Oksana Franklin – Treasurer Mary K. Hanlon – Communications Coordinator
Paul C. Melfi – Hands-On Training Coordinator
Susan R. Revoir – Conferences/Education Coordinator
Jeremy S. Rodd – New York Fire Book Store Manager
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Chief Anthony V. LaFerrera – President
Chief Richard L. Lyman – 1st Vice President
Chief William K. Owen III – 2nd Vice President
Chief R. Scott Ewing – Past President
Chief James E. Hare – President Emeritus
ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS
Chief Kenneth M. Almy
Chief Timothy E. Boel
Chief
Deputy Fire Coordinator
Chief
Chief
Our Commitment to Serving Those Who Serve
Chief Anthony V. LaFerrera, NYSAFC President
As I near the end of my term as president of NYSAFC, I look back with gratitude on the programs and services we’ve been able to provide to our members over the past year, and I’m excited looking forward to all that’s still to come in 2025.
To begin with, I hope you enjoy this issue of Size Up, which is the first with our new publishing partner, Fire News. For over 70 years, our magazine has been an important tool for our association, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with the Fire News team to continue delivering it to you.
During the first weekend of February, we brought the Long Island Metro Fire/EMS Expo to Nassau Coliseum, in partnership with the members of the Islip Town Fire/EMS Museum Educational Center. We thank the over 150 vendors that presented new firefighting and EMS equipment and innovations. Electric vehicle Hands-On Training was provided thanks to instructors from the Suffolk County Fire Academy.
Thank you to the instructors who provided our classroom lectures and codes training. Events like this require months of careful planning and preparation. Thank you to the members of the museum and our NYSAFC directors, and of course, our NYSAFC staff for your work. Thank you to our attendees for once again making our event a success! If you weren’t able to join us, we’ve included highlights in this issue.
As our commitment to training continues all year long, please go to our website (www.nysfirechiefs.com/programs) to see where our next Seminar Series “Short-Handed Firefighting” class or Regional Hands-On Training program will be held.
We are happy to announce that once again we will be hosting NYSAFC Hands-On Training at The Rock this May at the FDNY Training Academy. This is our second event at the academy, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide our members with this unique training experience at this state-of-theart facility.
Please mark your calendars and make time to attend our biggest event of all, our 119th Annual Conference & FIRE 2025 Expo, June 4-7, 2025, at The Oncenter in Syracuse. You can learn more about our vendor displays, keynote speaker, educational classes, and Hands-On Training, which takes place at the City of Syracuse Fire Training Center, on our website and in this issue of Size Up. Pre-registration is available on our website, and remember that you can get free tickets for the expo from our exhibitors. We hope to see everyone there!
Lastly, along with our New York state fire service partners, we have continued to work with our federal and New York state “friends in government” on issues such as OSHA’s proposed emergency response plan, EMS cost recovery, EMS as an essential service, and tax exemptions, along with improving tax benefits. You can review the Issues of United Concern legislative agenda in this issue and online. We will keep our membership informed with all the latest information on legislation impacting the fire and emergency medical services.
In closing, it was an honor to serve as president of our association. I thank you all for your dedication to your communities and your continued support of NYSAFC. I am especially grateful to all who have helped ensure the success of our programs and who continue to strengthen our commitment to “Providing Service To Those Who Serve.” ◆
Communication and Advocacy Lead to Success
Chief Bruce E. Heberer, NYSAFC Chief Executive Officer
As we approach our most important event, our Annual Conference & FIRE 2025 Expo, we urge you all to attend. NYSAFC provides the second largest fire/EMS educational and trade show event in the country, right here in upstate New York!
We strive to bring you the best instructors for our educational seminars and hands-on training evolutions, we have industry-leading vendors displaying apparatus and equipment under one roof for you to interact with, plus networking activities that are unmatched at such an affordable price. This is what our association is designed to provide. Please make an effort to visit, and bring your colleagues, friends, and family.
Our biggest news begins with this issue of Size Up. We have entered a partnership with Fire News to publish our periodical. Throughout the transition process they have become a tremendous asset. Their knowledge and experience are second to none, and combining this with Communications Coordinator Mary Hanlon’s editorial expertise, Size Up will continue to provide our members with important information from both our contributing writers and our advertisers. This partnership will enhance our delivery of information on the topics that affect our service every day.
A major function of our organization is advocacy at all levels of government. With the challenges we are facing today, more than ever, we have to make our voices heard. In March, we held a very productive legislative Advocacy Day in Albany. We came together with other fire service organizations, including the Association of Fire Districts and Fire Coordinators Association, to name a few. The day was successful, ending with a visit from Governor Kathy Hochul, who expressed her support for our initiatives. While this day was important, it is more important that you, our members, get out and talk with your legislators. No matter their party affiliation, we need to get our message out and solidify their support for the emergency services of New York. Put your personal feelings aside and garner the support we need from everyone.
This is necessary at the federal level as well, with the recent closure of the National Fire Academy. This is unacceptable, as the academy is a vital tool to the emergency services of our country, and it needs to be reopened, fully staffed, immediately. While there may be waste in government, cutting the training and operations of the emergency services cannot be tolerated. Let’s make it our priority to have our voices heard, supporting emergency services at all levels of government.
I cannot say enough about the staff here at our association, as they continue to work diligently every day and most nights throughout the year. Their productivity and dedication provide the greatest return to members through our events, training, and benefits. Thank you to Sue Revoir, Mary Hanlon, and Jeremy Rodd for your focus on the needs of the service, so that NYSAFC can continue to be a leader in fire service training. We recently expanded our staff by adding a part-time treasurer, Oksana Franklin. Her talents and work ethic will help us become more efficient and divide up the work load. We are also in the process of bringing on some parttime clerical staff to help with the growing amount of work that we face daily.
Our staff will grow efficiently and cost effectively, ensuring that the association’s work is completed at the highest level possible, while also maintaining our cost-conscious approach to everything we do.
As always, I encourage everyone in the fire service to become a member of our association. NYSAFC is open to all chief officers, company officers, firefighters, commissioners, coordinators, and EMS members. Our association is focused on the improvement of the fire service. Membership makes us stronger! Support the association by becoming a member or by attending one of our regional training courses or seminars.
My final message is the same – let’s continue moving forward together. Stay focused, stay positive, stay educated, stay safe, and stay healthy!◆
Taking Care of Your Most Important Piece of Equipment
Rev. Leon I. VanWie, Past Chief Chaplain, New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc.
Iwas searching online for the cost of different fire trucks and saw that Qualicum Beach Fire Department in Canada took delivery of its new ladder truck. With taxes and everything it cost $2.1 million. It was placed in service on January 11, 2025. I know that prices have been going up, but that still surprised me, and it might surprise a few of you. But if your department is looking to buy a new truck, maybe you aren’t all that surprised.
Consider this – in 1933 the Carthage Fire Department (Jefferson County) purchased two new pieces of apparatus. Both were Seagraves with consecutive serial numbers. One was a pumper, and the other was a ladder truck. Both trucks, new, cost $11,300 total. Granted, there is inflation and granted, a 2025 model will undoubtedly outperform any truck from 1933; however, that is a big difference in price – $11,300 for two versus $2.1 million for just one. Thanks to Bill Blunden, executive secretary of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, for this information on the Carthage fire trucks.
Consider this – the Town of Watertown Fire District (Jefferson County) spends $3,451.56 for the preventative maintenance on their ladder truck. That includes just changing the oil, greasing it, checking belts and hoses. If you add in testing the essentials – hydraulics, ladders, etc. – each year the price is around $10,000. Thanks to Fred Sourwine, TWFD district manager and 3rd assistant chief, for this information.
Equipment, to purchase, is very expensive. Likewise, to maintain it, is very expensive! Yet, we know we need the equipment and once we have the equipment, we must maintain it.
In Luke 9 Jesus shares this with his followers…
1Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. 2He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. 3He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. 4Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns – get a modest place and be content there until you leave.”
As we think about the “equipment” we use in the fire service at MVAs, for example, imagine trying to deal with an entrapment without the use of extrication tools.
Yet, the most important tools in the fire service are the individual firefighters and medical personnel we have. While a $2.1 million ladder truck would be a tremendous asset at a structure fire, the most important equipment the fire service had in 1933 was the firefighters, and that has not changed.
