Articles

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.

FASNY: 150 Years Young

By John S. D’Alessandro, FASNY Secretary Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of reflections that will be featured in The Volunteer Firefighter magazine leading up to FASNY’s 150th anniversary in August 2022. On a clear summer day in 1872, firemen were congregating in Auburn, New York, for…

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FASNY Kicks Off Anniversary Year with an Update to Its Name

In 1872, a group of firemen gathered in upstate New York and founded the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. As we prepare for the 150th Anniversary of the Association in 2022, FASNY leadership not only looked back at its history but also began planning for the next…

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Smoke Condition: Regulating Marijuana Use in the Volunteer Fire Service

Significant media attention has focused on the passage of New York’s “Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act” (“the Act”). While the stated intent of the Act is “to regulate, control, and tax marijuana,” coverage of the Act focused primarily on decriminalization and the ability of adults aged 21 years and older…

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Volunteer Firefighting and “Junior Firefighters” – What Your Department Should Know

Perhaps no other area of the fire service law has more misconceptions and greater pitfalls than the sponsoring of youth programs within a volunteer fire department. This article is the first of a two-part series intended to identify and explain the differences in the types of youth programs recognized in…

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FASNY 150th: A Past President Looks Back

By Gunnar L. Neilson, FASNY Past President (1996-1998) Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of reflections that will be featured in The Volunteer Firefighter magazine leading up to FASNY’s 150th anniversary in August 2022. Looking back on my term as President of the greatest fire organization ever…

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They Can Hear You

By Michael Capoziello Thanks to today’s modern technology, we live in an age where it has never been easier for people to listen to our radio transmissions. Besides traditional scanners, fellow firefighters, civilian listeners and members of the media now have the capabilities of monitoring our transmissions via computer sites…

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FASNY Breaks New Ground on New HQ

June 25, 2021, was a big day in FASNY history as we broke ground on renovation of our headquarters in Albany, New York. Plenty of smiles and members of the press were on hand as leadership did the honors. We proudly broke ground on our big renovation of headquarters with…

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Unique Leadership Strategies for First Responder Departments

By Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR Property Restoration The first responder profession is continuously ranked as one of the most stressful jobs in America for a number of reasons. First responders routinely respond to dangerous and gruesome emergencies, and their heroic efforts save lives every day. The weight of this…

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The Difference Between Training and Education of Firefighters

By David C. Denniston, ESIP Have you ever done something the same way for so long that you have no idea why you do it that way? For some tasks, that is called a conditioned response, and can be a good thing. Take for example when your pager alerts. Many…

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MCR Motorsports Partners with FASNY

By Shane M. Liebler, Senior Editor A racing team is partnering with FASNY to promote the volunteer fire service at the track. In addition to including the FASNY brand on its dirt modified cars, MCR Motorsports features a driver who is also a volunteer firefighter. “We know the importance of…

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