PRESS RELEASE: State’s Specialized Police Officers Respond to Second Deadly Blizzard in Four Weeks
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Understaffed and Under-equipped Officers Leave Families Behind During the Holidays to Answer Call of New Yorkers in Need
Albany, NY (December 28, 2022) – While most New Yorkers were enjoying time with friends and family over the past weekend, the men and women of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State said goodbye to their families and jumped into action to help those who were severely impacted by the state’s most recent blizzard. In the wake of the state’s second devastating blizzard, the PBA of New York State is calling on the administration to make the proper investment in public safety staffing levels and provide the equipment needed to respond to these crises and avert disaster.
“Whether it is responding to severe weather incidents like the blizzard that just devastated Western New York or conducting our daily duties -- New York’s Forest Rangers, Park Police, Environmental Conservation Officers and State University Police answer that call at great risk and sacrifice and it’s time for the Governor to recognize that the state is threatening the safety and security of the people we serve by not providing our agencies with proper staff levels and equipment,” said State University Police Lieutenant and PBA of New York State president James McCartney.
As unprecedented lake effect snow buried homes and streets, stranding residents, cutting off power, and leaving thousands without heat, food, and life-saving medicine, PBANYS members utilized their specialized training and equipment to bring assistance to those most in need.
New York State Park Police, Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers mobilized snowmobiles and Utility Terrain Vehicles to provide assistance to the Buffalo Police Department – executing search and rescue missions, delivering emergency supplies, and transporting the sick to critical life-saving medical services including dialysis. State Park Police also responded to a call that animals at the Buffalo Zoo may have been released by concerned residents. Fortunately, the animals were safe and accounted for.
At the same time University Police Officers rescued stranded motorists and local residents who were without shelter, heat, and food and established an emergency shelter and warming station that provided refuge for nearly 100 individuals over the course of the weekend. University of Buffalo Police utilized heavy loaders to clear a path to a grocery store two miles away to allow supplies to be delivered to the emergency shelter.
And at a time when there was tragic loss of life, University Police officers also came to the rescue of a woman in labor and cleared the way for a local fire truck to transport her to the hospital to safely deliver her child.
New York State Park Police Captain and PBANYS director Chris Rola, said, “It was a multi-agency effort - state and local police, firefighters and EMS working together to save as many lives as possible. While we were able to assist most motorists, many lives were tragically lost. It is a reminder of how dangerous Mother Nature can be and why it is so critical that we maintain our skills, ensure full strength in staffing, and field the proper equipment to effect rescues when disaster strikes.”
Environmental Conservation Officer and PBANYS director Matt Krug, added, “In the past few weeks we’ve heard that there are individuals in the current administration who characterize PBANYS members as not being ‘real cops’ because ‘we don’t walk a beat in the South Bronx and don’t face real danger.’ Environmental Conservation Officers face extreme danger from organized crime syndicates while patrolling New York City to combat poaching, illegal dumping, and the illicit animal trade. In addition, the rescue skills we and our Forest Ranger brothers and sisters bring to the table have been called on twice in the past month alone. As extreme weather events become more prevalent due to climate change these skills and officers will be in greater demand.”
“One of the unfortunate realities for New York State Forest Rangers is we are often tasked with recovering bodies of the deceased,” said Forest Ranger Lieutenant and PBANYS director Nancy Ganswindt. “The lives lost during this devastating blizzard were New Yorkers just going about their lives, looking forward to celebrating the holidays with family and friends. With loses in the dozens and climbing, this will take a tremendous toll on first responders who will live with these memories for years to come. As we remember those who lost loved ones, we ask the public to keep all of the first responders in their thoughts as well.”
It is said that in every tragedy there are lessons to be learned. The PBA of New York State respectfully calls on the administration to take the prudent steps of returning all of its member units to full strength, acquire the vehicles and specialized equipment to take advantage of their specialized skills and training (many officers currently purchase their own rescue gear), and provide these true public servants with the standard 20-year retirement benefit that 97% of law enforcement officers currently receive, the lack of which is the leading cause for mass attrition in this unique workforce.
McCartney concluded, “Time and again we are told that the proper mechanism for securing these critical investments is the state budget. As Governor Hochul prepares to submit her budget to the state legislature, there is no time like the present. If it saves the life of even one New Yorker it is more than worth it.”
Photos from the Buffalo blizzard response can be downloaded at the following links:
PBA Members from the Department of Environmental Conservation Deploy from across the state
Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers stage for Buffalo Response
Environmental Conservation Officers conduct a welfare patrol for residents in need
State Park Police Assist Buffalo PD with response in inaccessible neighborhoods
State Park Police aided in response to a structure fire during the Buffalo blizzard
Local Fire Rescue was backed up by State Park Police snow rescue units
Responding to calls of zoo animals in possible danger State Park Police perform welfare check
State Park Police transport trapped residents and stranded motorists to safety
Loaders under direction of University at Buffalo Police clear the way for relief supplies
Park Police Officers distribute cases of Meals Ready to Eat and water to Buffalo residents
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ABOUT the PBA of New York State: Established in 2011, the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of New York State), is a law enforcement labor union representing the interests of more than 1,100 members of the New York State Agency Police Services Unit (APSU). The PBA of New York State is the exclusive bargaining agent for the New York State University (SUNY) Police, the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the New York State Park Police, and the New York State Forest Rangers. Our members police and protect New York State’s public universities and colleges, state parks and historic sites, and they enforce state laws and protect our lands and forests and ensure environmental safety and quality throughout the state.
