CoSer 609: Energy Management Program
This program provides assistance to participating school districts in evaluating their energy use. This evaluation involves energy auditing of existing buildings to determine the potential savings from renovations, as well as a review of plans and specifications of proposed building renovations and/or additions for energy efficient design. Surveys of a building™s energy using systems are performed to determine their operating performance, including boiler efficiency tests and lighting surveys. Monthly and annual monitoring of utilities is provided along with recommendations for savings through changes in service classification or purchasing of natural gas or electricity. To assist maintenance staffs, technicians are available to assist with temperature control calibrations, steam trap inspections and HVAC repairs. Inservice workshops are held for maintenance personnel to discuss the efficient operation and maintenance of building systems. Equipment such as boiler firetube cleaners, temperature recorders and electrical testing devices are available for loan to the maintenance personnel. For further information on this program contact: Dean McKnight, Program Manager for Safety, Energy and Facility Services ((716) 376-8249opens phone dialer).
Additional Services Available Under 609 COSER
District Must Belong to Base Service to Receive Additional Services
CoSer 609.011: Cooperative Purchase of Natural Gas
A school district that meets the requirements of their local utility may purchase natural gas directly from a supplier and transport this gas over local utility lines, resulting in significant savings to the district. Participating school districts in this service will cooperatively purchase natural gas.
CoSer 609.012: Cooperative Purchase of Electricity
A school district that meets the requirements of their local utility may purchase electricity directly from a supplier and transport this electricity over local utility lines, resulting in significant savings to the district. Participating school districts in this service will cooperatively purchase electricity.
CoSer 610: Safety/Risk Management
The program provides assistance to participating school districts in complying with state and federal regulations governing the health and safety of their students and employees. These regulations include Hazard Communications (Right-To-Know), AHERA asbestos regulations, emergency planning, the Chemical Hygiene Standard for laboratories, Bloodborne Pathogens and Petroleum Storage Tanks. Current information on regulations and other issues such as Indoor Air Quality is disseminated through bimonthly newsletters. BOCES staff meets with district administrative personnel to review their safety plans, training programs and records and to make suggestions for improvement. Assistance is provided to the district staff in chemical inventory, labeling and storage, the implementation of asbestos management plans,the development of emergency plans, the development of safety policies and procedures and employee training. Training videos and materials are made available to district staff. BOCES staff will also assist district personnel during any PESH inspection. For further information on this program contact: Dean McKnight, Program Manager for Safety, Energy and Facility
Services ((716) 376-8249opens phone dialer).
Additional Services Available Under 610 COSER
District Must Belong to Base Service to Receive Additional Services
CoSer 610.010(Base)/610.011: Safety Policy Manual/Fire Safety and Building Inspections
BOCES staff provides and annually updates a District Safety Policy Manual that contains all policies required by the various regulatory agencies. The policies include Hazard Communications, Chemical Hygiene, Disaster Preparedness, Exposure Control, Lockout/Tagout and Confined Space Entry. The manual is provided both in hard copy and as word-processor files. NYS certified code enforcement officials are provided to perform the annual fire inspections and to be members of the district team that performs the annual visual fire and safety inspections.
CoSer 610.020(Base)/610.021: Chemical Inventory and MSDS Coordination
BOCES staff will complete and update a district chemical inventory and compile a file of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS™s) both in hard copy and as computer files. A management system for the inventory of hazardous substances and the organization of MSDS™s will be developed. The service includes the development of a written Hazard Communications Plan and a Chemical Hygiene Plan for school laboratories.
CoSer 610.030: Specialized Training – Asbestos Handling, AED, Rightto-Know, Lockout/Tagout, and Bloodborne Pathogens
BOCES staff will coordinate and/or provide all required safety training for school district personnel as well as other safety training as requested. Training includes hazard communications (“Right-to-Know”), asbestos awareness, emergency procedures, lockout/tagout procedures, bloodborne pathogens, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) procedures and safe work practices. Training can be on site or on-line through the BOCES web site. Initial and annual refresher training through a certified agency is also provided for staff to obtain New York State certificates for asbestos worker/handler, contractor/supervisor and inspector management planner. Training records will be maintained by BOCES and provided to the district.
CoSer 610.040: School Safety/Security Assessment and Training
**CABOCES must have an active role in the following services listed in order to properly generate aid. For further information on this or additional questions, please contact Dean McKnight directly.
- Security Assessments – Vendor assessments are provided for every building in a district which include but not limited to site visits, pictures, videos, drone coverage, and physical inspections. The 5-year partnership provides valuable feedback, recommendations and annual updates to help increase safety and protection in the event of an emergency, specifically active shooter incidents.
- Security and safety glass installations – Vendor provides several options for security glass installation.
- Onsite active shooter trainings – Vendor provides several levels of active shooter trainings (both classroom style and hands-on) for faculty and staff.
CoSer 610.070: Rapid Responder Program
This new service is an all-hazards emergency preparedness and crisis management system that securely stores critical information for use by the facility personnel and first responders in your area. The system provides information needed to effectively prepare for, respond to and recover from an emergency. Securely hosted by Prepared Response (the host company), the system does not require additional hardware, software or IT support. The system can also be used for day-to-day facilities, security management, and operation.
CoSer 614: Coordination of Bus Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing
This coordination service includes policy and procedures development, medical officer review, employer and supervisor training and assistance with record keeping. Testing service available under Program 614.010. Districts must belong to coordination service 614 to participate in testing service (614.010).
CoSer 614.010: Testing Program for Bus Drivers (CDL Holders)
This program provides a full compliance drug and alcohol-testing program for drivers with Commercial Driving Licenses (CDL’s). Testing includes pre-employment, random selection, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and return-to-duty. Testing is provided primarily on-site utilizing a mobile collection vehicle.