Welcome to The Volunteer Firefighter™, the official magazine of FASNY.
FASNY’s publication strives to bring topical, educational and entertaining information to the volunteer emergency service decision-makers and volunteers throughout New York State. It offers feature articles and columns directly relating to the emergency services, as well as editorial content, training and education opportunities, legislation, fire prevention and life safety articles, and real-life experiences. Read the most recent news and insights below.
by Angela Outhouse, RN, EMT An ordinary person may not think of first responders as a special group or population, but aren’t we? First responders are a group of people tasked with protecting and keeping people safe in many ways. We respond to emergencies, leave our dinner tables, our children’s…
Read moreBy Stacey Bruce, Leonard Bus Sales and Cornice Technology Vice President With the enactment of the 2022-2023 New York State Budget, Governor Hochul’s vision of an all-electric school bus fleet has taken a giant step closer to reality. As school districts and transportation companies float bonds to purchase electric school…
Read moreYou’ve probably come across many articles in firematic communications focusing on the development of leaders in the fire service. What I find to be so unique is the relationship between how we lead in the fire service and how we lead in our daily lives. Whether at work, home, or…
Read moreBy Michael Capoziello A buddy of mine jokes “when are you going to do a what’s in your pockets article,” insinuating that if you write articles for fire service publications eventually you must do the obligatory “tools in the pockets” article. I never considered doing one, but to be honest…
Read moreBy Jerry Knapp, Rockland County Fire Training Center Basement fires are especially dangerous because often we are forced to work above the fire, a very bad place to be. One of the key tactical points noted was to get water on the fire quickly. A blinding flash of the obvious…
Read moreBy Spencer Cheatham, International Association of Fire Chiefs The fire service is known for its love of certificates and certifications. Nearly every firefighter with a few years in has a “love-me book,” a binder full of all their certificates. So, If that is the case, why doesn’t the fire service…
Read moreBy John M. Buckman III Is this the time for the fire and EMS organizations to be different? Can we reimagine our future? What are the challenges we have today that require innovation and creativity? Now is not the time to accept the status quo. “No”, should not be an…
Read moreBy Shane M. Liebler, Senior Editor The year 2022 is a significant one in the history of our Association as we celebrate 150 years of informing, educating and training the volunteer fire service of the great State of New York. Marking the occasion actually started off in earnest during June…
Read moreBy Michael Capoziello “Firecom for … an auto accident … overhead traffic light signal down on a car.” Wait … what? “Firecom for … a plane down, caught in overhead power lines.” Where?! “Firecom for … a crane collapse at a construction site.” What the *@#%!? You never know what…
Read moreBy Jerry Knapp, Rockland County Fire Training Center House fires are our most important alarm. They are where civilians and firefighters die most often. House fires account for 78% of all fire deaths in the U.S., 71% of all injuries to fire and a civilian dies on average every three…
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