Fire News New York State edition August 2018

VOLUME 11, NO. 10

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Serving Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes In NY State AUGUST 2018

- Story on page 6 - Fire News photo

by Peter Barber

Looking Back at the NYSAFC Conference – Fire 2018 See page 20.

– New York State Edition –

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Fire News, August 2018, Page 3

In this issue...

Montgomery House Fire Goes to 6 Alarms

Washingtonville Fire Department Rescue 581 responded as the FAST to a second alarm on Union Street in Montgomery.

A Service for New York State Firefighters and EMS Heroes 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713

See story on page 7

Coxsackie Home Destroyed

A raging fire destroyed a Coxsackie home leaving a family and their pets without shelter.

See story on page 10

Schenectady House Fire

Schenectady firefighters made quick work of a fire in a vacant house on Pleasant Street.

See story on page 13

Sawmill Destroyed in Glen

On June 6, 2018, multiple agencies responded to Lathers Road in the town of Glen.

See story on page 14

FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Asst. Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales LYNN SEDLER, Art Director CLIFF CHIESA, Production Manager Advertising Sales: BARBARA CONNOLLY Graphic Artist: GREGORY JONES CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Aguilar, Chris Aldous, Jeff Ambroz, Peter Barber, Kevin Barry, John Bashaw, Bill Bennett, Tom Bierds, Jeff Couch, Chris Creighton, David Denniston, Rick Douglas, Brian Duddy, Stan Dybus, John Falcone, Ken Flynn, Joe Fortunato, Eli Gill, Mark Gillen, Carol Greene, Tom Heffernan Sr., Greg Herman, Matt Hodge, Steve Hodgekiss, Robert Holley, Daniel Imfield, Andy Jarchin, Bill Johnson, Mark Johnson, Chris Kalisak, Charlie Keller, Jon Kemp, Gordon Kotars, David R. LaRocco, Stephen Lenz, Joshua Long, Mike Messar, Ralph Miele, Albert Mignone, John Miller, Martin E. Miller, Lloyd Mitchell, Brian Natoli, Carleton Raab, Robert Reynolds, Lauren Rivera, Stephen Schaefer, Deborah Schweikert, Tom Shand, John Shaw, Sharon Siegel, Robert Simpson, Joe Sperber, Bryan Sypniewski, Karen Todd, Kyle Townsend, Joe Turner, Michael VanDerLieth, Lori Washburn, D.B. Weimer, Stephen White.

Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka COPYRIGHT 2018, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Stamford Tanker Drill

Firefighters from Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, gathered in Stamford, Connecticut, for a large-scale tanker drill.

See story on page 18

Obituary FDNY’s Robert J. Lembo The NYS Association of Fire Chaplains sadly announced the death of retired FDNY Firefighter Robert J. Lembo of Ladder 144.

For advertising rates and information, call (631) 776-0500 Press 3 Editorial: (631) 776-0500 Ext 281 Fax number: (631) 286-6866 Internet: http://www.firenews.com Email:nys@firenews.com

Six Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania Proud Member Of:

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PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 16 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 25

Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News Inc, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

Page 4, Fire News, August 2018

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Are You Organized?

The alarm sounds and the dispatcher informs you that you have a reported structure fire with police at the scene stating that flames are visible. Your heart starts to race as you drop what you are doing to fill out the crew. You run to your gear rack and don your PPE as the truck is starting up. Your officer shouts at the slowpokes who seem to be dilly-dallying getting suited up. You barely make the truck, but regardless, you made it and are heading to what is now a confirmed working fire. The experienced responder stays calm and monitors his radio, keeping the volume down very low to prevent feedback, as the officer is listening intently to his orders as your truck nears the scene of the fire. Yes, you are going to work! As the truck stops and you carefully exit the crew cab, you get a sick feeling. Crap! I forgot my helmet. What! How do you forget your helmet?

Do you know anyone this has happened to?

Scenarios like the one I just cited, happen.

They happen because you may not be as organized as you think. I always encourage probationary firefighters to practice donning their gear. I also encourage them to give

thought about laying out their gear on their firehouse rack in a systematic way, so that each time they put their gear on, it is done exactly the same way. I am sure every one of you has a procedure that works for you. No matter what your job is, all of your turnout gear is necessary. You can't forget your hood, gloves, helmet or other specialized equipment necessary to do your job.

