A grant of more than $288,000 has been awarded to Genesee County by FEMA as part of an nationwide effort to ensure volunteer fire departments remain adequately staffed to handle disasters and emergencies.

Called the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER), it has been awarded to a cooperative venture by Lake Plains Community Care Network, Genesee County Emergency Management Office, Genesee County Fire Advisory Board and the Genesee County Recruitment and Retention Task Force.

Funds will be used to address recruitment and retention challenges in the fire services locally with a goal to attract 320 new firefighters, as well as EMS, fire police and other roles, over the next four years.

The goal is to sign up 18 new members for each department in the county during that time, which would allow departments to address normal attrition rates and grow the volunteer force at the same time.

Funding will cover hiring a marketing firm to create a program to raise public awareness of the importance of volunteer fire departments and promote opportunities for people to get involved with their local departments.

Lake Plains will act as lead agency in administration of the grant.

Full press release after the jump:

The Lake Plains Community Care Network (LPCCN) in collaboration with the Genesee County Emergency Management Office (GCEMO), Genesee County Fire Advisory Board and the Genesee County Recruitment and Retention Task Force has been awarded The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) in the amount of $288,680 over a four year grant cycle.

The SAFER Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities.

This grant will help address the growing recruitment and retention challenges of the fire service in Genesee County. The goal of the recruitment plan is to attract and maintain 320 new firefighters over the next four years; an average of 18 new members for each department over the four year span. This rate of recruitment will allow County fire departments to induct, orient, outfit and train these individuals at an affordable and manageable pace. This systematic approach will allow the normal attrition rate to be addressed while achieving a positive net increase in volunteer staffing levels over the next four years and beyond.

Two primary themes have been established for the recruitment plan:

1. The first theme will focus on the physical, intellectual and compassion qualities sought in today’s volunteer. It will also include a clear, concise call to action and benefit statement.

2. The second theme will address the fact that many fire departments offer flexible opportunities other than just firefighting. Individuals can join specific departments as Fire/Rescue, EMS Only, Fire Police Only, or Associate members.

A key component for the success of the marketing plan involves the hiring of an outside Professional Marketing Company whose objectives would be to create greater public awareness as to the need for volunteers and the role of volunteer first responders; to promote the opportunities for the community to get involved and stay involved in the solution, and to support the overall goals of the recruitment and retention plans. 

According to the 2010 US Census data, Genesee County’s fire service protects 60,079 people over 502 square miles through their 17 volunteer fire departments. There are approximately 900 volunteer firefighters listed on the roles in Genesee County which averages approximately 52 active firefighters in each organization but only an average of 30 members per volunteer department are actually qualified to perform fire suppression.

The Lake Plains Community Care Network (LPCCN ) will act as the lead agency for the SAFER grant on behalf of all 17 volunteer departments and county government. LPCCN is a non-profit organization which promotes cooperation, preventative health education, and access to quality care in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.

There's a report of a vehicle fire in the area of 733 Cook Road, Bergen.

Bergen Fire Department has been dispatched.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: Bergen back in service.

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In other campaign news, the Buffalo News has published a story saying that Corwin's critics are calling into question claims in her professional biography.

Also, House Speaker John Boehner is in Depew today, to support Corwin's campaign and take part in a fundraiser.

In response, Jack Davis is giving away free hot dogs at Zorba’s Texas Hots, just down the road from what Davis said is a $2,500 per-plate lunch with Boehner.

A Buffalo News article also notes that Hochul is having a hard time interesting House Democrats in financial and strategic support for her candidacy, even as she seems to be gaining ground on Corwin.

Finally, DailyKos claims to have Hochul's internal polling numbers, which shows the race going 31-30-26 for Corwin-Hochul-Davis. The post says the poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group, but doesn't say when or what the margin of error might be (but it's certainly within 1 percentage point, making this at least a two-way tie and possibly a three-way tie).

