Don't Miss NYSAFC's Water Rescue Conference

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NYSAFC is pleased to announce that the association's first Water Rescue Conference will be held in September 2013. This exciting two-day event 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 in the water 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, September 15 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). The program fee includes five lectures and hands-on training activities.

The program will include:

Lectures – Saturday, September 14, 2013

• "Water Rescue" with Executive Petty Officer Thomas D’Amore, United States Coast Guard
• "Drowning Care for the Prehospital Care Provider" with NYS CIC David Cole, DC Solutions
• "Swiftwater & Hurricane Response – FDNY Special Operations Command" with Chief of Rescue Operations Stephen J. Geraghty, FDNY
• "SCUBA Capabilities & Operational Readiness – FDNY Special Operations Command" with Battalion Chief Richard J. Blatus, Rescue Operations Battalion, FDNY
• "Contaminated Water Diving & How It Relates to FDNY SCUBA Operations" with 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.

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 your own equipment. Any specialized equipment needs to be approved by USCG on-site before the event.

Click here for full program details and to download a pre-registration form.