4/16/13: County Health Department Conducting Pesticide Applicator Certification & Public Health Training

Modified: January 23, 2015 3:10pm

Latest News

Date: 
4/16/13

Partnering with Univar, USA Inc. to host 30-hour course at no cost to participants

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health’s (“ECDOH’s”) Rabies, Disease & Vector Control Program is partnering with Univar, USA Inc., to host a 30 Hour Pesticide Application Certification Course for government employees that are Certified Pesticide Applicators, Technicians,  or Apprentices, or for those seeking certification in Category 8 (Public Health). The course, offered free of charge to governmental participants, allows such individuals the opportunity to gain or maintain their Pesticide Applicator Certification with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYSDEC”).

“This course is a key component in helping to keep residents safer from the pests we will be seeing more of in the warm months ahead, such as rodents, mosquitoes, ticks, bedbugs,  and others,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Not only will participants and municipalities save money thanks to the generous efforts of our partners, but in the process of gaining recertification they will be updating their education on public health issues, forging new relationships which can help in the future, and gaining vital knowledge that will positively and directly impact thousands of people’s lives this year.”

“Municipalities taking part in this course are not only saving themselves money, but are ensuring that their pesticide applicators have the latest knowledge and abilities to safely and effectively apply pesticides,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein. “They are the first line of defense in fighting pests, and this four-day program will give them the tools that they need.”

The course, being held Monday - Thursday, allows participants seeking certification to attend for the full four days, while those in need of recertification to maintain licensing are able to attend for two days.   Each day features presenters from multiple agencies and companies, including Univar USA, Bell Labs, the New York State Department of Health (“NYSDOH”), and the Erie County Department of Health covering a wide range of topics which include pesticide formulations, characteristics & composition, and regulation; pest management for rodents, mosquitoes, fleas, & ticks; and pesticide application, including mixing, storage, transportation, and more.

A truly regional training effort, the course has attracted participants from Erie, Cattaraugus, Onondaga, and Niagara counties; the cities of Buffalo, Lackawanna, and Olean; the Towns of Amherst, Clarence, Evans, Lancaster, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Newstead, and West Seneca; and the Villages of Kenmore and Angola.

For more information on the Rabies, Disease & Vector Control Program visit http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=vector-control-program