As we spend a considerable amount of time, money, and other resources maintaining our fire trucks, how do we maintain our firefighters? As a leader in your department, what have you done in the last month to maintain your members? What does your department typically do to support your firefighters? Here is the start of a list of things you might consider trying:
• Have a prayer offered at your monthly meeting praying for the safety of your firefighters.
• Update your membership on the line of duty deaths in the United States and briefly describe the details of one, to put a name to a statistic.
• Mention the sick members and those in nursing homes (if any), letting the members know that they are not forgotten.
• Send a note to one of your newbies, mentioning something great they did, and thank them.
• Support a strong mentoring program to help retain new members and to “show them the ropes.”
• Provide a way for members to vent their concerns and frustrations; otherwise, the pressure cooker will eventually blow.
• If your department has had an especially difficult call, contact your area’s Critical Incident Stress Management team and provide resources to your members.
• Reassure your members that it is OK to not be OK.
Most likely your department has a maintenance schedule to be certain that vehicles are properly serviced and are ready for the next call. How about establishing a schedule to be certain that the most important piece of equipment you have (your firefighters) is being kept in prime operating condition?◆
About the Author:
Chaplain Leon VanWie served as chief chaplain of the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc., from 2020-2022. He began in the fire service in 1976 and became a chaplain within a year. VanWie was an EMT for over 15 years and currently serves as the chaplain and president for the Town of Watertown Volunteer Fire Department, chaplain for the City of Watertown Fire Department, and a deputy fire coordinator for Jefferson County in the role of chaplain. He belongs to numerous county and state fire organizations and has been a pastor since 1973. VanWie can be contacted at leonvanwie@gmail.com or (315) 771-9142 (voice and text).
Working Together to Achieve Results
Todd Vandervort, The Vandervort Group, LLC
Every year, fire service organizations collaborate to identify Issues of United Concern (IUC), which shape their legislative priorities for the upcoming session. On December 7, 2024, representatives from the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York (AFDSNY), County Fire Coordinators’ Association of the State of New York, Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York, and New York State Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association convened in Troy, N.Y. The meeting resulted in an IUC agenda comprising several legislative proposals.
The 2025-2026 New York State Legislative Session began in Albany on January 8, marking the first year of a two-year session where all bills must be reintroduced. Many of last year’s bills, including key IUC proposals, have been reintroduced, and advocacy efforts with legislators are underway to secure their passage.
We have reinvigorated our discussions with our legislative allies in the New York Senate and Assembly; however, following the November elections, 25 new legislators assumed office, necessitating efforts to build relationships and educate them about our priority bills. Grassroots mobilization has proven effective in this regard, with fire departments and districts engaging legislators in their district offices, complemented by annual Advocacy Days in Albany.
This year saw two successful Advocacy Days in March. On March 4, FASNY held its Advocacy Day, while on March 25, NYSAFC and AFDSNY hosted a joint Advocacy Day, alongside NYS Fire Coordinators. Attendance was significantly higher than in previous years, enhancing advocacy efforts.
At the March 26 event, the morning
briefing session included a speaker, Ryan Greenberg, director of the New York State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services within the NYS Department of Health, who provided updates on EMS proposals the department supports in the budget proposals. Advocacy Day attendees met with legislators throughout the afternoon and the day concluded with a reception at the Fort Orange Club featuring Governor Kathy Hochul as a special guest. The governor spoke at length about the value of the fire service in our communities and voiced her support of EMS as well.
During Advocacy Day meetings, discussions centered on the IUC agenda and key topics from the state budget proposals. These included advocating for the permanent establishment of EMS cost recovery, recognizing EMS as an “essential service,” supporting funding for the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment (VFIRE) grant program, banning the sale and production of firefighting protective gear containing PFAS chemicals, and ensuring the continuation of community-based paramedicine programs.
The timing of Advocacy Day was ideal, aligning with budget negotiations. The budget is statutorily required to be finalized on March 31 of each year, but this year the New York State Senate, Assembly, and governor were in negotiations until a tentative agreement was reached on April 28, just as this issue was going to press. This delay provided additional time to advocate for the priorities in the budget and other priority legislation that we promoted on Advocacy Day. Details are not finalized, and budget bills aren’t in print, so we will provide a final budget update for everyone under separate cover.
Advocacy Days play a pivotal role for organizations aiming to shape policy and champion their priorities. Witnessing fire-
fighters in their formal Class A uniforms advocating in the Legislative Office Building and the New York State Capitol was particularly powerful, as they pushed for critical legislation. The collaborative efforts of various organizations significantly amplified the day's success. These events offer numerous advantages for both participants and the organizations involved, including strengthened advocacy, relationship-building, and increased visibility for key issues.
Direct Engagement with Legislators: Advocacy Days provide an opportunity for advocates to meet face-to-face with lawmakers, which is one of the most effective ways to influence legislative decisions. Personal interactions help legislators connect with the issues on a human level, making advocacy efforts more impactful.
Building Relationships: These events foster long-term relationships between organizations and elected officials or their staff, leading to future collaboration, early input on legislation, and opportunities to prevent unfavorable bills.
Raising Awareness: Advocacy during these events highlights critical issues and generates public and media attention, building momentum for change. It also showcases the collective action of stakeholders invested in a cause.
Strengthening Grassroots Advocacy: By mobilizing constituents, Advocacy Days amplify voices from local communities, ensuring that legislators hear directly from those affected by policies.
Skill Development: Participants gain valuable experience in advocacy, learning how to navigate policymaking processes and effectively communicate their concerns.
If you have never participated in our Advocacy Day, we hope that next year you will join us. Be sure to join your state organizations to stay informed of the issues we are working on and how you can get involved.◆
2025 Issues of United Concern Legislative Agenda
1. Make Permanent EMS Cost Recovery:
This law, which has been in effect for four years, enables fire departments, which were previously not allowed to bill for ambulance services, to start doing so. We will seek the introduction and passage of legislation to make the law permanent.
S.4930/A.4044 (Martinez/Jones) and Senate OneHouse Proposal Part UUU of S.3005-B
2. Designate EMS as an Essential Service and Expand the Benefits Available to EMS Personnel and Set Standards for EMS:
Recognizes EMS as an essential service, establishes a special district for the financing and operation of general ambulance services, expands access to health insurance and retirement benefits available to EMS providers.
Health Executive Budget Bill S.3007/A.3007 Part R
3. Make Permanent Heart and Lung Presumption:
Seek legislation to make permanent laws relating to a presumption in favor of line of duty disability due to heart and lung disease.
S.1663/A.4718 – Heart (Harckham/Jones) and S.906/A.4477 – Lung (Harckham/Levenberg)
4. First Responder Peer Support Program Act:
Support legislation that creates a legal framework specifically for a peer support program tailored for first responders, aiming to bolster mental health resources and support within this community.
S.5407/A.7285 (Harckham/Burdick)
5. Tax Exemptions for Unremarried/Surviving Firefighters’ Spouses:
Relates to the real property tax exemption for unremarried (A.5619) or surviving (S.688-A) spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty.
S.688-A/A.5619-A (Martinez/Stern)
6. Funding for Local Governments:
Provides for state assistance to local governments for the enforcement of fire prevention and building codes “54-G.”
S.3212/A.7059 (Kavanagh/McDonald)
7. Retirement Service Credit: Establishes a retirement service credit for volunteer fire or emergency service.
S.7021 (Ryan)
8. Ensure VFBL Parity with Workers’ Compensation: Bring the Volunteer Firefighters Benefits Law (VFBL) pay equal to Workers’ Compensation Law pay that career firefighters receive when injured in the line of duty.
S.5432/A.6410 (Skoufis/McMahon)
9. Continue to Improve Tax Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters
Push to allow volunteer firefighters to receive both real property tax exemptions and income tax credit, while continuing to advocate for an income tax credit increase (has been at $200 since its inception in 2006). This credit would provide for a step increase tied to qualifying years of service up to $2,500 for 10 or more consecutive qualifying years of service.
