all eight counties of Western ing emergency lifesaving care to with the new Bell 429 aircraft. LifeNet of New York serves
New York and beyond from patients on-scene. Two other air ambulance Livingston County from a base
bases in Batavia, Buffalo and The Bell 429 helicopter has services operate in Livingston at Hornell Municipal Airport
Olean. a max speed of 154 knots (178 County. in Steuben County. LifeNet is
Mercy Flight’s ground and air mph). This means a crew can get Mercy Flight Central, which owned by Denver-based Air
ambulance fleet consists of four from Conesus Lake to Lake Erie is not affiliated with Mercy Methods, a for-profit operation.
state-of-the art Bell 429 helicop- in 21 minutes (versus a 65-mile Flight Inc., is based in Canandai- The Hornell base has been in
ters, two Lear Jets (owned and drive of about 1 hour and 20 gua. Mercy Flight Central was operation since 2010.

Livingston County News
For the Record
ARRESTS AND COURT
Unless otherwise noted, people listed below
are innocent until proven guilty in court
Geneseo Police
April 6
Officers responded to North
Street for a report of col-
lege age people partying in
the front and back yards of
a residence. Officers found
five people in the front yard
and one person on the porch.
While on scene, officers
determined all were observing
social distancing measures
and no violation of laws were
found.
April 9
Officers responded to the
South Hill Apartments for
a large social gathering of
people.
Livingston County
Sheriff’s Office
Christine Weipert, 55, Mount
Morris, was charged April
7 with Harassment in the
second degree. Weipert was
released on an appearance
ticket to answer charges in
Leicester Town Court on a
later date.
Brenda Vazquez, 50, Mount
Morris, was charged April
7 with Harassment in the
second degree. Vazquez was
released on an appearance
ticket to answer charges in
Leicester Town Court on a
later date.
Zachary M. Berger, 31, Cone-
sus, was charged April 7 with
Driving While Intoxicated, and
FIRST RESPONDERS
State Police Troop E serves
Livingston County
BY THE LCN STAFF
The New York State Police
work to ensure the safety of
the state’s roadways, prevent
and investigate crime, prepare
for and respond to emergencies
and disasters and provide sup-
port to other law enforcement
agencies.
State Police strive to make
our roads safe for all users and
reduce the deaths, injuries and
property damage caused by
motor vehicle accidents through
vehicle and traffic enforcement
and education.
Livingston County is served
by Troop E, which is based in
Canandaigua and has stations
in Geneseo (Mount Morris) and
Lima.
Additionally, Trooper Josh
Bacon (Troop E) and his wife,
Kelly Bacon, run a small com-
munity youth center in Mount
Morris. They have partnered
with the Mount Morris Central
School District to be a meal
Geneseo UPD earns reaccreditation
The New York State Univer-
sity Police at Geneseo are a part
of the New York State Univer-
sity Police system that provides
police services at SUNY’s 29
state-operated campuses in
addition to SUNY’s Adminis-
tration complex in Albany.
All New York State Univer-
sity Police officers are sworn
police officers under state
Criminal Procedure Law and
complete full basic police acad-
emy training.
At Geneseo, UPD has 17
sworn police positions (12
officers, four supervisors, an
inspector, assistant chief, and
chief), four communications
officers, and three administra-
tive support staff members.
In addition to its COVID-19
responsibilities, staff is manag-
ing the day-to-day operational
aspects of the department.
The department was reac-
credited by the New York
State Department of Criminal
Justice Services in January.
The department first received
accreditation in 2015.
To be considered for accredi-
tation, agencies must demon-
strate that they meet or exceed
standards identified by DCJS.
The two-year process includes
an on-site visit by peer asses-
sors, who perform a survey
to determine compliance with
more than 130 standards,
review written policies and
interview members of the orga-
nization to test their knowledge
Moving from Lane Unsafely.
Berger was issued an appear-
ance ticket to answer charges
in Conesus Town Court on a
later date.
Tiffani N. Carpenter, 23,
Nunda, was charged April 1
with Endangering the Welfare
of a Child. Following arraign-
ment in Livingston County
Centralized Arraignment Part
at Livingston County Jail, Car-
penter was released and will
reply to charges in Nunda Vil-
lage Court on a later date.
Russell H. Maurer, 63, Livo-
nia, was charged April 4 with
Aggravated Unlicensed Opera-
tion of a Motor Vehicle in the
second degree. Maurer was
released on an appearance
ticket to answer charges in
Geneseo Town Court on a
later date
Katie L. Wilson, 32, Lakeville,
was charged March 29 with
Endangering the Welfare of
a Child, and Harassment in
the second degree. Following
LC-CAP arraignment, Wilson
was released and will reply to
charges in Livonia Town Court
on a later date.
State Police
Kelly M. Loucks, 22, of Livo-
nia, was charged with DWI
as a first offense following a
traffic stop on McIntyre Road,
Caledonia, at 11:51 p.m. April
10. She was also charged
with aggravated DWI. She was
issued an appearance ticket.
distribution center.
Major Eric L. Laughton is the
troop commander.
Besides Livingston, the troop
also serves Cayuga, Chemung,
Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler,
Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and
Yates counties.
The troop was created Sept.
