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.
After several years of aggressive lobbying by FASNY, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that greatly benefits volunteer first responders in New York. Firefighters and EMS personnel who qualify under the terms of the law cannot be fired from or lose their jobs while they are engaged in…
Read moreBy Brian McQueen “You have cancer!” … the three words that no one would ever want to hear. These three words are truly game changers in the life of countless firefighters across our country. For my family, my friends and the brotherhood within the fire service in my county, surrounding…
Read moreMichael Whelan’s impressive record of service to FASNY and the fire service is really just the beginning of the story – there was so much more to Michael, who passed away December 18, 2014. FASNY First Vice President Ken Pienkowski summed it up best when he said, “Michael was one…
Read moreBy Harry Barrett, Fire Prevention and Life Safety The Fire Prevention and Life Safety Committee under the leadership of Bob Sutton is gearing up for 2015. Sutton has scheduled monthly phone conferences, which have been very productive. We will kick our agenda off at a mini conference in January in…
Read moreBy Charles Angione January 28, 1986. I was in a hurry as I walked through the fourth street door to headquarters station. I was off duty and just had enough time to grab a book from my locker before picking up Joan at her office for lunch at Primo’s, a…
Read moreEvery year, more firefighters die in the line of duty because of heart attacks than any other cause. This February, take time during American Heart Month to know your health and learn what you can do to lessen your risks of heart attack and other life-threatening or life-altering conditions. Many…
Read moreBy Anita L. Pelletier, Esq., Michael J. Cooney, Esq. and Brian W. Mahoney, Esq. Local volunteer fire companies and the men and women who serve enjoy a special position of trust within our communities. Firefighters are called upon to serve some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and their exemplary performance is…
Read moreBy Kristen Batchelder, MPA They aren’t always the most glamorous calls. They aren’t the ones that get your adrenaline pumping or allow you to call upon your extensive training in emergency response. Instead, it’s the call for the elderly man who is wandering in the woods in the winter without a coat or shoes.…
Read moreBy Marsha Holland, FASNY Fire Prevention and Life Safety Committee “What I see I may forget, what I hear I may not remember, but what I do, I understand.” This is the motto and main focus for the Children’s Safety Education Village located in Ashville, New York, in beautiful Chautauqua…
Read moreBy Chief Billy Goldfeder I remember years ago watching young firefighters in volunteer companies race to ride the front seat – after all, the radio, the sirens and the horns were the priority. In career departments, firefighters would want to “ride up” when the lieutenant or captain had the day…
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