On Jan. 23, 2005, six New York City firefighters became trapped on the fourth floor of a burning building. All six jumped from windows, and two firefighters died after the 50-foot fall.

Soon after, FDNY began testing procedures and systems to allow firefighters to more safely exit a building if fire has blocked all doorway exits.

After a couple of years of research, FDNY came up with specification for a rappel system that is lightweight so interior firefighters can carry it as part of their regular gear. 

A Utah-based company then developed a device based on those specifications.

It's now state law that all interior firefighters be equipped with this system, or one like it, and the City of Batavia has become one of the first fire departments in the state, outside of New York City, to purchase and train all of its firefighters on the system, called EXO.

"New York has been using it three or four years, so it's a proven system," said Capt. Craig Williams.

The cost to outfit 36 firefighters and have local crew members trained to use it and train other firefighters was $25,000.

The training isn't as easy as it looks, the firefighters say. They are required to climb out of a simulated second-story window nine times -- three times with no other gear, three times with their breathing apparatus and three times with their face shields blacked out so they can't see -- just as it would likely be in a real fire.

The training is obviously physically demanding. Today, firefighters who completed the procedure were clearly winded once they were on the ground and had their masks off.

Of the local volunteer fire departments, Williams said only Bergen is making the purchase and beginning the training at this time.

Photos: Top, Capt. Jeff Day comes out of a simulated upper-story window at the city's fire headquarters. Inset is Day right after pulling off his mask after reaching the ground. Bottom, is firefighter Dave Adams.

There may be some sort of fuel spill at the wastewater treatment plant in Corfu.

Corfu Fire is being called in for the possible hazmat situation. East Pembroke is requested to respond, as well.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: The plant is located at 100 Crestview Drive. The report is of a smell of fuel coming into the plant.

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: East Pembroke, Darien and Mercy EMS put back in service. Corfu remaining on scene.

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Christopher A. Laird faces a possible three years in state prison after pleading guilty today to a violation of probation.

Local law enforcement had been looking for the 17-year-old since he failed to report to Office of Children and Family Services on Jan. 4. He was listed as "wanted" by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 2.

On April 2, Laird was reportedly spotted in the State Street and North Avenue area of Batavia, which led to a multi-agency search for him, including use of the State Police helicopter.

In accepting Laird's plea, Judge Robert C. Noonan informed the youth that the maximum sentence available under terms of a plea agreement with the District Attorney's office is a revocation of probation and a one- to three-year prison term.

Laird may still face a charge filed last week of obstruction of governmental administration for allegedly running from police on April 2. Public Defender Gary Horton said he believes that charge will be wrapped into the violation of probation case.

At one time, Laird was charged with burglary, 2nd, according to the Sheriff's Office. He is on probation for a case that was adjudicated as "youthful offender," which means whatever crime Laird may have admitted to that led to his probation doesn't stand as a criminal conviction. Horton said he wouldn't discuss the matter because of the youthful offender status, so it's unclear if the probation stems from that burglary, 2nd, charge or some other possible offense.

A Le Roy man who allegedly borrowed a car from a friend and didn't return has been arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Taken into custody on a warrant issued on Feb. 5 was Michael J. Vanbuskirk, 36, of 7930 E. Main Road, Le Roy.

He's also been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance after a search. Det. John Condidorio said the man allegedly possessed crack cocaine in a backpack he was carrying at the time of his arrest.

Condidorio said he found Vanbuskirk on Munson Street yesterday.

On Saturday, the Le Roy Fire Department held its annual awards banquet at Bohn's. Chief Mike Sheflin submitted this picture. From left are, Fire Chief Mike Sheflin, 1st Assistant Fire Chief Tom Wood, recipient of the Fire Chiefs Commendation Award, Past Chief Rick Bater, recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award, and 2nd Assistant Chief Dale Erhardt.

Emily Rose Wells, 25, of 139 S. Main St, Apt. #1, Albion, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. Wells was stopped at the Yellow Goose in Elba after a witness phoned in a complaint about an erratic driver on Route 98 in Barre. The driver allegedly struck a guardrail. The witness followed the car to Elba.

Kate Elizabeth Brozic, 26, of 671 Ogden-Parma Townline Road, Spencerport, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater). Brozic was arrested after Deputy Eric Seppela was dispatched to Route 33 in Stafford to check on a vehicle parked on the roadside.

Accidents reported on the State Police blotter:

8:36 p.m., April 11, Coe Avenue, Oakfield, two vehicles; Driver 1: Christopher M. Ames, 38, of Oakfield; second car was parked. No injuries reported.