9, 1967, from portions of
Troops A, C and D and serves
a sprawling region bordered by
Lake Ontario to the north and
Pennsylvania to the south.
Troop headquarters in
Canandaigua has a new foren-
sic building on State Route 332
in Farmington.
Troopers are testing a new
light bar to advise traffic of a
Trooper ahead. It is more vis-
ible than other light bars.
Troop E marked 50 years of
service in 2017, the centennial
year for the State Police, with a
special challenge coin depicting
serene water with sail boats,
hills, trees and blue sky.
of policies and the department’s
adherence to them.
Accreditation, according to
the DCJS website, “is a pro-
gressive and contemporary way
of helping police agencies eval-
uate and improve their overall
performance.”
First Response
is college EMS agency
SUNY Geneseo also has
its own EMS agency, SUNY
Geneseo First Response, which
is the primary emergency
response agency for the cam-
pus. The state-certified First
Response, which is run by
student-volunteers, has served
the campus for 46 years. The
agency goes to about 300 medi-
cal emergency calls per year
and also conducts CPR class-
es, blood pressure checks and
other training.
CMYK
Thursday, April 16, 2020 A7
CONESUS
Rochester woman charged with
DWI after truck strikes mailbox
BY THE LCN STAFF initiated a traffic stop. cated as a misdemeanor, and leaving the
A Rochester woman was charged The deputy believed that the vehi- scene of a property damage accident.
with driving while intoxicated follow- cle’s operator, Cora T. Schafer, 36, was
The charges were not a qualifying
ing an investigation into a intoxicated. A driving while offense for arraignment, the Sheriff’s
property damage accident in intoxicated investigation was Office said.
which she allegedly left the conducted and Schafer was Schafer was issued an appearance
scene operating a pick-up truck arrested for DWI. ticket to answer charges in Geneseo
that was missing a tire, reports Schafer was transported to Town Court on a later date and released
the Livingston County Sher- Livingston County Jail where to a sober third party.
iff’s Office. she submitted to a chemical Deputy Caleb Cutting took digital
Deputies were dispatched breath test. The test returned images on scene and was able to follow-
April 7 to the area of West a .12 percent blood-alcohol ing markings up East Lake Road, Stone
Lake Road and Maple Beach Cora T. Schafer concentration, according to the
Hill Road, Plank Road and onto Route 5
Road in Conesus following a Sheriff’s Office. and 20 eastbound into Ontario County.
complaint of a GMC Sierra that was A person is considered legally drunk The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office
traveling northbound with a tire and had in New York State with a .08 or more was advised in case they received any
almost struck a guardrail multiple times. BAC. calls for damaged property from the
The vehicle had also struck a mailbox Schafer was also found to have had vehicle, the Livingston County Sheriff’s
on East Lake Road, Conesus, the Sher- her license suspended seven times on Office reported.
iff’s Office said. five dates, the Sheriff’s Office said. Deputy Phillips of the Command
The vehicle was located on West Schafer was charged with first-degree staff, and Deputies Peck and Cutting of
Lake Road near Reservoir Road in aggravated unlicensed operation, a the Forensics Investigation Unit were
Geneseo driving on a rim, and deputies Class E felony, driving while intoxi- on scene for LCSO.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Two deputies graduate from
DARE training program SPECIAL TO THE LCN
MONTOUR FALLS - Two Livingston County
Sheriff’s deputies graduated from a DARE training
program in Shuyler County earlier this year. Depu-
ties Scott Patterson and Ross Gerace attended the
two-week training in Montour Falls and received
their diplomas Jan. 24.
DARE, short for Drug Abuse Resistance Educa-
tion, was founded in 1983 and has been implement-
ed in thousands of schools throughout the U.S. more
than 50 other countries. The program is a police
officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches
students how to resist peer pressure and live produc-
tive drug and violence-free lives.
The topics covered in the DARE training included:
facilitation skills, brain-based and modalities learn-
ing, collaborative learning, classroom management,
drug situations and substance abuse, stages of ado-
lescent dependency, school violence/bullying, youth
culture/youth gangs, media training, deputy sheriff/
school relations, science-based programming, work-
ing with classroom teacher, and P.I.E. (prevention,
intervention, enforcement problem solving).
Patterson is assigned as the school resource deputy
in the Mount Morris Central School District where
he will DARE instruction to fifth grade students.
Gerace is assigned as the school resource deputy
in the Keshequa Central School District where he
will likewise provide instruction to fifth grade stu-
dents.
Patterson and Gerace join fellow school resource
deputies Bob Holt at the Dansville Central School,
Brittany Cushman at the Livonia Central School
and Becky Kane at the York Central School who
are already DARE instructor certified and provide
instruction to fifth graders.
“Having six deputy sheriffs deployed in six
school districts across the county is one of our best
initiatives,” said Livingston County Sheriff Thomas
J. Dougherty in a statement. “Not only are they
protecting our classrooms but they are serving as
mentors and role models in their respective schools.
Through deputy-led instruction such as the DARE
program, we are connecting with students prior to
the bad habits forming and providing education to
make good choices in the future.”
Livingston County Sheriff’s Office photo
DARE deputies. Deputy Ross Gerace, left, and Deputy
Scott Patterson shortly after graduating from a DARE trining
program earlier this year.