Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $2 million in congressionally directed spending that she secured to construct a new Emergency Operations Center for Orleans County. The center has been operating out of a 1960s-era building and bomb shelter that has hindered its ability to serve approximately 40,600 people and 396 square miles in Orleans County. Gillibrand was joined by Lynne Johnson, Chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, and Justin Niederhofer, Director of Emergency Management at Orleans County Emergency Management.
“The Orleans County Emergency Management Office is crucial to keeping over 40,000 people in this community safe. This center was indispensable during the early months of COVID-19, delivering essential needs like PPE,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Orleans County community deserves a modern center equipped with the technology and staff needed to meet the moment when emergencies strike. That’s why I fought to bring home $2 million for a new, state-of-the-art center that will enhance the county’s emergency preparedness capabilities and provide a safe working environment for the dedicated people that make this operation strong.”
“Thank you Senator Gillibrand for your support for Orleans County and the Emergency Management Office. This funding will bring much needed improvements to the bunker and will help prepare the county for any major disaster. Senator Gillibrand’s tireless support will greatly benefit the citizens and visitors of Orleans County, ensuring that the Emergency Management Office can effectively serve the county,” said Chairwoman Lynne Johnson.
For more information on the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, please click here or read information from their website: With an area covering 396 square miles and a population of approximately 40,600 people, the well-being of all residents in Orleans County is the driving force for the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, EMO, through planning, training, response, mitigation and recovery. In a disaster, the emergency manager serves as the key representative and advisor to the County Chief Administrative Officer. In smaller counties, such as Orleans, emergency management duties are assigned to coordinators who combine the functions with other responsibilities such as Fire and Emergency Medical Service Coordinator.
The Orleans County EMO continues to prepare, plan, train, coordinate, respond, recover and rebuild from all hazard incidents, natural or manmade, that may occur within the jurisdiction. This office performs these tasks by interfacing with all first response, local, State and Federal agencies, as well as, coordination of the recovery sections of these agencies to minimize the effects of emergencies on the population and infrastructure of Orleans County.