Onondaga County Department of Emergency Management

06/10/2026

Heat index values are rising across Onondaga County today and will remain high over the next few days. Dangerous heat can build quickly, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and anyone with health conditions.

Please remember the following safety tips that will help you keep cool and manage the rising heat index: stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours, and take breaks in the shade or air‑conditioning. Watch for signs of heat‑related illness such as dizziness, nausea, headache, or confusion, and check on neighbors, family, and friends who may be more vulnerable. Light, loose‑fitting clothing, cool showers, and protecting pets from hot pavement and direct sun can also make a big difference.

Stay safe, stay cool, and stay informed, Onondaga County.

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

Ready to take your law enforcement career to the next level? The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office is officially accepting lateral transfers for our Police Division, and your next big opportunity is waiting right here.

If you are a dedicated professional seeking a department that invests in your future and offers unparalleled specialized career paths, OCSO is the place to be. From our state-of-the-art drone unit and modern tactical equipment to our advanced aviation program, we give you the tools and training to truly make an impact. Whether your passion is specialized investigations, community engagement, or cutting-edge technology, we provide the diverse career paths you need to grow.

Don't just clock in, build a legacy with a premier agency that has your back every single day. Bring your experience, your passion, and your drive to Onondaga County.

What We Offer
Specialized Units: Air One aviation, advanced UAV (drone) operations, K9, and tactical teams, Navigation, Bomb Unit...

Modern Equipment: Top-tier gear, advanced technology, and modern fi****ms platforms with red dot optics.

Career Advancement: True upward mobility, specialized training tracks, and diverse assignments.

Community Support: Serve a community that stands firmly behind its law enforcement officers.

Ready to make the move? Contact our recruitment team today, or visit our website to start your lateral transfer process.

****Contact Wendy Murphy: [email protected]****

06/03/2026

June is Pet Preparedness Month — and it’s the perfect reminder that our pets depend on us long before an emergency begins. 🐾

Taking a few simple steps now can protect them when every second counts.

Start by building a pet emergency kit with at least a week’s worth of food and water, medications, copies of vet records, a sturdy leash or carrier, and familiar items that help reduce stress. Include a recent photo of your pet in case you become separated.

Make sure your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are current — this is one of the fastest ways to reunite families after a disaster. If you need to evacuate, plan ahead for pet‑friendly options, since many shelters and hotels cannot accept animals. Identify a safe place you can go, and talk with friends or family who may be able to help.

When severe weather is expected, bring pets indoors early and keep them close. Staying informed through local alerts ensures you can act quickly when conditions change.

Preparing today means protecting the animals who give us so much every day.
Learn more at: https://onondaga.gov/em/prepare-your-pets-for-disasters-2/

06/02/2026

Come join us and learn how you can help save a life.

06/01/2026

What an incredible day at the tenth Community Celebration at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview ! 🎉

Our team had an amazing time connecting with community members, answering questions, and showing everyone a closer look at some of the tools we use to keep Onondaga County safe. From the Mobile Operations Center (EM‑50) to the SHERP, it was great watching people explore the equipment, learn how it supports emergency response, and see firsthand the capabilities we bring to major incidents.

Events like this are a reminder of why we do what we do — building relationships, strengthening preparedness, and making sure our community knows the resources available to them. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, asked questions, and celebrated ten years of the Amp with us. We’re already looking forward to the next one.

06/01/2026

🚨 It’s the first of the month, time to test your smoke alarms!

Your reminder from the Clark Burn Center Team: take a minute today to press the test button on every smoke alarm in your home.

A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. Smoke alarms only work when they are properly installed and regularly tested.

✅ Hear the beep? It’s working.
🔇 No beep? Check the battery or replace the alarm.
🐤 Chirp… chirp… chirp? Don’t ignore it.

If your alarm has a replaceable battery, change the battery and test it again.
If it has a sealed 10-year battery, replace the alarm according to the manufacturer’s

Source: FEMA/U.S. Fire Administration


Image description: Reminder graphic to test smoke alarms on the first of the month. It shows a smoke alarm with a red arrow pointing to the test button.

05/29/2026

Onondaga County Emergency Management is proud to host the ASIM 353 – Active Shooter Incident Management with Complex Incidents course this June 24-26.

This advanced, NIMS‑based program strengthens integrated response between law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, PIOs, emergency management, and aviation during high‑risk, fast‑moving active shooter events.

Participants will train on critical roles such as Contact Teams, Rescue Task Force, Perimeter, Triage, Transport, Intelligence, and Reunification, and work through full‑length functional exercises that mirror real‑world complexity — including IED threats, coordinated attacks, and evolving attacker behavior.

This training enhances leadership, coordination, and life‑saving decision‑making across all disciplines.

This course was previously hosted in 2023 and received very positive feedback, with many agencies expressing interest in participating again. We are eager to fill the class for this valuable training opportunity.

Registration is open at https://tinyurl.com/ynemx5sx — but participation is limited to first responders only.

05/28/2026

📣 Please help us spread the word!

The Clark Burn Center at Upstate University Hospital is excited to host the First Responder & Nursing Burn Care Symposium on October 13, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

This full-day education event is designed for first responders, EMTs, nurses, and healthcare professionals who care for burn-injured patients across the continuum of care.

The symposium will feature two separate educational tracks:• EMS/First Responders Track• Nursing Track

Participants will hear from burn care experts and professionals on topics including:
• High-risk burn assessment and stabilization
• Prehospital care of the burn patient
• Chemical injury and decontamination
• Airway concerns and toxic inhalation
• Burn resuscitation and critical care challenges
• Pain management
• Managing major events, including blast injuries, house fires, and SALT triage
• Rehabilitation and survivor outcomes
• Mental health, addiction, coping needs, and responder resilience
• The important role of burn nursing and certification

We are honored to welcome Dennis Gardin, burn survivor and Executive Director of the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, as our keynote speaker.

Registration includes breakfast, lunch, time with vendor stations, and CEUs.

📍 DoubleTree Hotel, East Syracuse, NY
📅 October 13, 2026
⏰ 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM

To register, text 2026BurnCareSym to 41444 or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Please share this opportunity with first responders, EMS agencies, nurses, healthcare teams, fire departments, educators, and community partners who may benefit from this important burn care education.

Image description: Flyer for the First Responder & Nursing Burn Care Symposium hosted by the Upstate Clark Burn Center. The flyer includes blue and white design elements, the Upstate Clark Burn Center logo, an illustration of an EMT and nurse, and a QR code for registration. Full event details are provided in the post text.