NYSAFC 109th Annual Conference & FIRE 2015 Expo at the Turning Stone

There’s still time to register for the NYSAFC 109th Annual Conference & FIRE 2015 Expo at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY from June 17-20, 2015! Here are a few highlights of the event. Complete FIRE 2015 information is available here.

Schedule of Events
Click here for the full FIRE 2015 & NYSAFC 109th Annual Conference Schedule of Events.

NYSAFC FIRE 2015 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Climb the stairwell of the Turning Stone Resort tower for a total of 110 stories to honor the 343 fallen heroes of FDNY. The FIRE 2015 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb takes place on Friday, June 19. Registration is $35. Proceeds will benefit the FDNY Counseling Unit and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Click here to register.

Cookin’ in the House: Chili Challenge
Calling all fire house chefs! There’s still time to sign up to compete in NYSAFC’s chili cook-off on Friday, June 19 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Cypress Rooms! All proceeds will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Last year, over $1,400 was raised for the NFFF at this event. Click here to download a registration form. All attendees and exhibitors are welcome to attend. Tickets are $5 per person to enter the event and sample all chili entries. They’ll be available at the NYSAFC booth (#3163) during FIRE 2015 exhibit hours and at the door.

Hands-On Training
It's not too late to register for NYSAFC's Hands-On Training Program at FIRE 2015. Spaces are still available in the Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera Ops, Advanced Vehicle Extrication Ops, Flashover, Rapid Intervention/FAST/Survival, Rope Rescue, Truck Company Ops I: Getting In & Getting Around, and Truck Company Ops II: Getting Up & Getting On programs. Click here to download a registration form. Call NYSAFC at (800) 676-3473 to inquire about program availability.

Codes Training
Earn CEO in-service credits from the NYS Division of Building Standards & Codes and CES credit from the American Institute of Architects by completing NYSAFC Codes Training on Wednesday, June 17. Click here to download a registration form and learn more about the program.

AFDSNY Commissioner and Treasurer Training Programs
The Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York will be conducting Fire Commissioner Training and Treasurer Training programs in conjunction with FIRE 2015 on Wednesday, June 17. Learn more about both programs and register for these training opportunities here!

OFPC, NYACT, & NICB Vehicle Arson Awareness Program
New training opportunity at FIRE 2015! Click here to register for the OFPC, NYACT, & NICB Vehicle Arson Awareness Program at the Turning Stone. This free training will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015.

Keynote Address by NFPA President Jim Pauley
NYSAFC is pleased to announce that NFPA President Jim Pauley will deliver the association's 109th Annual Conference & FIRE 2015 keynote address "Bringing Safety Home – Partnering to Reduce Fire Loss" on Thursday, June 18 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Showroom. The keynote is open to all attendees. In 2013, approximately 3,200 people died in fires. More than 80 percent of those fire deaths occurred in the place people feel safest – their home. While we have made significant progress in reducing home fires, homes are still the place where the majority of fire deaths and injuries happen. New construction materials and techniques, the contents in homes, and complacency about fire risk have all combined to create a challenging environment for those in fire safety. Increased use of home fire sprinklers and smoke alarms can enhance life safety, but we continue to see resistance to adopting sprinkler requirements and feel the effects of a general public complacency about fire. Jim Pauley will talk about current trends and thoughts on how to collaborate to better protect people, property, and our first responders from fire.

Special Opening Lecture: "In Honor of the Charleston 9: A Study of Change Following Tragedy"
The 109th Annual Conference & FIRE 2015 special opening lecture will be presented by Captain/Training Officer Dr. David Griffin of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department on Wednesday, June 17 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Shenendoah Clubhouse. The program is open to Full Term Registrants only. On June 18, 2007, nine firefighters perished in a warehouse fire in Charleston, SC. What was initially dispatched as a trash fire escalated into one of the most scrutinized events in national fire service history. David Griffin had the unfortunate experience of being the engineer on the first due engine that day. As he operated on the fireground, he witnessed things that he will never forget. In this program, Griffin will present firsthand accounts of that day, share never before seen video footage with radio traffic, and discuss the heavy toll this catastrophic event took on his life. He will review the incredible changes that he and the CFD have made following this tragedy, present scientific research regarding the change process, and explain how this event and his new, innovative research have changed the national fire service. Special thanks to the sponsor of this program, VFIS.

OSHA/PESH Compliance Best Practices for Incident Commanders Panel Discussion
The 8 and 15-hour requirement is history! Learn more during this informative session at FIRE 2015 on Wednesday, June 17 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Shenendoah Clubhouse. This program is open to all attendees. Representatives from NYS DOL, OFPC, NYSAFC, AFDSNY, NYS Fire Coordinators, and FASNY will discuss a new best practices guideline for chiefs and anyone assuming incident command to assure compliance with PESH standards so that everyone goes home at the completion of a call.

Education Programs
Click here for a full listing of FIRE 2015 fire and EMS Education Programs, open to Full Term Registrants only (unless otherwise noted). Certified EMS providers can earn 1.5 CEUs for attending denoted classes.

NYSAFC Memorial Service
Join NYSAFC as we pay tribute to our deceased association members during this moving ceremony on Thursday, June 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Showroom. This ceremony is open to all attendees and the public.

NYSAFC Installation Ceremony
The installation of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs 2015-2016 slate of officers will take place on Saturday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m. in the Shenendoah Clubhouse. All attendees and association members are invited to attend the ceremony, followed by a reception.

Thursday Evening Welcome Reception and Extended Exhibit Hours for Full Term Attendees
New for FIRE 2015! NYSAFC is pleased to announce that FIRE 2015 will feature a Thursday night welcome reception and special evening exhibit hours for Conference Full Term Registrants only. On June 18, exhibits will be open from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. exclusively for Full Term Registrants who will have the opportunity to visit with all vendors and network while enjoying food and drinks.

Get Your NYSAFC Challenge Coins at FIRE 2015
Stop by the New York Fire Book Store booth during FIRE 2015 exhibit hours to purchase your official association challenge coins! The New York Fire Book Store will be located at Exhibit Space #3167, across from the Cypress Rooms. Two numbered, limited edition gold coins will be available for $10 each, honoring those lost on 9/11 and commemorating the term of incoming NYSAFC President Daniel J. Schwertfeger of the Floyd Fire Department (Oneida County). Coins are available on-site only – no pre-orders!

EDIAFC Schedule of Events
NYSAFC welcomes attendees of the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (EDIAFC), which will host its 88th Annual Conference in conjunction with FIRE 2015 at the Turning Stone! Click here for the EDIAFC conference schedule of events.

Partners’ Program
EDIAFC will be hosting a Partners’ Program for the guests of FIRE 2015 attendees on Friday, June 19. The program is $60 per person and includes a luncheon and wine tasting at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua, NY. Click here to download the registration form to learn more and sign up.

NYSAFC 109th Annual Conference & FIRE 2015 Expo at the Turning Stone – Preview