News from the association’s Capital District headquarters.

The climb, to be held in conjunction with the 113th Annual Conference & FIRE 2019 Expo, will take place on June 14 at AXA Towers in downtown Syracuse - just a short walk from The Oncenter. There are many ways to lend your support: Climber ($35), Virtual Climber ($25), Team ($35 per person), or Donor. All proceeds will benefit the FDNY Counseling Unit and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Registration is open for free 16-hour (2-day) programs in Albany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Dutchess, Franklin, Niagara, Onondaga, and Tompkins Counties. Limit of 36 students per site.

Welcome home and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Brockport Past Chief Larry Vaughan, who serves as a member of the NYSAFC Communications Committee.

Congratulations to Mike McEvoy, NYSAFC past EMS director, current member of the association's EMS Committee, and longtime contributor to SIZE UP magazine and The NYSAFC Bugle.

First responders, survivors, and their advocates - some sick and disabled - rallied at the Capitol to demand Congress never forget their sacrifice and restore the 9/11 victims compensation fund that is nearly gutted.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is cutting its payouts in half for some and by as much as 70 percent for others, as the fund faces a surge in claims ahead of its expiration date in December 2020.

Many rural fire departments that are already strapped for volunteers and other services want to be able to bill insurance companies for emergency medical calls.

Fire Chief Willie Jackson was recently appointed to lead the department.

Three members of the fire service have been charged in connection with drug rings that operated in Orange County.

Lawyers on both sides, in seeking an end to the civil rights case, pointed to new hiring practices that over the years resulted in a more diverse fire department.

The fire police officer was not reported to be injured following the incident in Lockport.

Albany Airport Firefighter Josh Woodward continues on the road to recovery.

A father and four daughters were killed in a house fire earlier this month. Two smoke alarms inside the home had no batteries.

Fire chiefs need to take care of themselves so they can better take care of their people.

Eric McMahon will serve as the next fire chief, replacing Thomas Garrett, who recently retired.

In anticipation of his impending retirement, Chief Robert Williams reflected on the broad scope of responsibilities that he has managed.

New ambulance reimbursement model; DOH EMS community page on Facebook.

The programs, some featuring live fire training, include: Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera Ops, Advanced Vehicle Extrication, Aggressive Interior Fire Attack, Fire Behavior on the Inside!, Fire Flows and Water Supply, Hoarder Fires, Machinery Rescue Ops, Multifaceted Elevator Rescue, Rapid Intervention/FAST/Survival, and Truck Company Essentials.

February is American Heart Month.

Training on June 12 at The Oncenter in Syracuse satisfies the mandatory training required of all fire district commissioners.