State Firemen’s Convention Opens Today in Alexandria Bay

ALEXANDRIA BAY — Firefighters and emergency medical personnel from around the state are here today to open the 139th annual Firemen’s Association of the State of New York convention, which continues through Friday.

Up to 2,000 members and their families are expected to attend. While the FASNY convention is headquartered at the Edgewood Resort, the Ladies Auxiliary of FASNY is holding its meetings and activities simultaneously at Riveredge Resort.

The village last hosted the FASNY convention in 2003.

Jennifer Gundersen, FASNY spokeswoman, said the association worked closely with the Jefferson County Volunteer Firemen’s Association to make the gathering an event that all members’ families can enjoy. But that effort does not overshadow the purpose of the convention.

“It’s an opportunity for the firefighters to exchange ideas, practice safety techniques and listen and learn from the experiences of veteran volunteer firefighters,” FASNY President David Jacobowitz said. “As a result, they learn additional tools that can help them protect their local residents when they go back to their communities.”

Convention activities begin with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a membership meeting and honors for the Mahopac Fire Department as well as the Southside Fire Co. and First Responder Unit.

Thursday is youth day, with activities to be held at the Jefferson County Fire and EMS Training Center in the town of Watertown. Meanwhile, at the convention, there will be four speakers.

Billy Goldfeder, deputy chief of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, Ohio, and vice chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ safety, health and survival section, will speak at 8 a.m. about “Life and Death on the Fire Ground.”

At 10 a.m., Tim L. Holman, chief of the German Township Fire & EMS in Clark County, Ohio, and a speaker for EMS World, is scheduled to give an address titled “Fired Up: Engaging Your Volunteers.”

The afternoon session opens with David Dodson, retired battalion chief from Denver, Colo., lecturing about “The Art of Reading Smoke.”

Michael P. Dallessandro, a 25-year veteran of the Grand Island Fire Co. in Erie County, who operates a consulting, training and speaker service for fire and EMS personnel, wraps up the day’s session with a 3 p.m. presentation, “Preserving Our Past and Protecting Our Future.”

Election and installation of officers will be conducted Friday morning, followed by a memorial service for deceased members.

The arriving families have been provided information about the various tourist activities available along the Thousand Islands.