I have seen members don their SCBA while responding to a call and find out when they got off of the truck that their air bottle was empty. How did this happen? You checked it at truck maintenance and it was full. You turned your bottle on while responding to the call to check that you had a full bottle of air. What happened? Maybe you left your bottle on while responding to the call and in your haste; you accidently turned your purge valve, draining your bottle on the ride to the fire. Yes, it is embarrassing when you show up at a call and realize you forgot your helmet, lost a glove or had no air in your tank when you arrived.

Now understand, what I cited doesn't normally happen. But I will bet every responder

knows of stories where members were not organized and had problems with equipment from one call to the next. Let's face it, mistakes happen, especially when you are not a seasoned responder.

What can you do to prevent careless mistakes? The answer is simple. Stay calm and be organized! Know what you have in each pocket of your gear and practice a strict routine for donning your gear. Gear-up the same way every time you respond to a call. Check your equipment after every call and before every shift. A strict routine that is practiced over and over is a must!

-Dennis

FireNews.com

Fire News, August 2018, Page 5

Calling for Passage of the ‘Don’t Break Up the T-Band’ Act

On June 25, 2018, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) was joined by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Police Chief Stu Cameron, Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Commissioner Joe Williams, other local elected officials and first responders to urgently call on Congress to pass the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act (H.R. 5085) and preserve the T-Band spectrum to allow law-enforcement, fire officials and EMS to continue using it to operate their radios for day-to-day life saving operations.

Currently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required under a 2012 federal law to reallocate and auction the TBand spectrum by 2021, which would result in major fiscal and public safety setbacks in major metropolitan areas across the United States. The T-Band is a portion of spectrum used in 11 heavily populated metropolitan areas, including New York, covering over 90 million Americans, to support critical public safety communications (i.e. police and fire radios) and provide regional interoperability among first responders. Public safety agencies have spent numerous years and billions of dollars of federal, state and local funds to plan and build out these T-Band networks. The result is battle-tested public safety networks that provide resilient coverage, reliability and regional interoperability. This spectrum is essential to public safety and for many public safety entities there is

nowhere else to move. Rep. Zeldin was recently joined by several House colleagues in introducing the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act to preserve the T-Band spectrum before it is reallocated for good.

Congressman Zeldin (R, NY-1) said, “Our first responders bravely and selflessly put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our communities, and our first priority must be ensuring they have the resources they need to safely and effec-

tively do their jobs. From hurricanes to fires, in the most dire situations, the T-band spectrum provides critical communication between first responders.

Even when cell phones, internet, and electricity cease to function, T-band is the last line of defense, and selling off this spectrum would be at great financial cost as well as a great disservice to

our nation’s first responders and the millions of Americans they serve.”

Suffolk County Executive Bellone said, “The T-band frequency is a critical link for half of Suffolk County’s 109 fire departments and 27 EMS agencies who utilize the radio to communicate in emergency situations every day. Congress must act to maintain public safety communications here on Long Island and across our region. I thank Congressman Zeldin for sponsoring this important legislation to preserve our first responders ability to communicate effectively and keep Long Islanders safe.”

Brookhaven Deputy Town Supervisor and Councilman Dan Panico said, “Congressman Zeldin’s advocacy on this issue is extremely well reasoned. His comments at the press conference were superb and illustrative to all in attendance of the need to act now, as opposed to in 2021. I commend him on this effort.”

South Country Ambulance Chief Greg Miglino said, “One of the most important tools first responders have when time matters is effective communication. The T-Band law as it stands potentially could jeopardize a system that already is working for our citizens while burdening them with billions in new costs. We support Congressman Zeldin’s efforts to get this law repealed to avoid this from happening.”

-Fire News photo by Dennis Whittam

Page 6, Fire News, August 2018

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Cover Story

Schenectady Brush Fire

Schenectady firefighters responded to a large, growing brush fire deep in the woods of Central Park on May 18, 2018. Deputy Chief Kurt Gerfin used every resource available to make sure they would not have to return in the middle of the night.

- Fire News photos by Peter Barber

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Fire News, August 2018, Page 7

Montgomery House Fire Goes to 6 Alarms

On June 30, 2018, Washingtonville Fire Department Rescue 581 and searches commenced. A second FAST was requested. The fire responded as the FAST to a second alarm on Union Street in eventually went to a sixth alarm due to temperatures in the 90s, Montgomery. Fire was in two, two-story, wood frame, attached requiring quicker relief for operating personnel.

