The BUGLE

Bruce Heberer took the helm of NYSAFC on January 1, 2020. As chief executive officer, he will serve in a part-time capacity overseeing the association's four staff members and will be responsible for operations of the not-for-profit organization. Heberer served as an interim executive director from September 2018 to December 2019 and was a member of the association's board of directors from 2016-2019. A career member of the City of Johnstown Fire Department in Fulton County since 1987, Heberer has been serving as chief of department since 2006. He has also been a member of the Berkshire Fire District since 1986.

Chief Stefano (Steve) Napolitano of the City of Batavia Fire Department was appointed to the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs board of directors in January 2020, filling the Career Director position vacated by Chief Bruce Heberer, who was recently named chief executive officer. Napolitano has been a member of NYSAFC since 2003. He has been serving as Batavia fire chief since 2017 and previously served with the Frankfort and Herkimer Fire Departments.

The purpose of this program is to financially assist PERMA and NYSAFC Fire Department Members in obtaining equipment that will help reduce injury and illness within their agencies.

"Risk Reduction is Everyone's Function" is the theme for the 2020 event, which will be held May 1-3 at the New York State Academy of Fire Science. The conference brings together educators from across the United States and Canada to discuss new programs and methods for enhancing fire department fire/injury prevention and fire/life safety public education programs.

Regional Hands-On Training opportunities are now available at sites across New York state. The new Fire Behavior on the Inside program has been scheduled for October 24-25 in Ulster County. Flashover programs will be held in Franklin, Orleans, Saratoga, Ulster, and Wayne Counties. Registration forms are available on the NYSAFC website under the "Events & Training" menu. Departments interested in hosting training can submit a host registration form, also available online.

February 28, 2020, is the deadline to submit applications and nomination forms for NYSAFC's 2020 scholarship and award program. Full eligibility criteria and forms are available online. Awards include the Fire Educator of the Year, Public Education, and Career and Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year.