8:19 p.m, April 11, Thruway, mile marker 384.5, Stafford, one vehicle; Driver 1: Steven J. Flowers, 19, of Cheektowaga. No injuries reported.

12:23 a.m., April 12, Thruway, mile marker 380, Le Roy, one vehicle; Driver 1: Adam D. Thurman, 29, of Tonawanda. No injuries reported.

It's a growing problem around the United States -- criminals have figured out how to chemically wash the ink off of $5 bills and reprint them as $20, $50 and $100 bills.

Now the crime has come to Batavia.

Det. Kevin Czora said that nine local businesses have been hit by bogus $50 bills. He expects more reports to come in.

It's early in the investigation, Czora said, so he doesn't yet have a total of how much fake currency has been passed in the city.

The bills get by some employees and shop owners because they will pass a pen test -- they are, after all, printed on legitimate U.S. currency paper.

The fake bills, however, are not completely undetectable. There remains a security strip embedded in the bill that says USAFIVE.

The U.S. Treasury Department also maintains a Web site with information on currency printing and how to detect fakes.

One alleged counterfeiter in the Dallas-Fort Worth area reportedly said he produced more than $10,000 in fake bills.

He even bragged about how good the bills looked.

"These bills here are good enough that I think they could have passed," Runge said. "Some of these bills will stay in circulation for quite a while."

A Google search shows that such fake bills are showing up all around the country. There was an arrest recently in Buffalo of a person who allegedly used a fake $50 bill, but the Buffalo News story doesn't mention whether the bill was a washed $5 bill or if some other method was used.

Det. Czora said businesses owners and employees should be extra vigilant when accepting large denominations and to report any suspicious transactions to the City of Batavia Police Department at 345-6350. Descriptions of suspects and their vehicles should be reported as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

Photos: Above, one of the fake $50 bills passed at a local business; below, a surveillance-camera picture of a subject wanted for questioning in the case.

A former Le Roy resident is accused of breaking into a business in the village 11 months ago and stealing money.

Det. John Condidorio made the arrested based on fingerprints the alleged burglar left behind.

Eleven months ago, investigators could not find a match in the State Police database for the latent prints lifted from the scene of the burglary.

But a second check recently found an apparent match to Nicholas S. Dellarocco, 22, currently residing at 1232 Latta Road, Greece.

Dellarocco was reportedly arrested not long ago for another alleged burglary in Monroe County. At that time, he was fingerprinted and his prints added to the state database.

He's been charged in Le Roy with burglary, 3rd, petit larceny and criminal mischief.

The alleged break in occurred May 3, 2009. A local business owner reported that someone broke into the building, damaging doors to gain entry and damaging a cash register in a quest for money. Whomever broke in did find money in a second cash box inside the business.

Dellarocco was arraigned and jailed on $5,000 bail.

Residents at 61 Myrtle St., Le Roy, report the strong smell of smoke coming from a downstairs apartment, but there is no smoke showing.

Le Roy Fire and Bergen Fire are responding.

An assistant chief on scene reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: Le Roy still on scene investigating.

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The Batavia School Board met in the John Kennedy Elementary School cafeteria last night. Left to right: school board members Gary Stich and Gail Stevens, and BHS senior Sahil Jain, student ex-officio.

The superintendent of the Batavia City School District says a key goal of the proposed budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year is to make cuts as need be "without hurting any student programs."

Yet it calls for fewer coaches and their support staff, and cutting teaching positions in each core subject as well as three aides. Decreased enrollment in secondary schools is partly to blame, according to Superintendent Margaret Puzio. There will be no transportation provided for summer school either.

The good news is that BOCES will be getting a 15-percent increase in funding.

Overall, Puzio said the school district projects a "flat budget" for the upcoming fiscal year, meaning minimal or no increase. Certain cuts to be made in order to make room for investments in other areas, according to the trustees.

District Business Manager Scott Rozanski attributes the stable budget to conservative financial practices in recent years, the availability of budget surpluses and the district's decision to pay for some expenses -- for example, construction work on the Administration Building's roof -- with reserves. These factors balance out with a slight decrease in state aid to keep the overall budget where it is now.

