Applying the theories of leadership in the real world was just one of the topics explored at the third annual Emergency Services Leadership Symposium October 15-16 in Saratoga Springs, NY. NYSAFC offered this rare program on leadership development to help prepare the next generation of fire officers to meet the challenges of an ever-changing fire service.


Classroom sessions and lectures offered by some of the leading experts in the fire service today included, "Assessing Risk in Your Department" from Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) Curt Varone of the Providence (RI) Fire Department and FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka with "Five Alarm Leadership."

"This year’s symposium brought some of the brightest minds in our fire service together again," said NYSAFC President Al Varlaro. "This unique opportunity provides a very small classroom session with the nation’s best speakers."

"Limiting class size is one of our goals," said NYSAFC Executive Director Tom LaBelle. "You can see many of these speakers at the national trade shows, but to be able to have breakfast with them, socialize and discuss your specific concerns, makes this venue really special."

NYSAFC’s core mission is education and the development of the fire service. Few of the association’s many programs so closely hit the mark as the Leadership Symposium. Small classes and unfettered access to instructors in a laid-back casual atmosphere allow attendees to truly think "outside the box."

The kick-off with Salka’s "Five Alarm Leadership" program really cranked folks up. Salka has a great approach to working with new and experienced members to get each of us to be, and give, all we can. Captain Charles Bailey of the Montgomery Co. (MD) Fire/Rescue Service really pushed folks to think outside the box with his dry wit and focus on not assuming any of us really knows it all. It drove home the complexities of today’s fireground and reminded everyone that cookie cutter tactics won’t always work.

Saturday opened with Varone’s "Assessing Risk in Your Department." His experience as a chief and nationally recognized fire service attorney brought a new perspective on how each of us looks at risk and what we can do individually and organizationally to limit that risk.

Finally, the program ended with one of the most dynamic speakers the association has seen in years, Battalion Chief Bob Burns and his program "Bridging the Gap – The Application of Leadership Theory in the Real World." After years of teaching leadership to line officers and chief officers in the FDNY, Burns took a look at four key elements of leadership and gave concrete examples of their application at the fire house.