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: DailyKos is reporting that a new poll (which I think they're saying was commissioned by DailyKos and SEIU) shows Hochul with a lead in the race. The numbers break down 35 percent for Hochul, 31 for Corwin, 24 for Davis with 2 percent going to Murphy. Full spreadsheet of the poll here. One of the interesting charts is of the approval rating for the Republican-lead Congress, with 57 percent overall, and 35 percent of the Republicans in the district saying they disapprove.

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: The DailyKos poll is making national news. Here's a story from Roll Call.

“I think they have a pretty long record of being inaccurate with their polls,” Corwin spokesman Matthew Harakal said of PPP.

When asked, Harakal declined to release internal polling from the Corwin campaign to counter the PPP survey.

“We’re very comfortable with where we are,” he said. “The fact is that Kathy Hochul and Jack are on the wrong side of the issues. The only poll that matters is on Election Day.”

Harakal also told Roll Call the lunch today was $150 per plate.

The progressive New Republican wonders if Corwin will become Paul Ryan's first "victim."

If Hochul pulls this out, it will exert a huge influence over the Congressional landscape. Democrats even in unfriendly districts will have a viable plan to unseat Republican incumbents. Meanwhile, Republicans, who have been riding high on ideological hubris, will suddenly come face to face with some cold political reality. 

UPDATE 8:49 p.m.: More on the race from The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Sean Carroll and WHAM13 has a run down of today's events in Erie County. So does Commentary Magazine.

A Le Roy mother accused of stealing $6,200 from a nursery school where she served as treasurer will spend five years on probation, Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled this morning.

Jennifer M. Riggi, 29, of 47 Lake St., Le Roy, will also serve on community work details each weekend for the next two months.

Riggi, speaking hoarsely and softly, said in halting sentences, "I admit it was wrong. I feel awful that it happened. It's a mistake I made."

On Feb. 27, Riggi plead guilty to grand larceny, 4th. As part of her plea deal, she was required to make restitution prior to sentencing, which she did.

Meg Roberts, president of the board of directors for the school, said Riggi's actions were harmful to the school.

"We trusted you to help run the school for our children and your children as well," Roberts said. "You completely misled us that you had the best interest of the children at heart.

"You had direct knowledge about how misappropriating funds would hurt the school and our ability to pay our teachers. I never would have expected another mother to steal from our school."

Noonan said he really didn't understand Riggi's motivation.

"When I read the presentence investigation on somebody who violated the trust of an institution or organization that vested them with (financial responsibility), I'm really trying to look for a reason why," Noonan said.

"Some would do it often times because of drug or other substance abuse issues. Sometimes it's a gambling problem. Sometimes it's a drastic change in financial circumstances. Often times people say, as you did, that they intended at the time to return what they took and just got in over their heads.

"But with a spouse who has adequate income so that you're not forced into the position where you must steal to feed your children, it does suggest a real character flaw. That is something you are going to have to deal with, not just for the period of probation term, but for the rest of your life.

"What could make you feel that you could go and take money just because it was available to you, I don't understand," Noonan concluded. "It's not my job to understand it. It's just a curiosity to me."

Two young boys have handcuffed themselves together and a deputy has been dispatched to help them out.

One of the cuffs is apparently too tight on one boy and his hand is starting to turn blue.

The boys are on South Main Street, Village of Oakfield.

Michelle DiFalco, 22, no permanent address, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 1st, reckless endangerment, 1st, strangulation, 2nd and criminal mischief, 4th. DiFalco is accused of being involved in an incident at 3 a.m., Saturday, in which she allegedly damaged personal property, choked another person and would not allow that person to leave the residence. DiFalco was jailed without bail.

A 16-year-old from Wyoming Road, Wyoming, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth, a student at Pavilion High School, was found allegedly in possession of marijuana while in the school.