Here are some highlights of the budget meeting:

• Almost all extracurricular and athletic activities that are now available will also be available next year. However, there may be fewer assistant coaches and support staff.
• Some changes are going to be made in the elementary summer school programs. Transportation will not be provided for kids attending summer school; they will need to either walk or be driven by their parents. This year, summer school will focus exclusively on improving the reading skills of at-risk students and will consist of small classes. There will be six teachers in each school -- Jackson, John Kennedy and Robert Morris -- and a lot of small-group interaction.
• Because of a significant decrease in enrollment projected at the secondary level, there will be staff cuts in each core subject. Puzio said that there are only about 160 students in the upcoming sixth grade class. The cuts will only effect teachers with the lowest seniority, and they will not lose their jobs if there are retiring teachers in their subject areas.
• Three teacher aide positions will be cut, one from each elementary school.
• There will be a 15-percent increase in the funding of BOCES services, including special, alternative and occupational education, and technology. Rozanski said that the district cut some technology expenses last year; this year, it will be able to "put new purchases back in and move forward with the wireless trend."

The budget's tax-rate information depends on factors that remain to be seen, and will therefore not be available until the fall.

The board unanimously approved the 2010-2011 budget, as well the election of BOCES Board Members. It also approved keeping the student ex-officio stipend so that the board will always have someone to keep them informed on what goes on in the schools.

The public can vote on the school board's budget from noon until 9 p.m. May 18 at one of three locations:

• Jackson Elementary School, 411 South Jackson St.
• Robert Morris Elementary School, 80 Union St.
• Batavia Middle School, 96 Ross St.

Voters must live in the Batavia City School District and be registered to vote.

For more information, please contact the board office at 343-2480. 

ADDITIONAL NOTE

As the meeting came to a conclusion, Puzio distributed a letter from Genesee Valley BOCES Superintendent Michael Glover regarding Governor Patterson's school-aid cuts. According to Glover, these cuts affect less wealthy Upstate districts significantly while unfairly privileging wealthier Downstate districts (he cited Nassau County, Long Island, as an example). For more information on this, contact Rick Timbs, executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, at 315-749-3637, or e-mail <rtimbs@statewideonline.org>.

From left, board members Steven Hyde and Pat Burk, and Bobbi Norton, assistant to the superintendent.

The Pavilion Fire District is responding to a large brush fire reported in Covington, Wyoming County. The caller was at 566 Wyoming Road when he notified authorities about a blaze in the woods in the vicinity of Wyoming and Crossman roads.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported in the vicinity of 56 Harvester Ave. in the City of Batavia. A male driver is unconscious.

UPDATE (by Howard): Officer Ed Mileham said it appeared that the driver of a Ford sedan failed to stop when the driver of a SAAB did stop to make a left-hand turn into a driveway of the Harvester Center.  The driver of the Ford was transported to UMMC.  The driver of the SAAB declined treatment.

A fire alarm with smoke in the building has been reported at 2977 Shelby Road, Oakfield.

Oakfield Fire responded first. Elba and Alabama are also being dispatched. Town of Batavia is requested to the Oakfield fire hall.

UPDATE 10:31 a.m.: The smoke is coming from a dishwasher. Firefighters are going to ventilate the room.  Batavia fire has been sent to Tonawanda Creek as a draft site. East Pembroke asked to respond to the Oakfield hall for standby.

UPDATE 11:23 a.m.: Units starting to go back in service.

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Distracted driving was apparently the cause of a two-vehicle accident yesterday that sent two women to the hospital.

Melinda L. Gurnsey, 25, of 14107 Gillette Road, Albion, said she was looking at her GPS as she approached the intersection of Route 262 and Byron Road in Byron. She reportedly told accident investigator Deputy Matt Butler that she didn't notice a stop sign.

Her 2006 Ford pickup was struck by a Ford pickup driven by Constance S. Rockow, 40, of 927 County Line Road, Hamlin.

Rockow was taken by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital with a complaint of head pain. She was conscious at the time of transport.

Gurnsey also complained of head pain, and was conscious, and was taken by ambulance to UMMC.

She was issued a traffic citation for alleged failure to stop at a stop sign.

The accident was reported at 3:29 p.m.

Batavia is looking for a new fire chief.

The city ran an ad in the Democrat and Chronicle over the weekend offering the position with a salary range of $68,000 and $82,350 per year.

City Manager Jason Molino told WBTA that the new chief needs to be a leader who isn't inflexible.

"We’re looking for a fire chief who’s got an open mind, is eager and has the enthusiasm to move the department forward for the best interest of the community," Molino said.

Interim Chief Ralph Hyde came out of retirement in May 2009 to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Tom Dillon, who was prohibited by the state from drawing a pension and a full-time salary.

Carl Paladino wants to be your next governor.

Frankly, I never heard of the guy until he announced his candidacy. 

Let's just say, his first impressions have not been favorable. He made a rather tasteless comment that Obama's health care reform would kill more Americans than the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We also learned that he apparently fathered a child out of wedlock 10 years ago.

