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 a State convention of a benevolent organization. After the Convention ended, a number of firemen were passing in review before a group of local citizens. Somewhere along this route, the idea to hold a Convention of firemen, and to form a permanent national organization of firemen, was born.

Word spread quickly and on September 2, 1872, members of the six fire companies of the Auburn Fire Department met to discuss this idea. The attendees at this meeting voted to establish a Steering Committee and directed them to present a report to the entire fire department four days later. This report, in the form of a resolution, stated that the object of the national organization be “co-operative in its nature and with the view to improvement in the general government of fire departments, the discussion and adoption of modern and improved fire apparatus, also a general interchange of ideas and to discuss important questions pertaining to the various duties of firemen.”

Upon adoption by the Auburn Fire Department, the resolution also called for the appointment of an Executive Committee of three individuals and the establishment of several secondary committees. It further stated that a Convention of firemen be held and that each company in every fire department be entitled to one representative at the meeting. The Executive Committee wasted no time and quickly decided that the first annual Convention of the Firemen’s National Association be held in Auburn on October 1 and 2, 1872.

As the gathering drew closer, enthusiasm grew with 11 states sending letters indicating that they would send delegates. Unfortunately, on the opening of the Convention, only three states were represented: New York, New Jersey and Iowa. Interestingly, of the 57 delegates in attendance, 55 came from New York. Not to be deterred from their intended goal, the delegates voted on the first day of the convention to establish the “Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY)”.

Upon reflection, history has shown that many important events occurred not because of calculated planning but because the right people were at the right place at the right time. Such can be argued regarding the formation of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York. Yet, this unlikely beginning is only the first chapter of an ongoing story. In the almost century and a half since that October day, FASNY has grown to be an organization of over 45,000 members and has become a leading national advocate for training, safety and health issues affecting firefighters.

With the conclusion of its Annual Meeting in August 2021, FASNY kicked off a year-long celebration of its founding. This celebration includes the re-dedication of a historical marker in the City of Auburn and a sizeable parade as part of our Annual Meeting in 2022. However, while festivities are important, the next year will be a time to re-dedicate ourselves to our mission of educating, training and informing the volunteer fire and EMS services. FASNY has accomplished a great deal up to now, but our work is not done.

The best is yet to come.