NYSAFC Spring 2012 Seminar Series Announced

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NYSAFC is pleased to announce the Spring 2012 Seminar Series "Taxpayer/Strip Mall Fires: Is the Risk Worth the Reward?" with Captain Ken Begbie, FDNY, and Chief George Zayas, West Haverstraw Fire Department. Seminars will be held in five locations from February through March of 2012.

Look around at almost every town in America. These types of buildings are everywhere. Fires in stores and other commercial buildings are firefighter "injury and death factories." More firefighters are killed per alarm in commercial building fires than any other, basically because they don’t occur every day.

This program will focus on what makes fires in "taxpayers" so dangerous for firefighters, as well as what tactics and procedures will help keep firefighters safe. Designed for everyone from the newest firefighter to the chief of department, this program will give participants an in-depth look at the many hidden dangers involved with this type of building fire and will make one think, "Is the risk worth the reward?"

Ken Begbie is a 29-year veteran of the fire service currently assigned as captain of Engine Co. 63 in the Bronx. His previous assignments include Engine 82 and Ladder 31 as a firefighter and Engine Co. 47 as a lieutenant. Begbie is also a life member of the Haverstraw Fire Department where he reached the rank of captain. He is a certified New York state fire instructor working at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, as well as a NYSAFC Hands-On Training Program instructor.

George Zayas is a 27-year veteran of the fire service currently serving as chief of the West Haverstraw Fire Department. Zayas is also a certified New York state fire instructor working at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, as well as an instructor for the NYSAFC Hands-On Training Program and FDIC H.O.T. Program.

For additional information, including dates, times and locations, or to download a pre-registration form click here.