- Fire News photos by Lieutenant/past-Chief VanRiper dwellings. Portable ladders went up on the 3 side of the building,

Page 8, Fire News, August 2018

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Waterloo House Fire

Pub Fire in FiDi

The Waterloo Fire Department was toned out for a structure fire on West Elisha Street in the village. Also responding were crews from Seneca Falls, Fayette, Border City and Geneva. Firefighters arrived to a small fire in the house. The fire was quickly extinguished.

-Fire News photo by John Greco

Fire broke out early on July 1, 2018, at the popular Financial District pub and eatery The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog on Water Street in Manhattan. FDNY firefighters responded after receiving a report of a fire in the bar’s kitchen ventilation system.

No one was injured in the blaze which was made more difficult due to the sweltering temperatures.

-Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos

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Fire News, August 2018, Page 9

Fire Spreads in Queens Village

The FDNY battled an all hands blaze in a two-story private dwelling on 110th Avenue in the Queens Village section of Queens on March 28, 2018. The blaze appeared to have started on the first floor but quickly spread to the floor above with fire showing on the exterior.

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Paramedics Graduate in Brooklyn On June 28, 2018, 33 new FDNY EMS Paramedics graduated at a ceremony held at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. Good luck to everyone who will serve the City of New York as FDNY EMSParamedics.

- Fire News photo

by Lloyd Mitchell

Page 10, Fire News, August 2018

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Coxsackie Home Destroyed

Colonie Commercial Fire

A raging fire destroyed a Coxsackie home on June 9, 2018, leaving a family of four and their pets without shelter. The blaze ripped through the right side of a home on Riverside Avenue, said Coxsackie Fire Chief Shawn Burdick. Firefighters arrived to flames bursting through a front window. About 50 firefighters controlled the blaze within an hour, Burdick said, with crews from New Baltimore, Athens, West Athens, Earlton and Medway-Grapeville on mutual aid. The blaze destroyed the home. One firefighter was sent to the hospital with heat exhaustion and released that day. Red Cross responded to assist the family. - Fire News photo by John C. Miller

West Albany, Shaker Road-Loudonville, Fuller Road and Colonie Village responded to a structure fire on Sandcreek Road in Colonie on June 11, 2018. Residents of the business could be seen running out of the building as the first engine arrived. Smoke had filled the multi-story building when the fire departments arrived. Exterior, interior walls and doors were removed to gain access to the fire which was started by electrical wiring problems. No one was hurt and the building was saved.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

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Up Close

Amsterdam Firefighter/Paramedic and Engine 2 driver James Siudy.

- Fire News photo by Mark Perfetti

Fire News, August 2018, Page 11

Yates Elected President of IAFC Eastern Div. From April 20 to 22, 2018, the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (EDIAFC) held its annual meeting and conference at the Baltimore/Washington Airport. The EDIAFC represents; Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

During the business meeting on Friday, New Jersey Chief James Yates EFO, CFO, Director of Fire and Emergency Services in West Windsor and a past-Chief and life member of Lawrence Road Fire Company was elected President.

In his remarks at the installation dinner on Saturday, President Yates thanked outgoing-President Paul Sterling of Maryland for his service and noted that his term would include stressing the importance of the IAFC initiatives on firefighter cancer awareness and firefighter mental wellness awareness.

Information on both can be found on the EDIAFC web site; ediafc.com/.

Also announced, were plans for the 2019 EDIAFC conference to be held May 10 to 12, 2019, in Hightstown/East Windsor, New Jersey, themed “Leadership is Based on Knowledge.�

Page 12, Fire News, August 2018

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Hot Potatoes & Chips

5 FFs Injured at Sunset Park 2-Alarmer

On June 9, 2018, Broome County Communications dispatched the Five Mile Point Fire Department (59) to the Frito Lay plant on Spud Lane, for a possible compactor fire at the rear of the building. Chief 59B arrived to find a full-size open-top tractor trailer backed up to a compactor attached to the rear of the building with smoke and fire showing. Contents of the compactor and trailer were rejected batches of potato and corn chips. Also assisting were Kirkwood, Broome County Sheriff’s Department, and Frito Lay staff.