S.6233/A.6790 (Martinez/McMahon)
COMMITTEE REPORT – NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS
2025-2026 NYSAFC Officers Announced
The Nominations & Elections Committee of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs has announced the following uncontested slate of officers for the 2025-2026 term. Officers will be sworn in during the 119th Annual Conference & FIRE
President: One-Year Term
• Chief Richard L. Lyman – White Plains Fire Department
1st Vice President: One-Year Term
• Chief William K. Owen III – Stittville Fire Department
2nd Vice President: One-Year Term
• Chief Timothy E. Boel – East Greenbush Fire District #3
Director – Career: Three-Year Terms
• Chief Kenneth M. Almy – Scotia Fire Department (re-election)
2025 Expo Installation Ceremony, scheduled for June 7, 2025, 4:00 p.m., at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Persian Terrace, in Syracuse, N.Y. The ceremony is open to all event attendees and association members.◆
• Chief Wayne C. Friedman –Cortland Fire Department (re-election)
• Chief Stefano Napolitano –City of Rochester Fire Department
Director – Volunteer: Three-Year Terms
• Deputy Fire Coordinator North Anthony D. Faso –Fredonia Fire Department
• Chief Kevin O. Kalk –Barneveld Fire Department (re-election)
• Chief Charles Kostyk – Cadyville Fire Department
• Chief Richard Nemier – Nedrow Fire Department
NYSAFC Joins Forces with Fire News to Publish Size Up Magazine
NYSAFC is pleased to announce that the association has entered a partnership with Fire News to publish the tri-annual periodical, Size Up. Since 1952, Size Up has been an important tool for communicating with association members and all of New York’s fire and emergency medical services personnel. What started as a four-page newsletter has evolved into a 40-plus page magazine, and NYSAFC’s new partnership with Fire News will ensure the publication’s continued growth well into the future. As stated by NYSAFC President Irving Merrick in the first issue, Size Up “is designed to bring to the entire membership and the general public the broad aims, objectives, and accomplishments of the association.” Size Up will continue to feature articles on fireground operations and fire department administration by renowned fire service experts, along with columns by NYSAFC officers and updates on New York state EMS and government affairs issues. NYSAFC’s 10,000-plus members and all of
New York state’s 1,500-plus fire departments will receive the Size Up print edition in May, September, and December. A digital edition will also be available for all to read.
NYSAFC Communications Coordinator Mary Hanlon will continue to serve as editor of Size Up, working with Fire News Publisher/CEO Frank Trotta, Chief Operating Officer Tim Edwards, and the Fire News production team. Barbara Connolly, Fire News vice president national sales, will coordinate advertising sales for Size Up on behalf of NYSAFC.
“Size Up has played a critical role in carrying out our mission of ‘Providing Service to Those Who Serve.’ We know our magazine will be in good hands with our friends at Fire News, who have been serving first responders for more than 50 years,” said NYSAFC Chief Executive Officer Bruce Heberer.
Members are welcome to email comments or submissions to editorial@nysfirechiefs.com.
Barbara Connolly, Frank Trotta, Richard Lyman, Anthony LaFerrera, Bruce Heberer, and Tim Edwards at the Long Island Metro Fire/EMS Expo.
Myles Quinn
Fire Service Alliance Advocacy Day In Albany
On March 26, 2025, members of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, and County Fire Coordinators’ Association of the State of New York traveled to Albany, N.Y. to participate in the Fire Service Alliance Advocacy Day.
Members met with their New York State Senate and Assembly representatives to make them aware of the critical issues impacting the fire and emergency medical services that are included in the Issues of United Concern legislative agenda. They also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Kathy Hochul to advocate on behalf of fire/EMS responders and received an update from New York State EMS Bureau Director Ryan Greenberg.
Thank you to everyone who took time to join us for the productive day. We hope you can join us at our 2026 event. Members will be updated early next year. In the meantime, it is important to continue our advocacy efforts locally throughout the year. The IUC, which is supported by NYSAFC, AFDSNY, Coordinators, and FASNY, is available on the NYSAFC website and has been included in this issue of Size Up. Members are encouraged to contact their government leaders and explain the impact of these issues on local emergency services agencies.
NYSAFC President Anthony LaFerrera greeted Governor Kathy Hochul.
Richard Lyman, Bruce Heberer, and George June (NYSAFC), Director Ryan Greenberg and Associate Health Planner Gina Wierzbowski (NYS Bureau of EMS), and John Manzi (AFDSNY).
Presidents Joseph Badala (AFDSNY), Anthony LaFerrera (NYSAFC), and William Streicher (Fire Coordinators).
NYSAFC’s Bruce Heberer, George June, Richard Lyman, and Wayne Friedman met with Senator Shelley Mayer.
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, also a member of the Medford Fire Department, met with Fire Service Alliance delegates.
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano
NYSAFC
2025 Training Programs
In Full Swing
NYSAFC’s 2025 classroom-based training programs got underway in January with Company Officers Leadership Training (COLT) 2025. This year’s two-day leadership development program was held in Erie, Fulton, and Monroe Counties
Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman (FDNY), Fire Service Attorneys Terence Hannigan, Esq. (Hannigan Law Firm) and Mark Butler, Esq. (Law Offices of Mark Butler), and Captain Joe DiFabio (Syracuse Fire Department) and Chief Paul Haynes (East Syracuse Fire Department) presented lectures for current and aspiring company officers.
The 2025 Seminar Series “Short-Handed Firefighting” is being presented by Past Chief/Coordinator of Education Mike Healy (Central Nyack Fire Department) and Firefighter/Instructor Jeff Daniels (FDNY), both of the Rockland County Fire Training Center.
The series kicked off on February 12 in Steuben County. Seminars were also held in Albany, Herkimer, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Niagara, Orange, and Wyoming Counties. The fall leg resumes on September 3 in Westchester County, with additional stops in Cortland, Erie, Fulton, Jefferson, Monroe, Nassau, Otsego, Oneida, and Rensselaer Counties. Also, the Onondaga County seminar that was postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for the fall.
Regional Hands-On Training got underway in February. NYSAFC delivers four courses throughout the year – Beyond the Basics, Fire Behavior From the Outside, Fire Behavior On the Inside, and Flashover. Open enrollment is available for various programs at sites across New York state. If your agency is interested in hosting Regional HOT, use the Host Request Forms available online. View the events and training calendar at www.nysfirechiefs.com to find educational opportunities in your area.◆
HOT at the Rexford Fire Department in Saratoga County.
NYSAFC lecturers and representatives at Monroe County COLT, from left – John Norman, Norm Knapp, Paul Haynes, Jerry Raab, Paul Melfi, Joe DiFabio, Larry Vaughan, Bill Bellingham, and Terry Hannigan.
Primo Biscaro, lecturers Mike Healy and Jeff Daniels, and Mike Lombardo at the Wyoming County seminar.
PERMA and NYSAFC 2025 Firefighter Risk Reduction MiniGrant Recipients Announced
PERMA has awarded $5,000 grants to 22 different fire departments throughout the state of New York to be used in the purchase of a new gear washer or dryer. As we know, this equipment is crucial in reducing the exposure to carcinogens and helps maintain firefighter gear integrity. Each department received this grant under the Firefighter Risk Reduction MiniGrant Program, created through a partnership between PERMA and NYSAFC. Launched in 2019, this program is available annually to members of both PERMA and NYSAFC (Department Members only), to provide financial assistance with the purchase of a new gear washer or dryer.
Since its inception, this program has provided over $275,000 in funds for gear washers and dryers through 62 grant awards to 54 member organizations. Each year, this program continues to receive more applications, which has initiated additional partnership conversations about other fire industry trends and risk management needs.
PERMA currently serves more than 300 fire departments and districts across New York state, offering a variety of risk management services tailored to the fire service. Additional services available for PERMA members include training in emergency vehicle operation, stress management, safe patient lifting instruction, General Municipal Law Section 207(a) referral services, rehabilitation best practices, as well as the standard required PESH regulatory trainings (bloodborne pathogens, PPE, etc.).
PERMA and NYSAFC continue to partner annually on cross-functional training with risk management programming and subject matter experts that are relevant to both memberships and look to provide innovative resources to New York’s firefighting community. If you would like to learn more about these offerings, please email PERMA Public Safety Risk Management Specialist Pete Frisoni at pfrisoni@perma.org. Learn more about PERMA or membership at www.perma.org/fire.
