The Monroe County Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is sponsoring a seven-hour training program to familiarize elected officials, emergency responders, municipal employees, and the private sector with the impacts of hazardous weather and its influences on public safety practices and protocol in Monroe County.

The seven-hour course will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23 at the Gates Chili Fire District, 2215 Long Pond Road. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and public and private emergency responders may register for the free course by contacting the OEP at 473-0710.

Working with the American Red Cross and the National Weather Service, Monroe County recently completed a week long preparedness campaign focused on educating the community about the National Weather Service and winter warning terminology; the importance of understanding road condition forecasts; and vehicle preparedness and vehicle operating safety tips.