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 Chief Kevin D. Quinn, National Volunteer Fire Council Chairman If your department is like most volunteer or combination departments in the U.S., you struggle to maintain the staffing needed to provide the adequate level of service to your community. The numbers are clear. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)…
Read moreBy Richard Chudy In 2016, each and every volunteer fire department in New York State will be faced with all of the same issues: recruitment, retention and training. Recruitment Our next generation of volunteer firefighters will be a unique group of individuals. This generation was brought up with the mindset…
Read moreBy John S. D’Alessandro, FASNY Secretary Democracy is defined as “the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government.” On November 7, a democratic spirit filled the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany as the 2015 FASNY Legislative Conference kicked off. The first…
Read moreBy Bryant D. Stevens, New York State Fire Administrator As we close out 2015 and move into the new year, I must applaud the statewide fire service organizations on their collaboration with the state Department of Labor and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) in the development of…
Read moreBy Dr. Christopher F. Nollette, Ed. D., NREMTP, LP My friend and colleague, Chris LeBaudour, has been traveling the country teaching us about ethics and values. Through his presentations, Mr. LeBaudour has awakened our fellow professionals and inspired our students to come to know themselves better by identifying values and…
Read moreBy John S. D'Alessandro, FASNY Secretary When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage, Give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, Or save an older person from the horror of that fate.…
Read moreBy Dick Nagle, Croton Volunteer Fire Department The village of Croton on Hudson is located about 35 miles north of New York City. Many of its 8,000 residents commute into the city each day while many others work at jobs in the larger metropolitan area. Finding sufficient qualified personnel to…
Read moreFASNY members from across the state joined Association leadership in Albany for the 143rd annual celebration of the volunteer fire service August 18-22 at Convention. Volunteer firefighters walked the exhibition floor, attended training sessions and enjoyed many other events, including the inaugural Michael D. Whelan Walk in the Park. More…
Read moreEvery bedroom needs a working smoke alarm. If you didn’t know that, you’re not alone. An online questionnaire distributed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) showed that less than half (42 percent) of approximately 36,000 respondents did not know that a smoke alarm should be installed in each bedroom…
Read moreBy Ex-Capt. Steve Grogan, Lynbrook Fire Department He always wanted to be a firefighter. He dreamed it as a child. And he planned on becoming one after he completed his military service. On May 29, that wish came true when wounded warrior and now-discharged U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Marcus Dandrea…
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