NYSAFC salutes PERMA for its ongoing commitment to firefighter safety and wellness!◆
• Brighton Fire District
• Burdett Volunteer Fire Department
• Cincinnatus Fire District
• City of Hornell Fire Department
• Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Corporation
• Colonie Fire Company
• Fayetteville Fire Department
• Guilderland Fire District
• Lake Placid Fire Department
• Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department
• Port Chester Fire Department
• Port Jervis Fire Department
• Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department
• Scarsdale Fire Department
• Sloatsburg Fire Department
• South Floral Park Fire Department
• Stottville Fire Company
• Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department
• Village of Wappingers Falls/W.T.
Garner Engine Co./S.W. Johnson Engine Co.
• West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Company
• Westmere Fire District
• Woodmere Fire District
Changes Impacting the Fire
Director of Government Relations & Policy Ken LaSala, International Association of Fire Chiefs
Writing a tri-annual column about developments in Washington, D.C. can be difficult these days. There literally is a new development each day, so some parts of this column may be a little out of date. However, you always can keep up on what is happening in Washington at www.iafc.org/gr. Here is a summary of “what’s new in D.C.”
The Trump administration
After President Donald Trump was inaugurated, he immediately got to work in making changes to the federal government. Some of these changes affect the nation’s fire and emergency service or have the potential to do so.
In March, the Trump administration temporarily closed the National Fire Academy (NFA) for in-person training. The closure was made to align the courses at the NFA to Trump administration priorities. In addition, many of the employees of the U.S. Fire Administration, who had been hired within the last two years, were laid off.
In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services began to undergo a major reorganization. Most of the staff at the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were laid off. The staff of the NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program currently are employed only until June 2. The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory was closed. The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer also suffered from major layoffs and information could no longer be submitted to the portal.
The World Trade Center Health program remained open for medical screening, but most of the research reportedly was curtailed. There were layoffs across the government covering other agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service. The Trump administration also instituted a hiring freeze, which will make it harder to replace this lost capability.
We also spent a few weeks trying to find the status of the Department of Homeland Security’s grant programs. After a months’ long delay, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now starting to pay disbursements for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG); Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S); and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
grants. The peer review process took place for the AFG grants funded by Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funds. However, no awards have been announced. In addition, the application period for the FY 2024 SAFER and FP&S grants has not started yet.
It is important to note that disbursements through the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG), and Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) will be reviewed by DHS. Secretary Kristi Noem and FEMA decided that payments through these programs have a high likelihood of grant disbursements to non-governmental organizations with an immigration nexus and/or meet sanctuary jurisdiction restrictions. FEMA will conduct an assessment and provide recommendations to DHS on whether payments should be denied or approved. FEMA will use the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) list of sanctuary jurisdictions and note any jurisdictional restrictions.
The Trump administration also has promulgated two executive orders that will affect emergency response. The first one (Executive Order 14180) would create a
and Emergency Service
FEMA Review Council. It will have no more than 20 members and be chaired by the secretaries of homeland security and defense. It will conduct a wholesale review of FEMA’s history and operations. It is tasked with holding public meetings within 90 days of the council’s creation. The council is tasked with producing a report with recommendations about reforming FEMA within 180 days of the council’s first public meeting.
The second executive order (Executive Order 14239) revises the whole homeland security framework. It requires the development of a National Resilience Strategy within 90 days. It also develops a National Critical Infrastructure Policy, which shifts the focus from “all-hazards response” to “risk-based response.” The administration will develop a National Risk Register within 240 days. In addition, the Trump administration will be revising the founding documents and other national preparedness and response policies of the homeland security
framework (HSPD-5, PPD-8) within 240 days. Within one year, DHS is tasked with revising the Emergency Support Functions, and other FEMA policies.
Congress
While the Trump administration has been at work, Congress also has been busy.
On March 15, President Trump signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full Year Appropriations and Extensions Act (P.L. 119-4).
This bill funds the federal government through September 30. Unfortunately, it only maintains the FY 2024 funding levels for federal fire service programs, which results in reduced funding for the AFG and SAFER grant programs.
Also, we have seen some progress on major fire prevention legislation. On February 4, Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (H.R. 973/S.
389). This legislation authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission to set safety standards for the charging elements and lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and other micromobility devices. S. 389 was considered and reported out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on March 12. H.R. 973 was passed by the House of Representatives on April 28. We now are working to pass this important legislation through the full Senate, so that President Trump can sign it into law.
In Conclusion
This has been a very busy year. The IAFC is keeping our members informed on developments in both the legislative and executive branch. In addition, we update our “Hot Sheet” on legislative issues on a monthly basis. You can keep informed about what is happening in D.C. by checking www.iafc.org/gr.◆
1,3 This amount includes $10 million for the development of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) program and $1.25 million for information technology upgrades at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in the Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) account.
2 The USFA base request was $65.114. This amount includes $2 million in the PC&I account for the NERIS program and $11.5 million for upgrades at the NETC.
The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
Join NYSAFC in Syracuse at the premier fire industry, rescue, and EMS expo and educational event in the Northeast! Featuring more than 120 exhibitors, 30+ fire/EMS classes, 10 Hands-On Training courses, accredited training oppor-
EXHIBITS
Apparatus, tools, equipment, new technologies, and services for fire/EMS responders will be on display. Last year, inside exhibit space sold out! View the vendor list at www.nysfirechiefs.com
REGISTRATION, HOTELS, & PARKING
Register in advance or at the door!
Conference Full Term (expo and classes)
NYSAFC Individual Member: $100
Non-Member: $175
One Day Tickets (expo only)
FREE from vendors!
Pre-Registration: $25 (includes three tickets)
On-Site: $10 (per day)
Kids 15 and Under
Free entry to the expo.
FREE parking is available at The Oncenter Garage, across the street from the exhibit hall.
NYSAFC room blocks are available in 10 hotels. Reservation cut-off dates vary.
tunities for codes, EMS, and fire district personnel, and networking events for first responders of all ranks, there’s something for everyone at FIRE 2025.
June 4-7, 2025
The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
“The
Anatomy of a Collapse –How I Survived”
EMT/Firefighter John McMaster, Baltimore City (MD) Fire Department
Thursday, June 5 – 2:00 p.m. @ The Oncenter Ballroom Open to all attendees
On January 24, 2022, a three-story row home collapsed trapping four members of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler, Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Lacayo, and Lieutenant Paul Butrim died as a result of the collapse. EMT/Firefighter John McMaster was the only survivor, and he will join NYSAFC in Syracuse to tell attendees how skip breathing and the efforts of his brothers and sisters saved his life.
FIRE/EMS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Wednesday, June 4 – Saturday, June 7 @ The Oncenter Open to Conference Full Term registrants
More than 30 classroom lectures will be delivered by nationally renowned fire service leaders, including Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator (Ret.) Dr. Denis Onieal, Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman, Battalion Chief John Salka, Deputy Chief (Ret.) Robert “Butch” Cobb, Lieutenant John Lewis and Chief (Ret.) Robert Moran, Lieutenant Mike Scotto, and many more! Certified EMS providers can earn CMEs by attending six EMS classes at FIRE 2025. Go to our website for the class schedule!
Sponsored by
VOLUNTEER CHIEFS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Friday, June 6 – 2:00 p.m. @ The Oncenter Rooms C-E Open to all attendees
The NYSAFC Volunteer Chiefs Committee will be moderating a roundtable discussion at FIRE 2025! Join in the conversation on current issues, policies, procedures, and a variety of other topics impacting the volunteer fire service today. Pick the brains of our committee members and other attendees – your problems may not be as unique as you thought!
June 4-7, 2025
The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
HANDS-ON TRAINING
Wednesday, June 4 – Friday, June 6 @ Syracuse F.D. Training Center
Pre-registration required (includes Conference Full Term pass)
Just over 500 students completed high-intensity HOT at our 2024 event! Get in on the action. 10 challenging courses will be delivered by some of the most knowledgeable instructors in the business. *Denoted classes are physically demanding.
• Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera Ops (4 Hours/Live Fire)
• Advanced Vehicle Extrication (8 Hours)
• Engine Company Ops (4 Hours/Live Fire)
• Fire Behavior On the Inside* (8 Hours/Live Fire)
• Firefighter Rescue: Do You Have What It Takes?* (4 Hours)
• Truck Ops: Search and Rescue (4 Hours/Live Fire)
CODES TRAINING
Wednesday, June 4 & Thursday, June 5 @ The Oncenter
Registration: $200 per day (includes Conference Full Term pass)
Personnel have the opportunity to earn 16 hours (8 per day) through code enforcement in-service approved courses. Students can register for training on one or both days.
FIRE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS’ TRAINING SERIES
Fire Service Attorneys Terry Hannigan and Mark Butler
Two of the leading fire service attorneys in New York state will present two special educational programs at this year's conference! Students can register for one or both programs.
“NEW YORK STATE FIRE COMMISSIONER TRAINING”
Wednesday, June 4 @ The Oncenter
Registration: $200 (includes Conference Full Term pass)
The course meets and exceeds the requirements of Town Law 176-e, is approved by the New York state comptroller, and satisfies fire commissioner training requirements for those required to complete training within 270 days of election or appointment.
“FIRE
CHIEFS AND FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS:
WHO’S REALLY IN
CHARGE?”
Thursday, June 5 @ The Oncenter
Registration: $125 (includes Conference Full Term pass)
June 4-7, 2025
The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
NYSAFC FIRE 2025 9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB & WALK
Friday, June 6 – 8:00 a.m. @ Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial Registration: $35 (climb), $10 (juniors, 17 and under), $20 (walk)
NYSAFC's climb to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th is back on Friday at a new venue, The War Memorial, next door to the exhibit hall. New this year – if you can't participate in the climb but are attending the conference, take part in a virtual walk. You'll receive an honor badge and challenge coin, and walk the exhibit floor (June 5-7) to show your support. Register or donate to support the climb to benefit the NFFF and FDNY Counseling Services Unit at https://bit.ly/4hrrtFC
VISIT SYRACUSE
Plan ahead and visit www.visitsyracuse.com/nysafc to learn more about the restaurants, shops, nightlife, and family-friendly activities to enjoy after show hours!
FIRE 2025 BLOCK PARTY
Friday, June 6 – 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. @ Marriott Syracuse Downtown (South Warren Street) Open to all attendees
Enjoy a night of live music, catch up with old friends, and connect with other conference attendees at our annual Block Party! Food, refreshments, and adult beverages will be available. Rain or shine!
June 4-7, 2025
The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Subject to change. *Special registration required for denoted programs.
Wednesday, June 4
• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hands-On Training* @ Syracuse F.D. Training Center
• 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fire District Administrators' Training Series: Fire Chiefs and Fire District Commissioners - Who's Really in Charge* @ The Oncenter Rooms C-E
• 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Fire & EMS Education Programs (Full Term Registrants Only) @ The Oncenter Rooms 1-6
• 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Fire & EMS Education Programs (Full Term Registrants Only) @ The Oncenter Rooms 1-6
• 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Installation Ceremony
@ Marriott Syracuse Downtown Persian Terrace
For many years I struggled with what I wanted to do with my life. Sitting in a cubical for eight hours a day in front of a computer was surely not fulfilling my need for something more challenging. Then in 2009, I applied for a position with the Baltimore City (MD) Fire Department. After a long wait, the day finally came. In 2015, I was appointed as one of Baltimore’s newest firefighters. I began my journey into the greatest profession on the planet.
This journey began with my first assignment to Engine 36 in West Baltimore, where my first officer taught me as much as possible. We would drill on everything from hose work to forcible entry, from portable ladders to search. However, most importantly, he taught me how to skip breathe. Who would ever believe that the time he spent training me in my earlier years would eventually come back to save my life.
If you ask anyone if they remember where they were and what they were doing when John F. Kennedy was assassinated or on 9/11, they will tell you, “I absolutely do remember.” Every person has that defining date in their life; a date that possibly changed them or their life in immeasurable ways. My date was January 24, 2022. It is this date that has changed me in ways that I continue to discover and manage.
January 24, 2022, was a warmer than normal morning in West Baltimore when Engine 14’s wagon pulled out of their Hollins Street firehouse, heading to a reported fire on South Stricker Street. On arrival, we were met with fire venting from the front of a vacant three-story building. I was riding fourth, which means I was on leadoff. It was my responsibility to complete the connection from the engine to the hydrant.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Stay Engaged in Your Training
EMT/Firefighter John McMaster, Baltimore City (MD) Fire Department
Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler and Firefighter/EMT Kenny Lacayo already had the first floor knocked by the time I finished making the connection and made entry into the fire building myself. Shortly after making entry, the building came down on top of us. Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler (E14), Firefighter Kenneth Lacayo (E14), Lieutenant Paul Butrim (T23), and I were trapped. The house came down without a sound. I will never forget the initial hit, which I took to my head. My mind raced, “Oh, my God! The building just collapsed!” I remember after the building came down, I tried to simply get up and brush myself off so I could get going again. I quickly realized that this wasn’t going to be an option. I was unable to move very much. I could move my right arm, but only from my elbow to fingertips. I tried to shift around as much as possible to avoid being burned. Unfortunately, this was not an option. I was being burned on several parts of my body.
At this point, my training kicked in, and everything my first officer taught me became fresh in my mind. I started to skip breathe. Three quick inhales and a seven second exhale. I knew I had to keep this breathing pattern up for as long as possible. I knew that if my brothers and sisters didn’t dig me out before I ran out of air, I was going to die. The clock started ticking and there were no timeouts allowed for any of us. As the seconds and minutes ticked away, all I could do was try to remain calm, skip breathe, try to shift from burn to burn, and pray that my brothers and sisters of the BCFD could get to us in time. It felt like an eternity. The only sound was the chirping of the PASS device.
I continued to try to concentrate on my
breathing; three quick inhales and a seven second exhale. Will they reach me in time?
Three quick inhales and a seven second exhale. At one point, I heard someone shout down to me, “Who are you?” I simply replied, “Engine 14 portable 4.” Three quick inhales and a seven second exhale. It was this discipline, this training that I learned early in my career that I absolutely credit with saving my life. This training was what gave the brave members of the BCFD the time they needed to find and extricate me. Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky as I was that day. The BCFD suffered the staggering loss of three courageous firefighters whose sacrifice will never be forgotten. I will forever tell the story of my journey in honor of them and to demonstrate the importance of training. I will share how to skip breathe when you are placed in a dire situation. I will always stress the magnitude of realistic training on every aspect of firefighting, and how training should never take a back seat. We must remember to always engage in training like our life depends on it, because some day, it just may.◆
About the Author:
EMT/Firefighter John McMaster was hired by the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2015. Upon graduation, McMaster was assigned to Engine Co. 36, where he was taught skip breathing as a probationary firefighter. After two years, he transferred to Engine 14 and was placed on C shift, where his training continued. During the early morning of January 24, 2022, while operating inside a three-floor dwelling, a collapse took place trapping four members. Firefighter John McMaster was the only survivor, and he credits skip breathing and the bravery of his brothers and sisters for his survival.
Vacant to Occupied: How Alterations Challenge Us
Part 1
Michael Scotto
Across America older structures are being torn down to make way for new construction containing different occupancies. Where there were commercial and industrial buildings, factories, churches, warehouses, and malls, we now have new residential, commercial, or educational buildings. But often, it is cheaper to reuse an older building than to have it demolished and rebuilt. As these modified structures are created, we must physically inspect them. What changes were made?
For example, sometimes a specific building type typically has multiple stairways, but now there’s only one. Have they created additional voids or cocklofts on multiple floors? If a commercial building transforms into a residential building, interior alarms
or sprinklers may be removed because the fire code no longer applies. There was a case where an additional floor was added to a six-story building, creating a 7th floor. However, it was considered a mezzanine, since it was less than 33-1⁄3 % of a floor by code. The reality was a seven-story building for firefighters.
When an older structure is not demolished, it can be rehabilitated using fewer raw materials. Demolition accounts for 90% of construction waste. Let us not forget that older structures contain potentially hazardous building material that could be released. By reusing older structures, cities become revitalized, which can create a sense of community and lay groundwork for more expansion. In Pittsburgh, Pa., a high school
sat vacant for 10 years. Investors saw potential and purchased it. It was converted into a 331-room apartment building within 18 months. They reused materials from the original building, including furniture and the hardwood flooring from the auditorium. The classroom layout and the large windows remained.