- Fire News photo by Nick Griswold

On June 16, 2018, a two-alarm fire left one civilian with injuries and also injured five firefighters after a fire broke out on the second floor of a Brownstone on 6th Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

- Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

FireNews.com

Fire News, August 2018, Page 13

Schenectady House Fire

Scarsdale Cleanup after Basement Fire

Schenectady firefighters made quick work of a fire in a vacant house on Pleasant Street on June 3, 2018, after flames were discovered shortly after 0500. Neighbors reported that the owner had been doing construction inside the home, and the origin was to the rear of the structure.

- Fire News photo by Peter Barber

On June 8, 2018, at 0007, the Scarsdale Fire Department was dispatched to a Tunstall Road residence for a report of smoke in the house. Units arrived to a well-involved fire in a basement utility room. Suppression efforts were hampered by a substantial amount of belongings throughout the basement as well as a tin ceiling in the utility room. It appeared the fire originated in the void space between the basement ceiling and first floor. The main body of fire was knocked down within the first 30 minutes, but extensive overhaul was required. Scarsdale was aided at the scene by Hartsdale and Greenville. Due to debris, the members had to decon themselves at the scene.

- Fire News photo by James E. Seymour IV, Chief VSFD

Page 14, Fire News, August 2018

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Sawmill Destroyed in Glen

All Hands in East New York

On June 6, 2018, multiple agencies responded to Lathers Road in the town of Glen. Upon arrival, responders found an Amish sawmill fully involved with multiple exposures also partially involved. The fire was brought under control with no report of injuries. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

- Fire News photo by Mark Perfetti

FDNY companies in the East New York section of Brooklyn battled an all-hands assignment in a two-story, attached, private dwelling on Montauk Avenue on the morning of June 24, 2018. Heavy smoke and flame were evident on arrival but aggressive engine work controlled the blaze within 30 minutes.

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

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Colonie Village Garage Fire

On June 17, 2018, Colonie Village, Fuller Road and West Albany Fire Departments spent part of their Father’s Day responding to a fully-involved garage fire. Smoke from the fire could be seen in neighboring towns. The quick response of all the departments prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent homes.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

Fire News, August 2018, Page 15

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Winona Lake Handles MVA On June 5, 2018, the Winona Lake Fire Department was called out to an MVA on Route 17k and Fletcher Drive. Responders secured the scene and evaluated the patients.

No one appeared to be injured from the mishap.

- Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick

Fuller Road Responds to Car Fire West Albany and Fuller Road Fire Departments responded to a car fire off of Central Avenue in Colonie on June 2, 2018. The vehicle was within five feet of a residence but, due to the quick response of the departments, the residence went unscathed. The car which had just come back from getting an oil change, contained the complete property of a woman who used the car as her home. No one was injured but West Albany Hazmat was called to help curtail by-products of the fire from going into the storm drains.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

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Fire News, August 2018, Page 17

NY EMS Cadets Test Skills at NJ Comp

The Forest Hills (NY) Volunteer Ambulance Corps Devil Dogs Echo Team took second in the basic class.

Finishing third in the basic-class competition were Bravo Volunteer Ambulance (Brooklyn) Team D members (left to right): Kaitlyn Ha, 17, Justyna Rogozinska and James Brischetta, both 16.

Approximately 150 youth from 18 New Jersey and New York volunteer emergency medical organizations competed in the June 9, 2018, Bayshore EMS Cadet/Youth Competition. The event was sponsored by the Keyport First Aid Squad and the EMS Council of New Jersey (EMSCNJ). The Forest Hills (NY) Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Devil Dogs Echo Team placed second in the Basic Level Competition and the Bravo Volunteer Ambulance Team D of Bay Ridge (NY) placed third. Also competing was the Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps of New York.

- Fire News photos by Sylvia Mulvaney

Page 18, Fire News, August 2018

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Stamford Tanker Shuttle Drill

In June, firefighters from Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, gathered in Stamford, Connecticut, for a large-scale tanker drill. The drill, which took place at the Stamford Reservoir, had companies drafting water from a section of the reservoir to load up the tankers and then shuttling it down the road to a dump site of three portable tanker pools. The water was pumped through an engine to another engine which fed a blitz gun and a

tower ladder. Crews ran through two sequences of the drill, the first one using a level one tanker response and the second one using a level two tanker response which includes more tankers responding to an incident. Departments from Stamford, New Canaan, Long Ridge, Turn of River, Springdale, Glenbrook, West Redding, Cos Cob, Stevenson, Banksville, Vista and Croton-on-Hudson participated.

- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

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Fire News, August 2018, Page 19

Firehouse Kitchen

Coming for You, Fire Marshals!

By Ray Cooney Oh yes! The time has come for the 5th Annual Big Chili/Chowder Cook-off held at the Bayport Fire Department, in Long Island, New York. This year, the event will be held on September 8, 2018. Admission begins at noon. This event will be a country themed event with musical entertainment provided by Southbound as well as line dancing instructions for all those interested.

The reason I am writing about this event is because I help the Bayport Fire Department prepare their chili. The first year of the event, we took first place! Since then, our crown has been stolen, year after year, by the Islip Town Fire Marshalls.

This has become a rivalry between us and them since it first occurred. I don't want to mention any names, so we will just call the head marshal Fire Marshal Bill, from West Sayville Fire Department. Don't worry-he will know I am talking about him.

For the past four years, we have been creating you-tube videos talking "smack" to each other about whose chili will be the best. Last year, Bayport's chili won the people's choice award, but could not take home the judges award. We made a bacon-zesty chili. Since this was not a winning recipe, we are going to change it up this year. We are going to make a three-bean steak

chili and are only going to use rib-eye steak.

Let's see if the marshals can top that! One good thing about this chili, is we are avoiding making it too spicy. It will have just enough kick to keep you warm in the winter and doesn't make you go running for bread and water. The rivalry between the two of us is all in good fun and for a great cause.

The event raises money for the Islip Town Fire Museum, located directly outside Duck's Stadium in Central Islip.

If you have some free time on September 8, 2018, be sure to stop on down to the Bayport Fire Department where you can enjoy chili, chowder, craft beer, live entertainment and the one and only Firefighter Ray as the MC of the event. Activities and pizza for children will be provided free of charge! Special thanks to Fire News, Georgi Vodka, Spyder Bite Brewery, Blue Point Brewery, Stop and Shop, DiCarlo Foods, Werner Breads, Tony, Satellite and Furci's Pizzeria of Bayport, Sayville Pizza, the Bayport Fire Department and of course Firehouse Kitchen for all their support.

To find out more about Firehouse Kitchen, visit firehousekitchenshow.com. If you would like your firehouse to compete in this year's Chili/Chowder fest, or to appear on Firehouse Kitchen, send me an e-mail to firehousekitchentv@gmail.com.

Three-Bean Chili Red, white, and black chili beans (approximately two cans each) 2 pounds of chopped rib-eye steak, 1 can tomato paste, 3 cans of crushed tomatoes, Âź cup chili powder, 1 cup chopped onion, 3 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 red jalepeno pepper (chopped) salt, pepper, garlic powder Brown rib-eye steak in frying pan. Then combine all ingredients in large sauce pot. Bring to boil for one minute, then lower temperature to simmer and cook for three hours or longer. The longer the better.

Page 20, Fire News, August 2018

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NYSAFC Conference - Fire 2018 Thanks to everyone who attended the 112th NYSAFC Annual Conference. See you next year!

-Fire News photos by John Greco

JUST ANNOUNCED …

150 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AT FIREHOUSE EXPO Firehouse Expo just announced its educational lineup for this year’s event. This is the third year Firehouse Expo will be held in Nashville, TN, and it will bigger and better than ever.

2018 highlights include: • More than 150 educational sessions that will challenge you to think differently and learn new techniques with more one-on-one time with influential leaders • More individualized training • Great opportunity for personal contact with peers and solution providers • All new Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Technology track to introduce these new products to you and keep you updated on the newest technology to help you fight fires • Company & Chief Officer Development Training where you can share best practices with fellow leaders, empower your staff

through education and secure your department’s future through a focus on operations on safety protocols.

• Skill-focused scenario-based hands-on training (HOT) programs with a better student-to-instructor ratio than any other national or state event • -Live-Fire Engine and Truck Operations programs so you can learn the skills in detail before you need to put them to the test • Firefighter Health & Wellness track to help you improve your fireground performance Registration is now open. For details, visit FirehouseExpo.com.

Early-bird savings of up to $120 off the full conference are good through Aug. 15.

