The 138th Annual FASNY Convention: “Striving for Excellence in the Volunteer Fire Service”
The 138th annual FASNY Convention, themed “Striving for Excellence in the Volunteer Fire Service,” drew thousands of volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel and their families from around the state to Suffolk County. The conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Long Island hotel in Hauppauge, took place Wednesday, August 18th to Friday, August 20th, 2010.
The Convention officially kicked off Tuesday night, August 17th, with the 59th annual Past Presidents Dinner in the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Wind Watch Hotel. The following day, the 2010 FASNY Firefighter of the Year Award presentation honored Verona native Firefighters Kevin Oatman, Aldo Caciotti and Jeff Hugunine for their bravery and their innate ability to disregard their own personal safety. The 2010 FASNY EMS Provider of the Year, Valerie White, an active member of Community Ambulance, was honored as well for her exceptional performance in saving a woman’s life. At the conclusion of the awards presentation, an awards luncheon was held in the terrace ballroom to further honor the 2010 FASNY Firefighter and EMS Provider of the Year Award recipients.
One of the major highlights of the 2010 Convention was the addition of the new Fire Service Training Day with nationally recognized presenters on Thursday, August 19th. Speakers and topics of discussion included: Chief Otto Huber of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, “Consolidate or Collaborate;” Brendan Dunn and Robert Stephens of Deep Blue Training Associates, “Vehicle Fires… A Tactical Approach to the Unknown;” John Sroka and Mike Young of VFIS Insurance, “Officer and Administrator Training Series: Sneak Peek;” and Tim Sendelbach, “Fireground Leadership: The Who, What, and How of Fireground Safety & Effectiveness.” United States Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand paid a visit to the Convention to speak to FASNY members and address current issues with the fire service.
During the new full day of training, explorers, juniors and RAMs, ages 14 – 19, had their own training session planned at the Suffolk County Fire Academy, in Yaphank, as part of the second annual Youth Day at the 2010 Convention. The program included search and rescue, SCBA training, hose line advancement, thermal imaging camera practice and other evolutions as supervised by New York State and Suffolk County Fire Instructors.
The Convention concluded with the swearing in of officers followed by a beautiful Memorial Service honoring our deceased, led by FASNY Chaplain Wayne Jagow.