David Walter Cook, 46, of Lockport Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and failure to keep right. Cook was stopped on Maltby Road, Elba, at 1:55 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ryan Eugene Davis, 27, of Mashall Road, Medina, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, driving without an interlock ignition. Davis was stopped at 3:48 p.m., Friday, on Park Road, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello. Davis was allegedly driving an other person's car without the owner's permission. He was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Martin F. Jones, 40, of 4036 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Jones is accused of stealing beer from Hess Mart at 12:30 a.m., Sunday. Following a complaint, Officer Frank Klimjack reportedly located Jones walking on West Main with beer in his possession.

Trevor M. Rich, 30, of 8943 Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment and criminal contempt. Rich is accused of sending annoying text messages to a person in violation of an order of protection. Rich was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Dashawn A. Butler, 30, of Batavia, is charged with four counts of acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old. Butler was arrested by State Police and jailed on $5,000 bail. No further details released.

Jodi L. Teed, 43, of 6785 Creek Road, Mt. Morris, is charged with operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate headlights. Teed was stopped at 10:24 p.m., Saturday, on South Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Matt Fleming.

For the first time this spring, Billie and I were able to sit on our back deck, and of course, I had my camera with me, at the ready, when this squirrel stopped by for a visit.

It's a family tradition, and has been for 12 years.

On the first weekend in May, the Esten family hosts antique tractor enthusiasts for two days of plowing on land owned by Torrey Farms off Oak Orchard Road in Elba.

The tradition started one year when Louis Esten and one of his sons took out one of their old tractors for some plowing and Louis, who had heard of similar activities in other states, thought why not host a "plow days" event.

So Esten approached John Torrey about the idea.

"It's nice to have the Torreys let us use this land," Esten said.

Those who enjoy antique tractors come from towns throughout the region.

This year, though, not much plowing got done. After all the rain we've had, the fields were too soggy. At one point today, Esten said, it took two tractors to pull out another one that got stuck in the mud.

"Normally, this whole field is plowed by now," Esten said, pointing to a northern plot that shows only a few passes of a plow.

Esten said his wife, Ginger, sons Mike, 29, Nick, 27 and Matt, 24, are a big part of getting the weekend organized, which includes manning booths in a barn for local community groups.

Pictured above are, Louis, Ginger, Mandy, Ayden, Nick, Mary, and on the back of the tractor, Chuck (Louis's brother), Josh, Memphis and Nathan.

I discovered the antique tractor plow days yesterday afternoon, arriving at the farm when nobody was around. I took several pictures of tractors and then headed back today and met Louis and his family and took a few more pictures.

More pictures after the jump:

A panel of doctors and other professionals will discuss the topic of "Managing the High and Lows of Depression & Bipolar" from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 9, at City Church Generational Center.

It's located at 15 Center St. in the City of Batavia.

May is Mental Health Month in Genesee County and this presentation is a partnership between City Church and the Mental Health Association in Genesee County.

Panelists are:

• Dr. Beth Allen and Pat Sine, director, of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Rochester
• Rosalie Sawyer, peer advocate
• Dr. Joseph Langen, retired psychologist
• Dr. Lawrence Guttmacher, clinical director, Rochester Psychiatric Center

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will be able to ask the panelists questions.

The Mental Health Association in Genesee County can be reached at 344-2611.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is sponsoring a Create-a-Video Contest and the winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

The contest consists of creating an original/amateur video depicting the mission and vision of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, incorporating its motto to "Lend a Hand for Hope."

The creator/creators of the winning video will win the cash prize in exchange for the rights to use the video to enhance the foundation's marketing efforts. The contest is open now until June 1.

Create a one to three minute Youtube video outlining the mission and purpose of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation (all information about the organization is located on the Web site below). For full details, go to the Web site: www.michaelshope.org

See the related video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0W0yE6INA

The contest is open to everyone. Entrants under age 18 will need parental consent.

The winner to be announced this fall.

The parents of Michael Napoleone established a foundation in his memory after he died in 2006 from Burkitt's Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. During Michael’s yearlong illness, the community rallied around the family to assist with food, gas, medical bills and other necessities.

