NYSAFC's 2023 award recipients were recognized during the General Session of the 117th Annual Conference & FIRE 2023 Expo on June 15 in Syracuse, NY.

Lieutenant Mike Ciampo (FDNY) will present “Truck Skills Beyond the Textbooks” in Albany (October 23), Erie (October 11), Fulton (September 7), Monroe (November 8 ), Oneida (October 25), Orange (September 5), Otsego (October 2), Rockland (November 6), St. Lawrence (November 15), Saratoga (October 24), Westchester (October 4), and Wyoming (November 2) Counties. Registration is $35 (NYSAFC Individual and Department Members) and $50 (non-members) per person. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Registration is open for Regional HOT scheduled for sites across New York state. "Fire Behavior On the Inside" will be held in Clinton, Herkimer, and Jefferson Counties. "Flashover" is coming to Broome, Orleans, Oswego, and Otsego Counties. "Beyond the Basics" will be delivered in Schenectady County. Programs are now being scheduled for 2024.

Fire departments and county agencies or associations that are interested in hosting classroom-based programs or Regional Hands-On Training are invited to submit host request forms. The forms outline the specific host responsibilities and logistical considerations for each NYSAFC program. Sites are now being considered for programs in 2024.

Thomas J. Wutz Sr. passed away on July 15, 2023, due to illness resulting from his deployment to Ground Zero following the September 11, 2001, attacks. Wutz served with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control, retiring as chief of the Fire Services Bureau in 2011.

Volunteer EMTs helped save more than a dozen hikers during the flood emergency in Rockland County.

Forest rangers in the state Police Benevolent Association who traveled to Canada to assist in this summer's record-breaking Canadian wildfires want state lawmakers to take action next year to ensure the state will be better prepared in case a similar event strikes New York in the future.

Trained in fire fighting, they went to remote woodlands in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Volunteer firefighter membership in one county is becoming increasingly reflective of the community.

The FDNY made a major bust while inspecting for illegal lithium-ion batteries. So far this year, the batteries have caused fires that have killed more than a dozen people.

State EMS Council Salary Survey; Community Paramedicine Bill Signed Into Law.

Individual Members of NYSAFC can view free webinars available on demand from association partner, Lexipol. Recent programs include "The Company Officer's Dilemma," a 2-part kitchen table conversation with Dr. Ed Sherman and Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder.

From GoRail – resources available for first responders, including mobile app and training.

Many members of NYSAFC were among the fire service leaders inducted into the CCFA “Lifetime Service Hall of Fame” during the celebration. Honorees included NYSAFC Past President James King and Past Director George Rivers. 

The city of Beacon’s first career fire chief, Gary Van Voorhis, ended his career last month with a retirement ceremony at City Hall. Tom Lucchesi is the new chief of the department.

150 years of service has flown by for the Village of Scotia Fire Department. Members recently invited the community to look back on the history of the agency.

The chief was honored for a life-saving rescue following a motor vehicle accident in Monroe County.

View the NYSAFC calendar of events.