New York State Emergency Management Association

03/24/2026

⚾🔥 NYSEMA IS HEADED TO YANKEE STADIUM! 🔥⚾
Step out of the EOC and into the big leagues for an afternoon with your fellow emergency management professionals for an unforgettable day at the ballpark!

Join the New York State Emergency Management Association on Saturday, May 23, 2026 as the New York Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays at iconic Yankee Stadium!

🏟 Location: Yankee Stadium
🗓 Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
⏰ First Pitch: 1:35 PM

Premium Experience – MasterCard Batter’s Eye Deck
✔️ Centerfield field-level gathering space
✔️ Main level seating
✔️ All-inclusive dining (food, soda, beer & seltzers included)
💲 Cost: $140 each
🎟️ Registration: https://nysema.wildapricot.org/event-6627541
**Must register with NYSEMA and pay by April 23, 2026**

This is more than just a game, it’s a chance to connect, network, and strengthen the relationships that matter before, during, and after emergencies… all while enjoying America’s pastime!

03/20/2026

STRONG LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH PREPAREDNESS.

The New York State Emergency Management Association is proud to continue our partnership with our colleagues at the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services to assist in delivering the NYS Emergency Management Certification & Training (EMC&T) Tier 1 for County Chief Elected and Appointed Officials, which was held earlier this week at the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) 2026 Legislative Conference in Albany.

This important, multi-faceted training helps ensure that our local chief elected and appointed leaders are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and coordination strategies needed to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.

By strengthening the connection between our emergency management professionals and decision makers, we are building stronger, more prepared and resilient communities across New York State together.

Thank You to New York State Emergency Management Association Vice President (and Washington County, NY - Department of Public Safety Deputy Director) Tim Hardy for representing the organization and our emergency management professionals alongside New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services OEM Director Pete Cichetti and Deputy Director Jennifer Wacha.

02/16/2026

RECAPPING - MEMBERSHIP MONDAY
Each year at our annual NYSEMA Conference, we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the New York State Emergency Management Association members who have reached milestone years of service in our organization. Congratulations to those recognized and thank you for your continued membership and dedication!

When acknowledging members for their years of service milestones at this year's conference, NYSEMA President Chris Baker said “Years of service represent more than time, those years represent countless hours of planning, responding, supporting communities, and standing ready when it matters most. On behalf of NYSEMA, it is my honor to recognize our members whose dedication and professionalism continue to make a lasting impact across New York State. Thank you for your service, dedication and your continued leadership advancing Emergency Management in New York State.”

MORE ABOUT NYSEMA MEMBERSHIP
The New York State Emergency Management Association (NYSEMA) is a professional organization of emergency managers, responders, government agencies, elected officials, and members of the private sector who are committed to building strong partnerships to minimize the impacts of disasters on the citizens and communities of New York State. NYSEMA Members must fall into one of two categories, Active Member or Associate Member - to learn more about the specifics, visit our website here: https://nysema.org/join.html

Connect with NYSEMA 👉: https://linktr.ee/NYSEMA

02/14/2026

: THANK YOU TO OUR VENDOR PARTNERS
On behalf of all of us at the New York State Emergency Management Association, we extend our sincere appreciation to all of our vendor partners who supported this week!

Your commitment to innovation, preparedness, and operational excellence plays a critical role in strengthening our local, county, and state capabilities. From cutting-edge technology and communications solutions to response equipment and training resources, your partnership helps ensure our communities are safer, stronger, and more resilient.



Connect with NYSEMA 👉: https://linktr.ee/NYSEMA

02/13/2026

NYSEMA PRESIDENT CHRIS BAKER ISSUES CLOSING REMARKS ON

As we closed out our 2026 New York State Emergency Management Association Conference yesterday in Syracuse, I wanted to take a few moments to reflect on what we accomplished together this week:

First and foremost, THANK YOU to our speakers, our sponsors, our partners at the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, the staff of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Syracuse Destiny USA and every attendee, who committed your time, your expertise, and your passion to our annual conference. Your presence and engagement has helped to make our time together more than just another “conference” - it has created a safe forum for shared learning, connection, and real progress.

Throughout the twelve sessions over the last three days, we have engaged in thoughtful discussions about emerging risks, highlighted best practices in planning and response, and recognized the ongoing challenges facing our communities and the Emergency Management profession across New York State. From improved mitigation strategies and inclusive preparedness efforts, to strengthening our capacity for response and recovery - our work remains grounded in the collective responsibility we share to best protect our residents and communities.

NYSEMA was built on the principle that we are stronger together, that no single agency, office, or person can meet the demands of today’s hazards alone. Whether urban, rural, large, or small, each of us bring valuable perspective and experience that elevate our entire emergency management network.

To our new members and first-time attendees, we hope to see you again! And… to our long-standing members and returning attendees, THANK YOU for your continued dedication to helping make our NYSEMA conferences a destination for Emergency Management professionals throughout New York State. I encourage all of us to take the ideas, the collaborations, and the renewed energy we’ve shared this week back to our teams and communities to build stronger programs, deepen partnerships, and keep pushing forward the standards of excellence that the Emergency Management profession is built upon.

