8th Annual Youth Day at 144th Annual FASNY Convention

HUDSON — The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York held its 8th Annual Youth Day on Aug. 12 at the Hudson Fire Department in Hudson. Dozens of junior firefighters from across New York State took part in the day’s events to gain valuable hands-on firefighter training.

The junior firefighters practiced search and rescue, hose relay competitions, vehicle extrications, second-floor bailouts, forcible entry simulations and more. Youth Day showcased the dedication of New York’s future firefighters, and highlighted the need for more young people to join their local volunteer fire departments.

Dozens of Junior Firefighters and Explorers, boys, girls, teens aged 12 to 19, seasoned Fire Department Instructors, Volunteer First Responders, FASNY Leaders participated in the event, making it one of the most successful and memorable to date.

FASNY’s Youth in the Fire Service Committee Chairman, Christopher D. DePew said, “The goal of Youth Day is two-fold: Not only are we prepping these young Junior Firefighters and Explorers for a career in emergency training, we’re also providing them with a rare inside look into our line of work. We’re incredibly proud with this year’s turnout and hope that our participants continue to explore their passion for firefighting, as they’re the future of our New York State fire departments. “

Participating Youth Groups included: Baldwinsville Explorer Post 99; Baldwinsville Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.; Chili Explorer Post 546; Chili Fire Department, Inc.; Cincinnatus Fire Department; Coxsackie Explorer Post 57; Coxsackie Hose Company No. 3; Greenport Rescue Squad, Inc.; Hudson Fire Department; Mattydale Fire Department; Mattydale Junior Fire Department; Medway-Grapeville Fire Department; Preble Fire Department; Wassaic Fire Company, Inc.; Wassaic Junior Fire Company, Inc.; West Babylon Explorer Post; West Babylon Fire Department.

Youth Day is one of many activities that took place the week of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York’s 144th annual firefighter convention. Dozens of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel attended from across New York State, as well as Fire officers, commissioners and others representing various fire departments and fire districts to train, to memorialize, to bestow FASNY Heroes Awards, and to discuss issues of critical importance to the state’s approximately 110,000 volunteer emergency services personnel. Events throughout the weekend included a Memorial Service remembering the deceased members of the New York State Firefighter community, heavy vehicle lifting and stabilization training, a golf tournament, and an Annual Firefighter and EMS Provider of the Year Award.