The foundation was created to give back to those who cared, to give forward to those in need, and to support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission to “Lend a Hand for Hope” by:

• assisting families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment with expenses related to hospital stays;
• providing those children with support during treatment and the means to remain connected with school, family and friends;
• supporting ongoing research efforts in pediatric blood cancers;
• offering assistance to youth organizations and community sports programs in Michael’s memory.

E-mail is michaelnapoleonememfoundation@verizon.net

The Dwyer Stadium Box Office will open for the 2011 season at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14. Tickets for Opening Day and ALL regular season games for the season will be on sale.

The box office will be open until 2 p.m. Normal box office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Season seat holders will be able to pick up their season tickets on Saturday. Fans interested in season tickets can also stop by the stadium and pick out their seat for the 2011 season.

The Muckdogs will also host their summer Job Fair on May 14. The event will be held at the stadium from 9 until 11:30 a.m. Positions available include picnic supervisor, cashiers, cooks, bartenders, batboys and ushers. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Additionally on Saturday, the Muckdogs will conduct the fourth annual National Anthem contest. This event will begin promptly at noon. Auditions will take place at home plate and will be performed a cappella.

The winner will sing the National Anthem and "God Bless America" at the July 4th game between the Muckdogs and Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Runners-up will be eligible to sing at remaining home games.

The Muckdogs Booster Club will also be hosting their annual yard sale during the festivities at Dwyer. Various items will be for sale. Remember, "one man’s junk is another man’s treasure!"

The Muckdogs open their 2011 home schedule at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, June 17 against the Auburn Doubledays.

The Salvation Army will host its first Youth “May”-hem  Dodgeball Tournament beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28.

The  tournament, for youth in grades 6-8, will be held at The Salvation Army, 529 E. Main St. in Batavia. Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams. A concession stand will be open to sell snacks and drinks.

Team registration forms and tournament rules are available at The Salvation Army, can be e-mailed or faxed.

For more information contact: Capt. Patty at 343-6284 or e-mail at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org.

Late yesterday afternoon, I took a drive out through Elba, Oakfield and the Town of Batavia. Here's four photos from the drive.

Above, a horse at Macomber and Townline roads, Batavia.

A tree on Pekin Road, Elba.

I suspect this is an old outhouse, but I'm not sure. On Pekin Road, Elba.

Flowers by a pond on Slusser Road, Batavia.

The Empire Cup and College Showcase is under way at Genesee Community College this weekend.

The event brings together more than 50 colleges and universities from throughout Upstate New York for nonstop soccer.

From what I saw from my brief time at GCC today, soccer fans might enjoy attending Sunday. It's a pretty high level of competition.

The event was moved to GCC from the Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road because those fields remain heavily saturated from recent rains.

Today's pictures can be purchased by clicking here.

More pictures after the jump:

A car has reportedly struck a small metal can on Route 19 just south of Sackett Road causing a fuel spill.

The can is lodged under the vehicle.

It's believed to be a small spill.

Bergen Fire Department is responding.

A chief reports there is a second incident further down the road involving another can.

UPDATE 9:38 p.m.: The southbound lane is closed.

UPDATE 10:32 p.m.: Traffic being allowed through "real slow."

UPDATE 10:42 p.m.: Bergen's engine returning, but fire police staying on scene until the DOT arrives on scene.

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: Jane Corwin's answers are now added to the original post.  Click here.

It's been three days since the answers were due on the set of trade and agriculture questions we sent to the four candidates in the NY-26 special election to fill the seat vacated by Shirtless Chris Lee, and still no reply from Jane Corwin.

We've been promised the answers, but have not yet received them.

It would be interesting to know Corwin's answers because on one hand, the head of her party in the House of Representatives, Speaker John Boehner promised the passage of three free-trade agreements if the GOP won a house majority.

