The BUGLE

New York State Association of Fire Chiefs

Association News
This year, PERMA awarded $5,000 grants to 22 fire departments across New York state to purchase a new gear washer or dryer, which will help reduce firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens. NYSAFC salutes PERMA for its ongoing commitment to firefighter safety and wellness.

Visit https://www.nysfirechiefs.com/blog_home.asp?Display=142 to view the full article online.

 
 
   
Open enrollment is available for NYSAFC Regional Hands-On Training scheduled for sites across New York state. Fire Behavior On the Inside is coming to Fulton, Monroe, Orange, Schenectady, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Flashover will be held in Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Saratoga, and Steuben Counties. Agencies interested in bringing training to their region should submit a Host Request Form, available for each of NYSAFC's four Regional HOT courses – Fire Behavior On the Inside, Fire Behavior From the Outside, Flashover, and Beyond the Basics.

Visit https://www.nysfirechiefs.com/calendar_list.asp to view the full article online.

 
Registration is open for this program, hosted by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control and NYSAFC. Once again this year, one-day in-person conferences will be held in Monroe (May 9), Saratoga (May 3), and Suffolk (April 26) Counties. Session information is forthcoming. Join us as we mark 50 years of advancing fire/life safety and fire/injury prevention through the Fire & Life Safety Educators' Conference and Training Series.

Visit https://on.ny.gov/4gZjH5z to view the full article online.

 
Wendel
Government Affairs News
 
   
Members of NYSAFC, including Director Tim Boel and Government Affairs Committee Chairman Greg Anderson, were among the New York state delegates who attended the Congressional Fire Services Institute 35th Annual Fire & Emergency Services Symposium & Dinner, February 12-13, in Washington, D.C. They participated in seminars, connected with fire service leaders from across the nation, and had the opportunity to meet with members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, to discuss critical issues impacting the emergency services.

Visit https://cfsi.org/ to view the full article online.

 
Funding for the WTC Health Program is secured through 2027, but a federal resolution passed in December 2024 left its long-term financial future uncertain.

Visit https://www.firerescue1.com/9-11/trump-administration-reverses-planned-cuts-to-wtc-health-program to view the full article online.

 
Emergency Services News
Firefighter John "JR" Gaudet of the Binghamton Fire Department was lost in the line of duty while responding to a fire on Main Street on February 12, 2025.

Visit https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/public-safety/2025/02/19/binghamton-gathers-for-fallen-firefighter-funeral-service/79183390007/ to view the full article online.

 
First of its kind assessment shows more than half of first responders experience high levels of stress, burnout, and mental health challenges.

Visit https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/supporting-first-responders-governor-hochul-unveils-findings-new-york-states-first-responder to view the full article online.

 
Several buildings across Central New York have collapsed due to the heavy snow that was dumped on much of the region. The Barneveld firehouse is the latest to fall. Chief Kevin Kalk said no one was injured and they were able to get all apparatus and most equipment out in time.

Visit https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/heavy-snow-causes-barneveld-fire-station-to-collapse/ar-AA1zCoqh to view the full article online.

 
When checks started bouncing, Sheridan Park fire officials realized hundreds of thousands of dollars were gone.

Visit https://www.firehouse.com/leadership/video/55270106/fbi-probing-after-bank-account-of-tonawanda-ny-fire-department-wiped-out to view the full article online.

 
The firefighter had to be cut out of the truck and suffered minor injuries.

Visit https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/east-syracuse-firefighter-taken-to-hospital-after-crash/?utm_source=t.co&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral to view the full article online.

 
Subscription Site: Fire engine manufacturing is now largely controlled by three companies. Around the country, prices have soared, and orders can take years to fulfill.

Visit https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/us/fire-engines-shortage-private-equity.html?searchResultPosition=1 to view the full article online.

 
Access Compliance, LLC
Blaze Stack
Firemedically Speaking
NAEMT EMS Staffing Paper; IAFC Heart Safe Community Awards.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nfc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=868081&issueID=107733 to view the full article online.

 
Program & Event Updates
 
   
The premier fire/EMS expo and educational event in the Northeast returns to Syracuse. Exhibits will be open Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7 at The Oncenter. Free One Day Tickets for entry to the expo will be available from vendors to distribute to their customers and free parking will be available at The Oncenter lot and garage. Inside exhibit space sold out at the 2024 event!

Visit https://www.nysfirechiefs.com/fire2025exhibitors to view the full article online.

 
 
   
Nearly 4,500 attendees and more than 150 exhibitors participated in this year's expo and educational event, held January 31 – February 2 at Nassau Coliseum. The event, hosted by NYSAFC and Islip Town Fire/EMS Museum, included classroom lectures, accredited EMS and Codes Training, Hybrid Vehicle Extrication Hands-On Training presented by the Suffolk County Fire Academy, plus interactive sessions for junior firefighters. The exhibit floor was expanded for 2025, and sold out again this year. Thank you to our attendees, exhibitors, instructors, and volunteers for your support! Look for details on the 2026 expo later this year.

Visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/nysafc-fire/albums/ to view the full article online.

 
Around the State
The International Association of Fire Chiefs Eastern Division (EDIAFC) Conference is scheduled for May 8-10, 2025, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lake George, NY. The theme is “When Disasters Happen.”

Visit https://www.ediafc.com/ to view the full article online.

 
New Schenectady Fire Chief George Burns took the reins of the department, vowing to maintain the agency’s standard while pushing recruitment efforts and seeking efficiency in the department.

Visit https://www.dailygazette.com/news/new-schenectady-fire-chief-burns/article_cdf5b160-efc1-11ef-9aa5-c702fad9bab2.html to view the full article online.

 
It’s the job that Doug Orlowski has trained for, waited for, and says he’s more than ready for.

Visit https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-tonawanda-installs-fire-chief-121700511.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr to view the full article online.

 
Battalion Chief Michele Fitzsimmons joined the FDNY and was assigned to Engine 289 in Queens, just four months before the 9/11 terror attacks.

Visit https://www.firerescue1.com/women-in-firefighting/fdny-makes-history-with-first-female-deputy-chief to view the full article online.

 
Tony Opalka’s magisterial new book, “The Firehouses of Albany,” delves into the architectural history and beauty of the city's fire stations.

Visit https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/grondahl-new-book-celebrates-albany-s-glorious-20159014.php to view the full article online.

 
C.T. Male Associates
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs
www.nysfirechiefs.com
1670 Columbia Turnpike | P.O. Box 328
East Schodack, NY 12063-0328
Phone: (800) 676-FIRE | (518) 477-2631
Fax: (518) 477-4430