As we look toward the future, let our time together, serve as a reminder that the work of emergency management is not bound to a single location or moment - it is ongoing, evolving, and most effective when we support one another.

Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU the members of our NYSEMA Executive Board - this team of dedicated professionals work tirelessly throughout the year, in addition to their everyday duties, to support the needs of our members, the organization and our profession throughout New York State.

We look forward to seeing you all next year… February 9th – 11th, 2027!

~ Chris Baker, President

Stay connected with NYSEMA 👉: https://linktr.ee/NYSEMA

02/12/2026

IT'S OVER? DAY 3 @
We can be sad it's over, but we sure did have a fitting send off, didn't we?

As we start to pack up, NYSEMA President Chris Baker looked back on this morning's sessions and said “It’s hard to believe Day 3 has already brought to a close. While we may be sad it’s over, we couldn’t have asked for a stronger send-off. From Asheville Fire Department's Assistant Chief Jeremy Knighton’s powerful lessons on how Hurricane Helene stress-tested Asheville’s emergency management program, to former FEMA Administrator Brock Long’s many experiences, challenges and forward-looking vision on preparing us as emergency managers for what’s next... this morning's sessions reminded us that this profession is built on resilience, learning, and constant readiness. We leave inspired, better prepared, and more connected than ever ready to take these lessons home and strengthen emergency management across New York State.”

Connect with your New York State Emergency Management Association 👉: https://linktr.ee/NYSEMA

02/12/2026

We're sliding in to DAY 3 (sadly, our last one) in Syracuse!

We've got two great leaders in Emergency Management on tap that have led many through disasters:
- How Hurricane Helene Stress Tested Asheville's EM Program
- Preparing for What's Next: The Future of Emergency Management

Grab and Go Agenda: https://bit.ly/NYSEMA2026Agenda

02/11/2026

IN THE REAR VIEW: DAY 2 @
A day FULL of informative and enlightening presentations and discussion with local and national industry subject matter experts on...
- "Leading through catastrophe"
- Getting the Most out of Weather Support for EMs
- NASA's Disaster Response Coordination System
- Artificial Intelligence 101 for EM Professionals
- Managing an event, what could possibly go wrong?
- Increasing awareness and appropriate use of 211, 911 and 988

Recapping another great day, New York State Emergency Management Association President and Cattaraugus County Office of Emergency Services Director said “Day 2 of reinforced what we know to be true, the emergency management profession is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. From leading through disasters to leveraging AI, using earth observations, maximizing weather intelligence and connecting our communities with information sources, emergency and mental health assistance - today’s sessions challenged us as professionals to think bigger, plan smarter, and serve our communities better. Preparedness is not static, it demands innovation, collaboration, and leadership at every level.”

Get your Agenda on the go for the week: https://bit.ly/NYSEMA2026Agenda

Connect with your New York State Emergency Management Association 👉: https://linktr.ee/NYSEMA

02/11/2026

A look back at Day 1 of - THANK YOU for a great day of important updates and training components from our New York State Emergency Management Association and New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services leaders critical to our Emergency Managers and partners.

- Legislative Updates
- Threat Assessment Briefing for EMs
- Emergency Management Initiatives for the Year Ahead
- Tier 2 Emergency Management Certification Annual Training

NYSEMA President and Cattaraugus County Office of Emergency Services Director, Chris Baker said “When leaders come together, our Emergency Management and Services community becomes stronger. Day 1 of showcased the power of collaboration, timely updates, and forward-focused training for New York’s emergency management professionals and partners.”

02/11/2026

We're about to lock in for DAY 2 in Syracuse!

We've got a STACK of industry leading presenters and great presentations on tap for today, featuring representatives from: Meridian Strategic Services, Inc., US National Weather Service Albany NY, NY State Weather Risk Communication Center, New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 211NY and the NYS Office of Mental Health!

Grab and Go Agenda for the week: https://bit.ly/NYSEMA2026Agenda

02/10/2026

Emergency Management professionals and partners... welcome to Syracuse for !

AGENDA ITEMS - DAY 1 (TUESDAY)
- 12:30 PM - NYSEMA Business Meeting
- 1:00 PM - Legislative Update from Sheridan, Hohman & Associates
- 1:15 PM - Threat Assessment Briefing from New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
- 2:15 PM - State updates from New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
- 3:15 PM - NYS Emergency Management Certification & Training (Refresher for County EMs)

Grab and Go Agenda for the week: https://bit.ly/NYSEMA2026Agenda

01/27/2026

Hey New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), thank you! 👊

This , we’re giving a shoutout to the county emergency managers, highway department crews, and public works teams across New York State who worked tirelessly over the weekend—and continue to work—responding to and recovering from the massive snowstorm that impacted communities around the state.

From coordinating emergency response and keeping residents informed, to plowing roads, clearing critical infrastructure, and restoring access for first responders, these county professionals stepped up under tough conditions to keep New Yorkers safe.

Your long hours, professionalism, and commitment to public service do not go unnoticed. Thank you for being on the front lines when it matters most and for showing, once again, why counties are essential.