PRESS RELEASE

From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein 

Date: April 26, 2019 

CONTACT: Kara Kane, Public Information Officer

Email: kara.kane@erie.gov 

Phone: (716) 858-4941   

ERIE COUNTY TO HOST PESTICIDE APPLICATION CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION COURSE

30-hour Course to be Offered Free of Charge to Government Participants

ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health will partner with Univar Solutions to host a 30-hour Pesticide Application Certification Course during the week of May 20. Employees from counties, towns and villages in the region who are Certified Pesticide Applicators, Technicians or Apprentices, or who are seeking certification in Category 8 (Public Health), are welcome to attend this course free of charge. The four-day program gives individuals the opportunity to gain or maintain their Pesticide Applicator Certification with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 

Within the Division of Environmental Health, the Rabies, Disease and Vector Control Program has coordinated the recertification course every two years to help municipalities save significant taxpayer dollars. This year, Erie County is adding the 30-hour course, which is required before taking the state exam.

The course is part of the “Go Clean Initiative – Operation Clean Sweep” program, and part of a regional effort that was reinstated in 2012. This educational effort gives participants information about vector-related and emerging diseases so they are able to recognize and address issues in their area before they cause problems for residents and businesses.

“With this course, we are reinforcing Erie County’s commitment to public health and safety and protecting residents from insects and pests that can transmit disease,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “At the same time, we’re able to provide a valuable service to local governments, save taxpayer money, and give municipalities tools and knowledge that will have a positive impact on thousands of residents.”

“This course gives attendees the most up-to-date knowledge they need to combat pests in their neighborhoods in a safe and effective way,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Gale R. Burstein. “Vector control is something our department tackles year-round, but it’s even more of a concern in warmer weather.”

Presenters from Univar Solutions, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Erie County Department of Health and other industry professionals will guide participants through a series of topics, including rodent and vector control integrated pest management; tick biology and management; mosquito-borne disease control; bed bug management; cockroaches and flies in food handling establishments; non-game mammals identification; and disease and control options.

Past attendees have come from all corners of the region, with participants from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Erie, Cattaraugus, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga and Orleans Counties; the cities of Buffalo, Lackawanna and Olean; Orleans-Niagara BOCES; the towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Evans, Lancaster, Newstead, Tonawanda and West Seneca; and, the villages of Angola, Falconer and Kenmore. 

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For more information on the Rabies, Disease & Vector Control Program visit 

http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=vector-control-program

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