Oneida County Fire Service Legislative Update Draws Largest Turnout to Date
January 31, 2009
On January 31st, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) was joined by elected officials, fire chiefs and executive officers from various volunteer fire departments, and others at the Deerfield Fire Department for the 5th Annual Oneida County Fire Service Legislative Update, co-sponsored by the Oneida County Volunteer Firemen's Association and the Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association.
Participants discussed improvements that were made to the county fire service; the needs of the fire service as they relate to training and legislation; project grants in video conference equipment for the fire service; and 5 bills: Health Insurance; Volunteer FF/EMS Job Protection; Utility Rate Reduction; Tuition Assistance Program and Property Tax/Income Tax Reduction.
Those who attended the legislative breakfast included Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and other county legislators, the Oneida County VFA and Oneida County Fire Chiefs' Officers and co-sponsors, Congressman Michael Arcuri, NYS Senator Joseph Griffo, Director of Policy Development Troy Waffner from NYS Senator David Valesky's Office, NYS Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, representatives from Herkimer County VFA, representatives from Onondaga County VFA, Director of Emergency Management for Oneida County Fred VanNamee, FASNY's 1st Vice President David Jacobowitz and Director Brian McQueen, FASNY Legislative Representatives Kirby Hannan and Jan Van DeCarr, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Executive Director Tom LaBelle, President William Owen Jr., and Vice President Al Valaro.
The turnout at the January 31st meeting was the largest in five years, with more than 180 people in attendance.
< Back to Press Releases