The federal government owns approximately 8,000 unoccupied structures nationwide. Here lies the challenge. The U.S. faces a shortage of 7 million homes, mostly in urban areas. With remote and hybrid job growth in a region, businesses need more office and retail space, which can lead to more workers and the need for more residential space. In communities across the country, this has helped drive the transfor-
mation of many existing buildings for new uses.
In some areas they are combining banks with other commercial occupancies to create a one-stop casual shopping experience. While this is not entirely new, these are rehabilitated structures. The use of concrete and steel in banks is now more common than the bulletproof glass of years ago. Do we as a department take an interest in these changes? Look at our PSS training – realistically. In many cases, it’s done once or twice a year. Not the proper way to create muscle memory with a tactic that, when needed, must be performed precisely. With building rehabilitation, a proactive mindset is necessary.
What changes are being made to the building? We all realize that the construction industry uses materials that are structurally sound. That is, until fire is added into the mix. Buildings aren’t really built fireproof. Class 1 structures are called this, but it’s only a term. Everything burns or is destroyed by fire in some way. Concrete begins to spall, or break apart, when the temperature reaches only 212 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s because water begins to boil at this temperature. The water that’s in concrete starts to boil, which causes spalling. We see that even fireproof buildings are not truly fireproof, especially with the petroleumbased contents of today, combined with thermal-pane windows and the better insulation that is used. Inspecting these structures is extremely important to our strategies and tactics moving forward. Chiefs, company officers, and members, whenever possible, must have the opportunity to see what we are up against. It’s just common sense!
I have written that firefighters must be “surgeons of building construction.” We need to know all we can about the types of structures we may one day deal with. We must know the bones, the arteries, the nervous system, and the problems that can occur whenever the body is sick. We, like surgeons, must consider age, size, and any prosthetics that may have been added to the patient that may change our methods of cure.
Some changes to buildings may only be cosmetic in nature. Our concern should be, what are the materials used in these cosmetic changes? How do they affect the heat generated? What other issues might we now
have to deal with? What structural deficiencies are they covering up? Increased life hazards, localized collapse, rapid extension, or egress that might trap civilians or members must be considered. Knowing the construction types of buildings and their inherent design issues is necessary. We must understand how these structural and/or cosmetic changes affect our strategies and tactics regarding the construction type we are dealing with, not to mention, the new occupancy the structure has become.
In real estate terms, it’s called an adaptive reuse. Here are some things investors consider – structural integrity, energy efficiency, historical features, and compatibility. Advantages of rehabilitation for investors are increased versatility, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility with types of materials you can use. When newly engineered or manmade materials are used, the older heat release rate (HHR) of any potential fire is now increased.
Are sprinklers part of rehabilitation? If so, can they handle the volatility of newer structural and content materials? This valid question is relevant for occupancies that change. If a gift store had a sprinkler system and it became a hardware store, rarely, if ever are the sprinklers updated for the new occupancy.
Newer materials being used today have advantages and disadvantages. The plus side for investors is the cheaper costs. Engineered wood or a lighter C-joist construction material is very sound under normal conditions. I have also found that in many cases older material is reused to reduce costs. The issue that arises is this – older, heavier structural material combined with lighter, less fire-resistant materials in the same structure on a scale larger than a simple kitchen or bathroom remodel.
In many instances, flooring and structural beams are a common reuseable product. It looks nostalgic, which gives the interior a very desirable atmosphere. Ask yourself, do I know the stability of older structural materials? As mentioned, builders may use older beams. If they replace damaged materials using materials from the same period, they will not shrink as newer wood will. What was the previous occupancy? If it was manufacturing, could any fumes have saturated those beams over time? How will the higher heat from modern contents affect the flammability of older
materials? If the sprinkler heads are below the ceiling, this will negate their use for fires above them.
Clearly, rehabs will have some of the issues mentioned. What other issues might arise? Thorough inspection benefits operating forces! If you don’t, you don’t know!
Newer materials used include wooden Ibeams held together with glue. They are cured to guarantee flexibility. They start to fail at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If they are used as roof rafters, they are supported from the foundation by a steel column. They are used in private dwellings, where high, open ceilings are desired. Pre-inspections make us aware of the collapse potential. High heat could compromise the steel beam, thereby leading to collapse. Remember, at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, steel softens or bends. Type-X, a fire rated type of drywall, is used in most occupancies. Residential and commercial can be 1⁄2-inch, with garages, elevators, and stairwells using 5⁄8-inch. They have a one-hour fire rating, but owner-desired improvements can compromise that time.
Towns and cities with no building inspectors depend on the architect to follow codes. This leads us to working with the architectural company for our updates – a good thing. Through research, I found that an American Indian tribe in the Midwest has their own board that approves rehabilitation. They are always ahead of the curve with fire codes. Impressive to say the least.
In a future issue of Size Up, we’ll examine additional impacts of adaptative reuse on the fire service. A special thank you to Mr. Robert Brandwick of HTG Architects for helping with this article.◆
About the Author:
Mike Scotto served with the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) from 1979-2021. He was appointed to lieutenant in 1997 and assigned to Tower Ladder 58 in the Bronx. Previous assignments included Engine 18 in Manhattan and Tower Ladder 157 in Brooklyn. Scotto is a New York state fire instructor, national fire instructor Level I and II, and master exercise practitioner certified through the Department of Homeland Security, as well as an Orange County fire instructor. He presented the NYSAFC 2024 Seminar Series and will be lecturing at the 119th Annual Conference.
NFPA ERRS Standards Consolidation:
What Does It Mean and What Do I Need to Know?
Kenneth Gale
What is NFPA?
What began as a businessman trying to protect his assets from fire evolved into what is today an agency of international recognition dedicated to life safety, and property and economic loss protection.
A piano maker by trade, Henry S. Parmelee designed the first practical automated sprinkler head in 1874. With multiple patents issued for his design from 1874 through 1882, Parmelee was seeking relief from the ever-increasing insurance rates of that time due to large, uncontrollable factory fires.
American ingenuity took over from here and soon there were multiple sprinkler head manufacturers all claiming to be the best and all inherently different in their design, installation, and effectiveness. What the industry needed was oversight, regulation, testing, and a uniform standard for the manufacture and installation of these new systems.
A group of insurance company representatives and a pipe manufacturing engineer met in Boston in 1895 and formed the Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Protection. Their goal was to eliminate inconsistencies between different locations and systems all around the city of Boston and to establish standards and expectations for these new fire sprinkler system designs.
In 1896, this committee issued their report on fire sprinkler systems, and their work and dedication to public safety quickly evolved into what we know today as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA was formed on November 6, 1896, and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
The Basics – Should vs. Shall – Code vs. Standard
Before diving too deeply into this topic, here is a simple summary of some basic NFPA terminology. While seemingly simple and straightforward, these terms and definitions present a tool for assessing needs versus wants and identifying best practices for establishing the standard of care at your fire station. The terms below are from Chapter 3 of most all NFPA standards.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.
Shall – Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Should – Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.
Standard – An NFPA standard, the main text of which contains
only mandatory provisions using the word “shall” to indicate requirements and that is in a form generally suitable for mandatory reference by another standard or code or for adoption into law. Nonmandatory provisions are not to be considered part of the requirements of a standard and shall be located in the appendix, annex, footnote, informational note, or other means as permitted in the NFPA manuals of style. [The term “manuals of style” is interpreted to refer to the overall layout and chapter layouts in all NFPA standards.]
First, to help differentiate between a code and a standard, the NFPA website offers the following – “One way of looking at the differences between codes and standards is that a code tells you what you need to do, and a standard tells you how to do it.”
Knowing your AHJ is essential. While local, county, and state websites are good starting points for most organizations to begin their research, individuals such as local building inspectors or the municipality’s fire marshal should also be considered and consulted. Within each state building code is a list of adopted reference standards. Check your local codes for which versions of the NFPA standards your state is currently using.
