Yates County lawmakers will hold a public hearing next month on a proposal to create several new specialty emergency response teams aimed at improving rescue operations and public safety across the county.
The hearing is scheduled for June 8 at 1 p.m. during the regularly scheduled Yates County Legislature meeting in Penn Yan. Officials will consider a resolution authorizing the county’s Office of Emergency Services to establish new teams focused on water rescues, hazardous materials response, fire investigations, and fire coordination.
According to the proposed resolution, the county has identified a need for a surface, flood, and swift water rescue team, along with a hazardous materials decontamination team, a fire investigation team, and deputy fire coordinators.
County officials say the additions would allow for quicker emergency response times and improve life safety for residents and visitors throughout Yates County.
The proposal would establish the teams under New York State General Municipal Law and extend Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law coverage protections to members serving on those units.
The public hearing will take place in the Legislative Chambers at 417 Liberty St. in Penn Yan. Residents will also be able to participate remotely through Zoom.
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