On the other hand, when she announced her candidacy, Corwin promised to be an independent voice in Washington and not beholden to the House leadership.

So we don't really know where Corwin stands on what may be one of the most important votes likely to come up during her first few months in office, should she win.

Is Corwin authentically in support of free trade agreements or will she oppose such deals? We still don't know.

With most Democrats and some Republicans opposing the deal, whomever wins the NY-26's race could wind up casting a crucial vote.

Kathy Hochul, Jack Davis and Ian Murphy all told The Batavian they oppose the South Korean trade deal and would vote no on ratifying the treaty if elected.

There are also pending free trade deals with Colombia and Panama, which Boehner has promised to get passed.

About 200 Le Roy High School students witnessed one of their classmates being carried away in a body bag by four volunteer firefighters on Friday.

The student wasn't dead, just an actor in a multi-agency demonstration for the youths about what happens when people drink and drive and get into serious auto accidents.

The event was put together by Tim Hogel and Christina Marinaccio of the Le Roy Fire Department. Also participating were the Stafford Fire Department, Le Roy Ambulance (who's members also assisted to planning and setting up the drill), Mercy Flight, Le Roy Police, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County Emergency Services and Coroner Bob Yungfleisch.

"We wanted them to know, to have a firsthand experience," said Le Roy Chief Mike Sheflin. "We can read statistics to them all day long, but we wanted them to really see what happens, to have a friend being put under an orange blanket and in a body bag."

The scene set up in the parking lot of the high school involved two cars, four student actors and two mannequins. The demonstration, lasting more than an hour, showed students what happens when first responders arrive on scene -- from providing immediate medical treatment to extricating people trapped in cars.

The re-enactment portrayed a double fatality accident with one person being trapped in a car and the other being thrown from a vehicle. Yungfleisch pronounced both victims dead at the scene and went through all the steps he normally would in documenting the deaths.

Two other students were "transported" by ground ambulance and a third student was transported in a Mercy Flight helicopter. (He described the ride as "bumpy.")

At least three students --Lindsay Snyder, Ashley Russo, Shelby Joshlin -- said the demonstration had a real impact on them.

"It’s traumatizing for everyone," Lindsay said. "Even if you don’t know them, it still impacts you. Even in just acting, it kind of makes you stop and think, what if that happened to me?"

Ashley said the demonstration really showed her that driving while intoxicated is really bad and Shelby added that she would do everything she could to keep people from drinking and driving.

"If somebody needs a ride, even if I’m not friends with them, they can give me a call and I’ll come and give them a ride," Shelby said. "I don’t want to see this happen to anybody I know."

Hogel said he's known five young people over the past five years involved in fatal DWI accidents, which was part of the reason he wanted to put this demonstration together.

"If we can influence just one person not to drink and drive then I’m happy with it," Hogel said.

Of course, just about every volunteer firefighter, police officer and EMS responder has dealt with a fatal accident. Often people they know are involved, so how these accidents effect their own families is never far from their minds.

The 17-year-old daughter of Scott Kibler, 1st Assistent for Stafford Fire, was in the audience, and Kibler said he's warned his daughter many times about drinking and driving.

"Of course, she's only 17 and shouldn't be drinking at all, but I can't be with her twenty-four-seven," Kibler said.

“I’ve told her I’ve seen what happens firsthand at fatal accidents involving alcohol," Kibler said. "As a parent, the last thing I want to do is get woken up in the middle of the night to go to a fatal where she’s involved, whether she’s involved injured or uninjured."

UPDATE: Here's the names of the students who participated. Ben Eadie road in the bird, Chelsie Hixenbaugh had the broken leg, Emily Hogle had an arm injury, Gino Forte was the drunken driver, Chris Merica played the role of DOA.

More pictures after the jump:

A car on the Thruway has apparently lost its fuel tank and spilled fuel "all over" the roadway.

The spill is in the eastbound lane in the area of mile marker 388.6.

Town of Batavia firefighters dispatched.