Now come revelations by Buffalo blogger Alan Bedenko (his wife works in Batavia), who has exposed racist and pornographic (to put it mildly) e-mails Paladino forwarded to his political and civic associates. Click here, if you must, but keep in mind that even Bedenko's sanitized versions are not appropriate for children.

The images include screen shots (some parts blacked out) of pornographic movies, including one involving an animal, as well as blatantly racist shots at President Obama, such as a video of African tribesmen dancing under the caption "Obama inauguration rehearsal."

Here's what Paladino said about the e-mails, according to the New York Daily News:

"I confess to being human and imperfect, as are all of God's children," he told a Buffalo crowd Monday. "I am proud that I've created hundreds of jobs and opportunity for people of every ethnicity, color and sexual preference."

Paladino said he "didn't originate any of these e-mails" and was "somewhat careless" in forwarding them.

He said he tried to send the e-mails to "a very specific bunch of friends who somewhat enjoy that humor."

Paladino apologized to women for passing along porn -- but not men.

"I say this to the men out there who have never opened a graphic image on the Internet: Don't vote for me. For those who have, I welcome your vote," he said.

Paladino's campaign manager dismisses the revelation of the e-mails as "we think this is a smear campaign authorized by Democrats in Albany," according to the New York Times.

Paladino is running for the GOP nomination. The NY Daily News says he has ties to the Tea Party Movement.

UPDATE: Buffalo News has a pretty complete story on the topic of the e-mails. Apparently, Paladino thought he was being funny:

Paladino said Satalin referred to Bob Lanier, a Paladino friend and All-America center who led the Bonnies to the NCAA Final Four in 1970.

"He takes me to task, and I respond, "Jim, you've lost your humor,'" Paladino said, adding he was trying to explain he sent the items only for the sake of their humor.

UPDATE II: Now the Buffalo News reports that even tea party leaders want nothing to do with Paladino.

And in Albany this morning, the same Tea Party Express group that staged a rally at Erie Canal Harbor on Monday distanced itself from Paladino — who just a day ago was emerging as a key ally of tea party groups.

"You've seen the emails ... so what makes you think we would support him? That's absolutely incompatible with anything we stand for," said Mark Williams, the group's chairman.

"Pornographic, racist e-mails. How do you think that we would ever support something like that?"

"We will have a parade," City Council President Marianne Clattenburg said tonight after a member of the VFW Auxiliary asked that the council step forward and ensure that the annual Memorial Day Parade is not canceled this year.

Last month, the veterans group that had been organizing it said putting on the annual parade had become just too much.

Barbara Lewis spoke for the Auxiliary and said the parade is just too important to let go.

"It’s so gratifying when you see these proud faces, no longer able to march, coming out of the nursing homes, and the UPS volunteers pushing those wheelchairs, it just breaks your heart. I mean, what can you say? Doen’t that say it all?" Lewis said.

After she spoke, Clattenburg said, "With all of us working together, we can have a parade."

She said the entire council would help make it happen.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian has already started working on organization efforts and said she will be at City Hall on May 5 getting all of the parade participants to sign "hold harmless" agreements, which is necessary for them to participate in a parade.

She said recruiters for the major military branches have committed to participating in the parade.

Councilman Frank Ferrando said as important as the Memorial Day Parade is, the city should spearhead the organization efforts from now on, since volunteers sometimes move, die or move on.

"I just think that’s the heart and soul of who we all are," Ferrando said. "It’s why we’re all here and why we’re able to talk like this. We ought to do it. We ought to make sure it happens. We ought to make sure it’s a big event."

The bargaining team that represented the City of Batavia's 17 CSEA members were fair negotiating partners, City Manager Jason Molino said tonight after the council unanimously approved a new contract with the union.

The council approved the new five-year agreement without any discussion before the vote.

It's the second time Molino has negotiated a contract with the Civil Service Employees Association. Both times union representatives were realistic about the economic situation they faced, he said.

The first time, four years ago, the city was in deep, dire financial straits. This time, New York is facing massive deficits and a prolonged recession.

"The CSEA has always been very responsive to the city’s needs," Molino said. "They’re set on doing what’s best for the community."

The new contract includes no raise in the first year -- just as the last contract did four years ago -- with graduated raises after that, with raises higher than 2 percent in the fourth and fifth year. The contract also asks for greater contributions from employees for health care.

He said negotiations took six months, and there were no major hurdles. Both sides were willing to lay their issues on the table and discuss them openly.

"Like any negotiation, you’ve got to be willing to work at it and come to the table being willing to compromise," Molino said.