New Requests Involve Communications, Medical Personnel; Deployments Begin Immediately

ERIE COUNTY, NY— More representatives from Erie County are heading downstate to assist with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, with communications and medical skills being the focus of the latest requests for deployment. This is the third deployment of County personnel in response to the storm earlier this week and includes individuals employed in the Emergency Services and Health Departments.

“On behalf of all Erie County residents, I wish all of our deploying personnel good luck in their duties and wish them a safe and speedy return to their families here in Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.

Communications Unit Leader (COML) Kevin Hughes has been requested to respond to the Nassau County Emergency Operations center (“EOC”) in Bethpage, NY to support interoperable communications. He is joined by a counterpart from Monroe County and will be deployed from November 2 – November 9.

Medical personnel requested to assist in staffing a shelter in Nassau County include: Jackie Andula (RN), Pati Aine Guzinski (EMT), Dan Kishbaugh (Paramedic), Jennifer Schaefer (Advanced EMT), Tim Van Patten (Advanced EMT), Dr. Andrew McCoy, and Dr. Kevin Pacheco. They are deploying today and will be returning Tuesday, November 6.