For example, the NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems for New York state is based on the 2015 version of this standard, not the current 2022 version. In cases such as this, departments and their attorneys should review how to proceed. Is it in your department’s best interest to follow the minimum standards set by your state or should more current versions of the same standard be reviewed for changes and potential improvements? Will the more recent changes present a financial hardship on the department, company, or district? Last, will the town, village, or city building inspector or fire marshal require you to follow the more recent version of this NFPA standard, thus making the local requirement
more stringent than the state requirement? These should be vetted out early in the design process to avoid large design changes, increases to the cost of construction, and potential change orders depending on when the building permit is issued versus when the bids are issued.
The NFPA Standards Development Process and the ERRS
“The NFPA standards development process is a consensus process that encourages participation of all facets of industry, trades, government, enforcers, and anyone interested in improving safety and reducing fire loss.”
These were the opening remarks by Standards Council Chair James Quiter at the June 20, 2024, NFPA Technical Committee Conference. The standards development process is transparent and open to the public to post comments on all aspects of the revision cycle process. Technical Committee (TC) members are 100% volunteers who are experts in their related fields of work. The committees are comprised of first responders, manufacturers, medical professionals, architects, engineers, and experts in the field of fire service and firefighter health and safety.
The NFPA Emergency Response & Responder Safety (ERRS) Project is a consolidation plan voted and approved by the NFPA in early 2019. Work began in January 2020 and the goal was to modify, consolidate, and remove inconsistencies between all NFPA standards related to firefighter health, safety, operations, and professional qualifications by 2025. A detailed overview of the consolidation project can be found on the NFPA website. The standards to be reviewed and consolidated were broken into five organizational groups. Work has progressed swiftly over the last 4-1⁄2 years. For a review of which standards are part of the process and which ones fall into each individual group, visit the NFPA website. Here is the status of all current Revision Cycle Groups:
• Group 1 was completed and issued in 2022.
• Group 2 was completed and issued in 2024.
• Group 3 is 75% complete with last consolidation expected in 2025.
• Group 4 is in progress with completions expected in 2025 and 2026.
• Group 5 is in progress with completions expected in 2026.
Main Takeaways Related to Fire Station Health, Safety, and Facility Design
NFPA 1550 – Standard for Emergency Responder Health and Safety was issued on December 21, 2023, with an effective date of January 10, 2024, and was a consolidation of the following standards:
• NFPA 1500 – Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program
• NFPA 1521 – Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer
Professional Qualifications
• NFPA 1561 – Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System and Command Safety
Zones
Highlights for the design of improved health and safety for first responder facilities in the newly issued 1550 are as follows:
§12.5.1 of the 2021 version of the NFPA 1500 calls for designated zones in fire stations to be red/yellow/green zones as opposed to hot/cold zones. It has often been observed that nationally, this practice has not fully been undertaken by many recent fire station designs. It is critically important to adhere to this requirement for healthier, safer, and NFPA-compliant essential facilities.
§12.5.2.1 states that each zone shall have an isolated HVAC system. The addition of the yellow/transition zone provides an airlock to avoid migration of contaminated air directly from the red to green zones.
§12.5.2.3 states, “the transition area (yellow) shall include restrooms and shower facilities.” [It should be noted that this new requirement was discussed at the 2023 Standards Review Committee Meeting in Quincy, Mass. This broad statement should be better clarified in Appendix A of this new 1550 Standard. Many larger fire stations and public safety buildings have two to three passageways from red to green zones. Adding showers and restrooms at every yellow/transition space would add costly floor space to many new and renovated facility projects. An Appendix A clarification on this matter failed to make it into the newly issued standard.]
§12.5.7 states, “Where bulk storage of consumable products is stored in red or yellow areas, steps shall be taken to reduce ex-
posure to residual diesel exhaust and offgassing of contaminated equipment and PPE.” With this new language, design firms and their clients need to discuss this requirement and move water bottle storage and coolers out of red/yellow zones and into a hydration room or corridor niche in the green zone directly adjacent to a yellow zone corridor entrance.
Medical and Physical Requirements
Fire department review of new procedures and requirements for SOPs pertaining to medical and physical requirements, behavioral health and wellness programs, and occupational exposure to potentially traumatic events should be carefully reviewed for new language, requirements, and recommendations. A review of Annex L – Emergency Operation Centers (formally part of NFPA 1561) should also be performed by the fire department with their AHJs and municipal leaders.
NFPA 1851 – Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus is scheduled to complete its revision cycle in 2025 and to be issued in 2026 and will be a consolidation of the following standards:
• NFPA 1851 – Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (2020 current edition)
• NFPA 1852 – Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) (2019 current edition)
Cleaning and Decontamination
Highlights for the design of improved health and safety for first responder facilities in the newly issued 1850 will be as follows: [Note: All listed new language below are excerpts from the NFPA website that have already been released for public comment with the second draft period closed as of May 30, 2024. All pending revisions still under TC review and discussion cannot be printed for public view at this time.]
§7.3.9(4) of the 2020 version of NFPA 1851, Chapter 7 – Cleaning and Decontamination states “Water temperature shall not exceed 40°C (105°F).”
§7.3.9.1(4) of forthcoming NFPA 1850 Standard states, “Water temperature shall (Continued on page 37)
The Crucial Difference
Dave Cline
Effective and efficient fire departments have strong policies and procedures in place to guide the actions of their personnel. I’ve written about this before (https://bit.ly/4i2Igz7), but to the uninitiated, policies and procedures may seem like one and the same. They’re actually quite different, though they interact and rely on each other.
A solid framework of policies provides fire service professionals and volunteers with boundaries within which they are expected to operate. By the same token, standardized procedures guide the specific actions of fire service personnel as they serve the community. Both documents are important, and strong organizations maintain them separately.
Policies vs. Procedures
At NYSAFC partner Lexipol, policies are “guiding principles intended to influence decisions and actions.” In the most basic terms, policies are rules. Policies tell employees what they can do, what they are expected to do, or what they cannot do. Policies are widespread in application; they typically apply to all personnel, and they address major organizational issues.
In conjunction with policies, fire departments need to have written procedures. Procedures are fundamentally different than policies. In Lexipol terms, procedures are “a particular and specific way of doing things.” In essence, they describe a process. Because of this, they are often very narrow in application and are stated in detail. By nature, procedures change more often than policies due to evolution in technology, equipment, or processes.
Examples of Policies and Procedures
To illustrate the differences between policy and procedure in the fire service, consider the topic of personal protective
equipment (PPE). Department policy will tell firefighters when they are required to wear their PPE in particular situations. Policy will also provide limitations on how members may alter their PPE, and state their PPE must be properly decontaminated after a vehicle or structure fire.
A corresponding departmental procedure will then describe how PPE is to be decontaminated, or what needs to be done with PPE that has been damaged. The rule (policy) that firefighters need to wear their personal protective equipment for fires involving vehicles or structures is unlikely to change. The specific steps firefighters must take to decontaminate their PPE (procedure) is likely to evolve as new detergents become available, different materials are used, and departments purchase new extractors or dryers for PPE.
There are instances, though, when a procedure needs to be included within a policy. If we consider a policy on discriminatory harassment, there is a procedure that must be followed if an employee believes they are being harassed or a supervisor becomes aware of harassment taking place. This procedure becomes a part of the “rules” in this situation because a supervisor may be disciplined for not properly responding to or reporting the harassment up the chain of command.
Easy to Read and Follow
By design, Lexipol strives to craft policies that are easy to understand on the first read. We believe brevity is clarity. With that, Lexipol policies and procedures do not include any training materials. For example, if a policy states firefighters must wear their PPE, a procedure then describes the process for how PPE is to be decontaminated. We do not include in either document the warning that repeated exposure to contaminated PPE puts firefighters at greater risk for cancer, or that structural firefighting PPE provides lit-
tle to no protection from most hazardous materials. These are training points typically taught to every firefighter.
Every fire department, regardless of size or whether they are a career or volunteer organization, needs written policies and procedures. Policies should guide the actions of personnel, and procedures explain what personnel need to do to be in compliance with the policy.
Explore resources available from NYSAFC partner Lexipol at www.lexipol.com/industries/fire ◆
About the Author:
Dave Cline worked the majority of his 30-year emergency services career in suburban Kansas City, Mo. After seven years of working in a public safety model department, he left for an opportunity in another Kansas City suburb where the fire department was transitioning from an all-volunteer organization to a career department. Over the past 21 years, Cline has been promoted from captain to assistant chief/fire marshal to deputy chief. For the last six years he has served as fire chief. He now works as a professional services specialist with Lexipol.
