On March 26, 2025, members of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, and County Fire Coordinators’ Association of the State of New York traveled to Albany to participate in the annual Fire Service Alliance Advocacy Day. Members met with their Senate and Assembly representatives to make them aware of the critical issues impacting the fire and emergency medical services that are included in the Issues of United Concern legislative agenda. Fire/EMS leaders also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Kathy Hochul and State EMS Bureau Director Ryan Greenberg. NYSAFC officers are pictured with Senator Shelley Mayer. Thanks to all who joined us for the productive day. 

More than 100 vendors (and counting) have signed up to exhibit at the NYSAFC 119th Annual Conference & FIRE 2025 Expo in Syracuse! The exhibit hall will be open June 5-7 at The Oncenter. Once again this year, exhibiting companies will be sharing free One Day Tickets for the expo, and free parking will be available in The Oncenter garage. Contact an exhibitor to request tickets! Tickets can also be purchased in advance or at the door, along with Conference Full Term Registration (for entry to classes and the expo).

IAFF President Ed Kelly says talks with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have heightened attention on saving some firefighter health and safety programs.

Democrats in the New York State Legislature introduced a bill that makes disability benefits for volunteer firefighters with lung diseases permanent. The legislation, also backed by Republicans, would get rid of the current annual renewal requirement so those injured on the job get lasting support.

The Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law, originally established in 1977, is reviewed by lawmakers every five years. The proposed legislation seeks to make this law permanent.

CARES UP provides $60,000 grants to veterans’ organizations, first responder and corrections agencies to implement trauma and mental wellness training. Awards support law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical service members, correction officers, dispatchers, and military veterans.

140 firefighters – 70 who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 who died in previous years – will be honored on May 3-4. Nine firefighters from New York state, including longtime NYSAFC committee member Deputy Chief Thomas J. Wutz Sr. (NYS DHSES OFPC), will be among those recognized. The Candlelight Service (May 3) and Memorial Service (May 4) will be live streamed by the NFFF.

Fire departments across the United States are facing challenges as fire truck prices surge, parts arrive defective, and wait times for new vehicles grow longer.

Advanced Life Support response is much slower in some places, like Brunswick, with no dedicated ambulance service.

The county's rescue squads have been struggling with long response times and employees working 24-hour shifts.

The city has reduced the hours of one of its 24-hour ambulances, the Troy Firefighters IAFF Local 86 announced. Due to reported financial issues, the Medic 3 unit will now only operate for 12 hours.

A new city fire department directive aimed at slashing the rise in 911 response times has provoked a huge backlash, with patients and hospitals claiming it’s actually jeopardizing safety instead of being a lifesaver.

Due to the lack of volunteers across New York, some municipalities are finding other solutions.

The Rochester Fire Department was already on scene nearby attending to a call for service with a fire truck parked and unoccupied with its emergency lights activated.

Former chief Brian Cordasco was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting $190K in bribes to fast-track inspections.

Following a recent vote of no confidence by the Utica Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 32, Chief Scott Ingersoll spoke before the Utica Common Council to address the concerns highlighted by the union.

Joseph Dolan was placed on administrative leave amid allegations that he was double dipping. The city brought 16 misconduct charges against him. Neither State Police nor the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office elected to bring any criminal charges.

There have been at least three battery plant fires in New York over the last two years.

DOH EMS Quality Page Updated; State EMS Bureau Reorganizing.

Photo highlights from this year's Long Island Metro Fire/EMS Expo have been posted! Check out the apparatus and products that were on display, as well as the education programs that were delivered at the event hosted by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs and Islip Town Fire/EMS Museum Educational Center at Nassau Coliseum. Keep an eye out for details on our 2026 event later this year. Special thanks to Chase Millwater, Myles Quinn, and Tim Edwards from Fire News for their photo contributions.

The Daily Mail conducted a series of interviews with some of New York's Bravest, including frequent NYSAFC author and lecturer Lt. Michael Scotto. They talk about life with the FDNY through the decades.

First responders gathered at Inwood Park on March 23 for a remembrance and rededication ceremony honoring the late 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford Jr. of the Inwood Fire Department.

Chief Brian Knapp is working on a plan, inspired by a recent report on the mental health challenges facing first responders, to bring new support systems to local firefighters.

As wildfires increase in the Northeast, volunteer fire departments are helping people get ready for emergencies. A new fire service training academy is equipping locals with the practical skills needed to protect their homes and communities – no prior experience required.

The iconic museum has been closed since it was impacted by construction work damage, the city claims.

Departments across New York participated in the campaign to recruit volunteers on April 26 & 27.

The toolkit from the First Responder Center for Excellence includes a variety of helpful resources on topics such as behavioral health, cancer reduction, and cardiac health curated by experts in the field.

The uniform doesn’t come with a manual for pet ownership – this might help.

View the NYSAFC calendar of events.