For Fire News readers, enter promo code FIRENEW for an additional $50 savings off of the full conference (published rates) and enjoy FREE exhibit hall admission.

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Fire News, August 2018, Page 21

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Obituary

FDNY’s

Robert J. Lembo

The NYS Association of Fire Chaplains sadly announced the death of retired FDNY Firefighter Robert J. Lembo of Ladder 144.

Firefighter Lembo was appointed December 17, 1977, and passed away on May 29, 2018. This member bravely served the department protecting life and property in the City of New York in the rescue and recovery at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center.

The heartfelt sympathy of the entire department is extended to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased in the midst of the great loss that they and the department have sustained.

The Viewing took place last week at the Bryant Funeral Home and the Funeral Mass was observed at St. James Roman Catholic Church, both in Setauket.

FireNews.com

Fire News, August 2018, Page 23

McKownville Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The McKownville Fire Department celebrated 100 years of service to their community on June 9, 2018, with a community parade and party. Hundreds of people lined the streets to watch as McKownville and its neighboring mutual aid departments proudly

walked the two-mile route in Albany. The parade concluded at the SUNY campus in Albany where a party was held for the department and the community. (Inset): Grand Marshall and life member Domenico Adami.

- Fire News photos by Lori Washburn

Page 24, Fire News, August 2018

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Firefighter 1 Graduates Congratulations, and welcome to the fire service, to the newest graduating classes of Firefighter 1 courses with Albany County. Firefighters from throughout the neighboring counties worked diligently for over months to complete the intensive course that prepares them to go back to their departments as knowledgeable and productive members of their departments. We wish them a long and safe career in the fire service.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn

FASNY Announces Sherman Teacher Joel Fisher as 2018 Teacher Of The Year During a recent ceremony at Sherman Central School, sixth grade math and science teacher Joel Fisher was honored with FASNY’s annual Teacher of the Year award. The award recognizes a teacher who has gone above and beyond in their dedication to the safety and advancement of the students and their families.

Fisher was surprised with the award during the school’s morning assembly, with FASNY representatives in attendance amongst the students, faculty, staff and members of his own fire department (Stanley Hose Company 1).

“Mr. Fisher is an exemplary teacher and role model in our school. He is always willing to drop everything and help in any and all circumstances. I’m proud to know someone who is so dedicated to the community and keeping kids safe,” said Bryna Booth, Sherman Central School Principal.

(Left to right): Sherman Central School Principal Bryna Booth, FASNY 1st VP Steve Klein, FASNY Teacher of the Year Joel Fisher, Terry Hannigan, Hannigan Law Firm and Award Sponsor, FASNY Teacher of the Year Committee Chair Marsha Holland.

- Fire News photo courtesy of the Sherman Central School

FireNews.com

Fire News, August 2018, Page 25

East Greenbush Members Honored East Greenbush Captain Becker and Firefighter Lavin’s actions saved the life of a young girl.

Unfortunately, three other victims succumbed to their injuries. Captain Beck and Firefighter Lavin’s valor defines service over self and exemplifies the essential character of the fire service. In addition to the East Greenbush Fire Department, members from the Clinton Heights Fire Department and Defreestville Fire Department assisted the Rensselaer Fire Department on the scene.

-Fire News photo by Martin Miller

Recruits Graduate On May 11, 2018, the New York State Fire Academy Recruit Class 75 held its graduation. This was the largest class ever, with 56 firefighter recruits. Good luck to the new firefighters.

- Fire News photo by John Greco

Page 26, Fire News, August 2018

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Hudson Valley Parade On June 23, 2018, the Winona Lake Fire Department went to West Glens Falls for their 129th parade (see below) and came home with the Best Pumper trophy. A good time was had by all even though it rained on the parade.

- Fire News photo

by Vinnie Dominick

HVVFA Holds 129th Convention The Hudson Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association held its 129th Annual Convention and Parades during the week of June 20, 2018. Firefighters from across New York State gathered at West Glens Falls Fire Department for instructional courses and information. At the conclusion of the convention, hundreds of firefighters participated in the Mardi Gras Parade on Friday and the full-dress parade on Saturday. This year’s Mardi Gras theme was “Past, Present and Future.” On a rainy day, over 100 fire departments proudly showed their dedication and participated in the full-dress parade.

- Fire News photo by Lori Washburn