By Chief James Harrington, Gates Fire District
Chairman, NYSAFC Paid Officers Committee

Career fire officers from across the state are invited to join us on Friday, June 14, 2013, at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y. for the annual meeting of the Paid Officers Committee of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. This year we will meet in the Saranac/Canandaigua/Chautauqua Rooms located on the second floor of the Conference Center. A lunch will be provided at 12:00 p.m. for those attending, followed by two special presentations for the group.

We have invited Ms. Sarah Duvall and Dr. Derek E. Bell, M.D. from the University of Rochester Medical Center to discuss firefighter burn injuries. A video presentation from the District of Columbia Fire Department will be shown explaining the seriousness of burn injuries and what preventative measures can be taken to avoid these types of injuries.

The second presentation will be made by Dean Marianne Buttenschon from Mohawk Valley Community College who will explain the objectives of the New York State Consortium of Community Colleges and how this group can assist the fire service in officer development and education. Buttenschon and members of the committee will be in attendance to discuss various ways your local community college can assist with officer development for lieutenants, captains, and chief fire officers in your department.

If you can spare two hours from your busy schedule that day while touring the grounds at the Turning Stone, I believe these two programs will be very beneficial to the members of your department. We look forward to seeing you at FIRE 2013 on June 14.

Special thanks to E-One for sponsoring lunch for this meeting.