NYSAFC Announces 2016 Seminar Series

For 2016, NYSAFC has reintroduced its annual Seminar Series to provide additional educational opportunities for fire service personnel of all ranks at sites throughout New York state.

The 2016 Seminar Series, "Collyer’s Mansion and Hoarder Home Fires: A Firefighter’s Worst Nightmare," will be presented by Captain Ken Begbie and Firefighter Robert LaGrow, Fire Department City of New York (FDNY), in nine locations throughout New York state. The series begins in February and will conclude in November 2016. Special thanks to the Seminar Series sponsor, VFIS.

This program will review the additional challenges firefighters will face while responding to a fire in the home of a compulsive hoarder. As if the fireground isn’t already a hazardous and deadly place due to newer construction and the extreme fire loads encountered today, a fire in the home of a compulsive hoarder presents a myriad of problems and dangers to first responders by adding hundreds of pounds of stored/hoarded material, furniture, and clothing to the mix. These types of homes are becoming more prevalent in our society. Such change demands the fire service to reevaluate tactics. This program will review tactics and make firefighters and officers more aware of the horrid conditions that will be encountered in these residences. Remember, even the most seasoned firefighter could find himself in a bad situation at one of these fires.

Seminar sites and dates include:

Albany County
February 25, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Shaker Road-Loudonville Fire Department
550 Albany-Shaker Rd. • Albany, NY 12211

Clinton County
March 12, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
Stafford Science Building Auditorium • Clinton Community College
120 Clinton Point Dr. • Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Cayuga County
March 23, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Bisgrove Community Theater • Cayuga Community College
197 Franklin St. • Auburn, NY 13021

Westchester County
April 27, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Westchester County DES
4 Dana Rd. • Valhalla, NY 10595

Chautauqua County
September 28, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Fredonia Opera House
9 Church St. • Fredonia, NY 14063

Otsego County
September 29, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Worcester Fire Department
36 Church St. • Worcester, NY 12197

Oneida County
October 19, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Whitesboro High School
Route 291 • Marcy, NY 13403

Monroe County
November 16, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Gates Fire Station #1
2355 Chili Ave. • Rochester, NY 14624

Rensselaer County
November 17, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Defreestville Fire Department
350 North Greenbush Rd. • Troy, NY 12180

Both lecturers are longtime NYSAFC instructors. Ken Begbie is a 32-year veteran of the fire service currently assigned as captain of FDNY Engine Co. 63 in the Bronx. Previous assignments include Engine Co. 82, Ladder Co. 31, and Engine Co. 47. Begbie is also a life member of the Haverstraw Fire Department, where he reached the rank of captain. He is a certified New York state fire instructor working at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, as well as a NYSAFC Hands-On Training program instructor. Robert LaGrow is a 22-year member of the fire service. He is chief of the West Haverstraw Fire Department and a firefighter with FDNY assigned to Ladder Co. 39 in the Bronx. Previous assignments include Engine Co. 63, Ladder Co. 34, and the Flashover Training Program at Randall’s Island. LaGrow is a New York state fire instructor and has worked at the Rockland County Fire Training Center for 18 years. He serves as an instructor for the NYSAFC, FDIC, and Firehouse Expo Hands-On Training programs.

Pre-registration and on-site registration will be available for $15 per person (NYSAFC Individual and Department Members) and $25 per person (non-members). Click here to download a 2016 Seminar Series registration form.