NYSAFC Announces Annual Conference Keynote Speaker

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is pleased to announce the 113th Annual Conference & FIRE 2019 Expo Keynote Address, “My Story and Philosophy,” as delivered by Syracuse University Football Coach Dino Babers. The program, open to all attendees, will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter – Crouse Hinds Theater, Syracuse, N.Y. The event will be returning to the Salt City for the first time in 14 years.

Coach Babers led the Orange through a great season, restoring the team’s standing as a forceful NCAA presence, with the team ranking 15th by the end of the season and defeating West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl. The lessons he has learned and his mastery of the football field apply to the challenges and opportunities that await the fire chief.

As NYSAFC adopts Syracuse as the “home” of its Annual Conference and Fire Expo for at least the next three years, the association is excited that an individual whose persona resonates nationally, as well as with the Syracuse community, will help welcome attendees and relay his own story of the transformation of another Syracuse tradition – SU football.

Coach Babers will be speaking about his background in coaching – where he came from and his inspiration on the field. He’ll also talk about the culture of his program, his coaching “philosophy,” and lessons learned that apply to leaders in all fields, including the fire service.

“We couldn’t be more proud to announce Coach Babers as our keynote speaker,” said Chief Julius J. Leone Jr., president of NYSAFC. “We know how much the Orange means to the community of Syracuse, and we wanted to show our respect to the region for hosting us this year by including someone who makes the city proud. We can all take in something from his model for success and ability to guide others.”

The annual conference and expo will take place at the Oncenter from June 12-15, 2019. Attendee information can be found here.

The keynote address is sponsored this year by VFIS.