On March 11, 2026, 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 participated in the New York State Fire Service Alliance Advocacy Day in Albany. 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.

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 were among the New York state delegates who attended the Congressional Fire Services Institute 36th Annual Fire & Emergency Services Symposium & Dinner from March 18-19 in Washington, D.C. They connected with fire service leaders from across the nation and met with members of Congress to discuss the concerns of fire/EMS responders. Pictured L to R: Director Tim Boel and President Rich Lyman (NYSAFC), President Bill Streicher (Coordinators), Chief Ed Rush (NYSAFC Government Affairs Committee), and Director Jill Holland (AFDSNY).

Fire Service Attorneys Terry Hannigan and Mark Butler will present two programs at the NYSAFC 120th Annual Conference & FIRE 2026 Expo in Syracuse. Accredited “New York State Fire Commissioner Training” will take place on June 10. A new course, “Command Decision-Making: The Legal Considerations and Consequences,” will be held on June 11. Students can register for one or both programs at The Oncenter, and registration includes a Conference Full Term pass.

 Fire officials from across New York visited the state Capitol on March 4 and warned that a continuing decline in volunteer firefighters has created a public safety crisis. 

Volunteer firefighters, chiefs, fire coordinators, and other representatives from across the state held a press conference earlier this month in East Syracuse to ask for support as they look to provide financial compensation to volunteer firefighters.

Rural emergency medical service agencies across New York are in need of funding and systemic changes to continue helping save lives, a newly released report about the state's EMS system reveals.

Metered Site: Part of the problem for rural ambulance services, their operators say, is the state’s Medicaid reimbursement rates for emergency medical services, which cost more than twice what the state is willing to pay for them.

Governor Kathy Hochul and other officials from both parties criticize the Trump administration for risking World Trade Center survivors’ health by reassigning workers from the World Trade Center Health Program to agencies like border protection.

The IAFC is running a campaign to ask Congress to fund the federal fire service programs at DHS. Use the IAFC’s Legislative Action Center to contact your senators and representative.

Terry O’Leary will serve in an acting role until confirmed by the New York State Senate.

Pilot and co-pilot killed and several others badly hurt when an Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck on a runway while landing at LaGuardia Airport.

Minoa officials are setting aside money to hire part-time firefighters to work alongside volunteers.

Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore draws on her 30-plus-year EMS career to spotlight the financial realities facing first responders.

One person was killed, and at least 10 others were injured in a chain-reaction crash involving an FDNY truck and three other vehicles in Brooklyn.

The Argyle Fire Department faced substantial damage to its firehouse after it was struck by a delivery truck, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

How Ready is EMS for Children?

The overnight camp for girls ages 14-19 will be held July 19-24 at the Utica Fire Training Academy.

Officials honored Tony Cruz for his decades of protecting the public and educating firefighters about cancer risks and safety practices.

Alan Gardiner joined the department in 1997 and quickly rose through the ranks.

Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan announced Michael Reilly as the new Rome fire chief, succeeding retiring Chief David Gratch.

Chief Andrew Mallow retired from the Elmira Fire Department after serving 27 years.

Tim Overly has been named the new chief, according to the Chemung County Fire and Emergency Management agency.

View the NYSAFC calendar of events.