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.
When the Owego Hose Team set out to restore the iconic Baker Fireman’s Fountain, no one realized the journey they were undertaking. Nor could they imagine the final result that was on full display in downtown Owego this past August at the fountain’s rededication. Standing protectively over the village in…
Read moreBy Lieutenant Josh Haygood, EMT, Ambulance Company Recruitment Officer A couple of years back, I was asked by my previous EMS company to come up with some new ideas for recruitment. As I’m sure every agency out there can attest, getting new potential members interested in joining isn’t easy. The…
Read moreBy Matthew Troy, Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department Captain Cruise over the North Channel Bridge in southern Queens and you’ll find yourself suddenly wondering if you’re still in New York City. To the west across Jamaica Bay is the familiar sight of skyscrapers reaching above the horizon, but it lies…
Read moreBy Captain Michael Koch, Fishers Fire Department The Fishers Fire Department has proudly finished the fourth successful year of its college bunker program and is currently accepting applications for the fall 2019 program. The department's bunker program hosts college students from New York State who are attending local Rochester area…
Read moreBy Dr. Candice McDonald, Founder of Success Up As the number of volunteer firefighters decreases, it is important for fire service leaders to take a proactive approach in developing strategies to recruit and retain members. Many people are quick to assume offering a financial stipend or moving to a combination…
Read moreBy Keith Tyson, Firefighter Cancer Support Network Cancer in the fire service is our current reality, but we are beginning to better understand firefighters’ increased risks and cancer’s devastating toll. Cancer can be caused by things we eat, drink, breathe and absorb, including numerous carcinogens found in our fireground and…
Read moreBy Tiger Schmittendorf, First Arriving One of the biggest challenges faced by today’s emergency services managers is people. Not enough people to respond, not enough people to serve on committees, not enough people to take on added responsibilities, and not enough people to do all the jobs that need to…
Read moreBy Connie Kent Carhart, CPA “What’s a 501c3?” “Why do we need one?” “Why, if we never needed this before?” Do these questions sound familiar? Are members who have been in your organization for some time asking these questions? They have a point. There was a time when your organization…
Read moreWhile smoke detectors are not actually fire prevention, they are a very important part of life safety. Any company, no matter how big or small, can start a smoke detector program. In 2012, our fire company reached out to local businesses and raised enough money to give a smoke detector…
Read moreWith the number of volunteer firefighters on the decline for decades, departments are turning to a key source for recruits. Youth programs – Juniors, Explorers and RAMs – are making a difference in both the lives of youth and department ranks across the state. “If you get one kid from…
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