{"id":68449,"date":"2025-09-24T21:01:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T01:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=68449"},"modified":"2025-09-24T21:01:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T01:01:46","slug":"genesee-county-legislature-commends-professionals-for-distinguished-service-in-response-to-bus-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/genesee-county-legislature-commends-professionals-for-distinguished-service-in-response-to-bus-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Legislature commends professionals for distinguished service in response to bus crash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First responders and support personnel pose for a group photo with Genesee County legislators after being recognized on Wednesday afternoon by the legislature for their \u201cexceptional bravery, professionalism and dedication\u201d while responding to the tragic tour bus crash of Aug. 22 on the NYS Thruway in Pembroke. Photo by Mike Pettinella\/For Video News Service.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BY MIKE PETTINELLA
For Video News Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A demonstration in teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how Tim Yaeger, Genesee County Emergency Management Coordinator, summed up the efforts of the county\u2019s first responders and support personnel who provided services during the tragic tour bus crash of Aug. 22 on the NYS Thruway in Pembroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at a commendation ceremony at Wednesday afternoon\u2019s Genesee County Legislature meeting, Yaeger thanked lawmakers for the recognition on behalf of the 30 or so first responders — including firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, emergency medical teams, dispatchers, coroners and support personnel \u2013 who, according to the legislative proclamation, \u201cdemonstrated exceptional bravery, professionalism and dedication under extreme and uncertain circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe talk about teamwork, we talk about collaboration \u2026 that day it was demonstrated,\u201d Yaeger said. \u201cEverybody there who responded, hyper focused, did their job they were trained to do. There were no issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein read the proclamation to the audience as well as a certificate of appreciation from Sen. George Borrello and a citation from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Genesee County Legislature proclamation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEREAS, an unprecedented and tragic accident occurred on August 22, 2025, involving a tour bus on the New York State Thruway in Genesee County near Pembroke which prompted the largest single mobilization of First Responders in recent memory, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEREAS, these first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, emergency medical teams, dispatchers, coroners and support personnel, demonstrated exceptional bravery, professionalism and dedication under extreme and uncertain circumstances, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEREAS, through swift action, coordinated response, and unwavering resolve, these individuals provided critical medical care, redirected traffic safely, managed communications, and brought order during a time of chaos and urgent need, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEREAS, their dedication reflects the highest ideals of public service and exemplifies the spirit of patriotism, sacrifice, and duty that strengthens and sustains our communities, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEREAS, the actions of these heroes deserve not only public recognition but also the full support and appreciation of the Genesee County Legislature and the people whom they represent. Now, therefore, be it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Legislature honors and commends the First Responders whose courageous efforts during this historic mobilization embody the finest traditions of service and sacrifice.  Be it further, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Legislature hereby expresses their profound respect, enduring gratitude, and continued commitment to supporting the vital work of our emergency response professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Among those recognized for their response and support on that day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Chief Dan Mault on behalf of the Pembroke Fire District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Representatives of the East Pembroke Fire District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Representatives of the Corfu Fire District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Darien EMS President Caity West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Representatives of the Town of Batavia Fire Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Chief Craig Johnson of the Le Roy Fire District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Representatives of the Le Roy Ambulance Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Representatives of the Bethany Fire Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Mercy Flight EMS Paramedic Crew Chief Tyler Shaver, Crew Chief Kyle Enzinna, BLS Crew Chief Wesley Rehwaldt, Dispatcher Christopher Maher, Flight Paramedic Daniel Hankey, and representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Tim Yaeger of the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Genesee County OEM Deputy Director Gary Patnode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Sheriff Joseph Graff, Deputy Sgt. Richard Schildwaster, Deputy Sgt. Kyle Krzemien, Deputy Sheriff Kevin McCarthy, Deputy Sheriff Austin Heberlein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Director of Emergency Communications Frank Riccobono, Dispatchers Beth Hynes, Jason Holman, Stephen Smelski, Senior Dispatcher Robert Tripp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Paul Pettit, Genesee County Public Health director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Coroners Don Newton, Drew Klotzbach, Karen Lang, Sandra Owen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Lynda Battaglia, Mental Health Services director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Carla Mindler, Social Services commissioner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First responders and support personnel pose for a group photo with Genesee County legislators after being recognized on Wednesday afternoon by the legislature for their \u201cexceptional bravery, professionalism and dedication\u201d while responding to the tragic tour bus crash of Aug. 22 on the NYS Thruway in Pembroke. Photo by Mike \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":68451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,108],"tags":[5335],"class_list":["post-68449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genesee-county","category-pembroke","tag-thruway-bus-crash"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-hO1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":67496,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/genesee-county-county-commends-unified-response-to-thruway-bus-crash-last-friday\/","url_meta":{"origin":68449,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/County commends unified response to thruway bus crash last Friday","author":"aka","date":"August 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Genesee County is commending the unified response of local first responders, county departments, regional partners, and state agencies following the tragic tour bus crash on theNew York State Thruway this past weekend. This incident underscored the vital importance of preparation and planning, as every layer of thecounty\u2019s emergency\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":72381,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/13\/genesee-county-state-police-arrest-driver-in-pembroke-fatal-bus-crash-on-the-thruway\/","url_meta":{"origin":68449,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/State Police arrest driver in Pembroke fatal bus crash on the thruway","author":"aka","date":"February 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/i6byc2Rmx-w Video of State Police Press Conference in Batavia on Friday afternoon Bin Shao was arraigned in Genesee County Court on Friday afternoon before Judge Lightcap Cianfrini with Public Defender Jamie Welch. He pleaded not guilty on all charges. Shao will next appear in Genesee County Court on March 9th\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SHAO-MUG-1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SHAO-MUG-1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SHAO-MUG-1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":67334,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/22\/genesee-county-several-confirmed-fatalities-and-multiple-people-injured-in-bus-accident-in-pembroke\/","url_meta":{"origin":68449,"position":2},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Several confirmed fatalities and multiple people injured in bus accident in Pembroke","author":"aka","date":"August 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"NYS Police UPDATE: Friday evening-UPDATED August 22, 2025, at 8:15 P.M. On August 22, 2025, at 12:22 P.M., Troopers out of SP Buffalo, Troop T responded to a tour bus rollover collision on Interstate 90, eastbound between exits 48A and 49 in the town of Pembroke, Genesee County. Investigation determined\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bus-still-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":67386,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/23\/genesee-county-nys-police-update-on-tour-bus-rollover-on-thruway-names-of-deceased-released\/","url_meta":{"origin":68449,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/NYS Police Update on tour bus rollover on Thruway\/names of deceased released","author":"aka","date":"August 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATED August 23, 2025, at\u00a012:45 P.M. On August 22, 2025, at 12:22 P.M., Troopers out of SP Buffalo, Troop T responded to a tour bus rollover collision on Interstate 90, eastbound between exits 48A and 49 in the town of Pembroke, Genesee County. Investigation determined that a 2005 Van Wool\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Business-Suite_creation_1305781424457693-scaled.jpg?fit=1023%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Business-Suite_creation_1305781424457693-scaled.jpg?fit=1023%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Business-Suite_creation_1305781424457693-scaled.jpg?fit=1023%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Business-Suite_creation_1305781424457693-scaled.jpg?fit=1023%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":68091,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/09\/12\/genesee-county-pembroke-honors-firefighters-who-responded-to-the-fatal-bus-accident-on-the-thruway-in-august\/","url_meta":{"origin":68449,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Pembroke honors firefighters who responded to the fatal bus accident on the thruway in August","author":"aka","date":"September 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Members of the Pembroke, Corfu and East Pembroke fire districts were recognized at the Pembroke Town Board meeting on Thursday evening, for their response to the Aug. 22nd fatal tour bus accident on the Thruway. Video of presentation with Pembroke Supervisor Thomas Schneider-Sept.11th, 2025","rel":"","context":"In "Corfu"","block_context":{"text":"Corfu","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/corfu\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250911_192221-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C540&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250911_192221-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C540&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250911_192221-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C540&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250911_192221-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C540&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250911_192221-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C540&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":76693,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/genesee-county-bus-driver-pleads-guilty-to-five-counts-of-criminally-negligent-homicide-in-pembroke-bus-accident\/","url_meta":{"origin":68449,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Bus driver pleads guilty to five counts of criminally negligent homicide in Pembroke bus accident","author":"aka","date":"July 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Bin Shao, 56, of Flushing\/Queens, NY, accepted a plea deal in Genesee County Court on Monday afternoon, and pleaded guilty to five counts of criminally negligent homicide, a class E felony, before Judge Melissa Cianfrini. Originally, Shao also faced five counts of Manslaughter 2nd degree, a class C felony. Those\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SHAO-MUG.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SHAO-MUG.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SHAO-MUG.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/thumbnail_20250924_180904-1.jpg?fit=1440%2C1566&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68449"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68454,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68449\/revisions\/68454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}