Register Now for NYSAFC's Water Rescue Conference

Registration forms are now available for the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs' first Water Rescue Conference. The conference will take place September 14-15, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y. It will include a full day of lectures with leaders in water rescue from the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), plus hands-on training evolutions led by USCG instructors.

Lectures will take place on Saturday, September 14 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel & Conference Center in Buffalo. Hands-on training will be conducted on Sunday at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Buffalo.

Registration for the program is $100 per person (for NYSAFC Individual and Department Members) and $125 for non-members (per person). It includes five lectures and hands-on training activities. Click here to download a registration form.

The program will include:

Lectures – Saturday, September 14, 2013

"Water Rescue"
Executive Petty Officer Thomas D’Amore, United States Coast Guard

"Drowning Care for the Prehospital Care Provider"
NYS CIC David Cole, DC Solutions

"Swiftwater & Hurricane Response – FDNY Special Operations Command"
Chief of Rescue Operations Stephen J. Geraghty, FDNY

"SCUBA Capabilities & Operational Readiness – FDNY Special Operations Command"
Battalion Chief Richard J. Blatus, Rescue Operations Battalion, FDNY

"Contaminated Water Diving & How It Relates to FDNY SCUBA Operations"
Captain/Company Commander James Murray, Rescue Co. 5, FDNY

Hands-On Training – Sunday, September 15, 2013

Participants will work hand-in-hand with U.S. Coast Guard personnel at the Coast Guard Station in Buffalo to practice the lessons learned from Saturday’s lectures regarding safe water rescue. Teams will take turns entering the water in a controlled environment to secure and remove victims from the water.

PPE requirements: Students must supply their own wet or dry suits and bring the equipment they use and train with to ensure there is no real loss of confidence with their own equipment. Any specialized equipment needs to be approved by USCG on-site before the event.

Click here for full program details.