The 2025 Long Island Metro Fire/EMS Expo, hosted by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs and Islip Town Fire/EMS Museum Educational Center, was held January 31 – February 2 at Nassau Coliseum.
More than 4,400 fire/EMS responders attended our fourth annual expo and educational event, which included a sold out and expanded exhibit floor and 156 vendors. The diversified education program included accredited EMS and Codes Training courses, in-
teractive sessions for junior firefighters, and Hybrid Vehicle Extrication Hands-On Training presented by the Suffolk County Fire Academy.
Thank you to our exhibitors, attendees, instructors, and volunteers for your support! Details on our 2026 event will be available later this year. Check out more photo highlights at https://bit.ly/3KgF8lb
Chase Millwater/Fire News
Chase Millwater/Fire News
Chase Millwater/Fire News
Paul Melfi led an impromptu roundtable with a powerhouse panel of fire service leaders: Tom Richardson, Jim Duffy, Denis Onieal, Mike Scotto, Paul Haynes, Chris Rea, and Bill Hanrahan.
NYSAFC President Anthony LaFerrera and Past President Robert Kloepfer.
NYSAFC HOT Coordinator Paul Melfi, expo lecturer and EMS Committee Chairman Paul Cousins, and Fire Education Committee Vice Chairman William Hanrahan.
Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator (Ret.) Dr. Denis Onieal (USFA) and Chief (Ret.) Tom Richardson (FDNY).
Director Ryan Greenberg and staff from the New York State Bureau of EMS met with NYSAFC board and EMS Committee members at the expo.
New this year – students earned 6 in-service codes hours by completing a full-day course coordinated by the NYSAFC Codes Committee. NYSAFC CEO Bruce Heberer introduced committee member and lecturer Christopher Roth, president of the New York State Fire Marshals & Inspectors Association.
Members of the Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association are participating in an exchange program with junior firefighters from Germany. We were honored to welcome delegates from Germany to the expo. This year’s event included a new Junior Firefighter Zone, where attendees could sharpen their skills and socialize.
Instructors from the Suffolk County Fire Academy delivered Hybrid Vehicle Extrication HOT at Nassau Coliseum.
Suffolk County Fire Academy Instructors John Hlavacek and Fred Hess with Jeremy Hunt.
NYSAFC Members –In Memoriam
Chief (Ret.) Warren W. Abriel Jr.
Albany Fire Department
Past NYSAFC Committee Member
Firefighter Michael Barhold
Holbrook Fire Department
Past Chief Theodore R. Beck
Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company
Ex-Chief Thomas W. Bierds
Rockland Lake Fire Department
NYSAFC Regional Representative
Ex-Chief Anthony Butera Sr.
East Meadow Fire Department
Past Chief Walter Czechowski
Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Department
Past Chief John J. Deshler
Chester Fire Department
Commissioner Micheal Dola
New Hyde Park Fire Department
Past Chief Earl Drury
Port Crane Fire Company
Past Assistant Chief
Evan S. Eisenhandler
Poestenkill Fire Department
Past NYSAFC Government Affairs
Coordinator
Warren W. Abriel Jr.
Past Chief William Faltin
East Northport Fire Department
Firefighter Edward Faughnan
Lake Mohegan Fire Department
Commissioner Frank Fiaschetti
Speigletown Fire Department
Past NYSAFC Committee Member
Ex-Chief George D. Fosdick
Ridgefield Park (NJ) Fire Department
Commissioner David Hancock
Gates Fire District
Treasurer/Past Chief
Lawrence M. Howk
Brighton Fire Department
Chief Martin J. Ingram Sr.
Point Breeze Fire Department
Captain Robert D. Kerr
Town of Greenburgh Fire District
Assistant Chief Ross C. Leopold
Slate Hill Fire Department
Past Chief Frank Liquori
Harriman Fire Department
Chief Robert S. Mantaski
Castleton Fire Department
Past President
Richard A. Martinkovic
Liberty Fire Department
Past NYSAFC Regional
Representative
Ex-Chief John F. Miller
Wyandanch Fire Department
Chaplain Donald Mula
Brewerton Fire Department
Chief Patrick C. Murphy
New Hyde Park Fire Department
Ex-Chief James Pearce
North Merrick Fire Department
Commissioner John J. Pulli
Clarence Fire District #1
Past Chief Robert S. Relyea
Vernon Fire Department
Ex-Chief Patrick Walsh
East Farmingdale Fire Company, Inc
Ex-Chief John J. Zupetz Sr.
Silver Lake Fire Department
Warren W. Abriel Jr. passed away on April 3, 2025. A fourth-generation firefighter, he was a retired chief of the Albany Fire Department, where he served for 46 years. Abriel led the department for four years, retiring in 2018. The Abriel family’s service with the AFD dates back to 1867, when his great-grandfather was one of the department’s first paid members. Abriel also served for nearly 30 years as a part-time advisor for the National Fire Academyaffiliated program at Empire State College and was a past New York state fire instructor. A member of NYSAFC since 1981, he served on the Paid Officers Committee for several years. Abriel was also a member of several other organizations, including the IAFC, NFPA, and Albany Firefighters Museum board. He served with the United States Navy.
Thomas W. Bierds
Thomas W. Bierds, longtime NYSAFC Rockland County regional representative, passed away on October 28, 2024. Bierds was a member and ex-chief of the Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company #1 – Rockland Lake Fire Department, where he served for more than 30 years. He was also an honorary member of the Congers Fire Department, where he previously served, and was an instructor at the Rockland County Fire Training Center. Bierds was a director and past president of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association, past director of the Hudson Valley Firefighters Association, trustee of the NJ/NY Firefighters Association, and retired communications officer with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office. He was a life member of NYSAFC who joined the association in 1972 and was honored as the 2004 recipient of NYSAFC’s Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award. Since 1988, he was one of NYSAFC’s most active regional reps. A skilled photographer, Bierds also volunteered his time shooting NYSAFC Hands-On Training and events.
Evan S. Eisenhandler
Evan S. Eisenhandler passed away on October 9, 2024. A member of NYSAFC since 1981, he was the government affairs coordinator on staff from 20022004 and previously served as a member of the Legislative Committee and a Rensselaer County regional representative. Eisenhandler was active in the fire and emergency medical services for more than 50 years. He was a past assistant chief of the Poestenkill Fire Department and served for many years as the Rensselaer County EMS coordinator. Most recently, he worked as the New York state executive director of Operation Lifesaver, retiring in 2021, and was a longtime advocate for rail safety. Eisenhandler served in the New York State Army National Guard.
January 30 – February 1, 2026
(Continued from page 27)
not exceed 49°C (120°F).”
Here, increased temperatures can help effectively remove more contaminants such as PAHs and VOCs from the PPE, but it is important to note at this time the TC is still weighing the options of this increased temperature for advanced cleaning procedures and only considering this new language for specialized cleaning at this time due to the lower frequency of cycles that PPE undergo specialized cleaning.
Revised definitions of forthcoming NFPA 1850:
§3.3.13.1 – Advanced Cleaning: The act of removing both soiling and contamination generally associated with products of combustion that arise from fireground or other emergency scene exposures.
§3.3.13.2 – Specialized Cleaning: The act of removing hazardous materials, soiling associated with body fluids, or other forms of contamination that require special attention or handling due to the hazards imposed by these substances or the need for unique techniques for their removal.
§7.3.9.1(5) of forthcoming NFPA 1850 Standard states, “A water softener shall be considered if water hardness is above 60 ppm.”
Here, it is explained in detail in Appendix A that high water hardness can interfere with the effectiveness of some detergents in their ability to remove soil and contaminants from PPE.
In Closing
This article endeavors to offer a brief overview of some of the changes in NFPA standards that will require thought-provoking design considerations from fire service decision-makers and architects. Brevity is, unfortunately, not an option due to the extensive amount of information previously completed and currently under review for the ERRS Consolidation Project. It will be essential to visit the NFPA website, review the ERRS webpage, and take a long dive into the newly consolidated standards. Your department will be grateful that you did
About the Author:
Kenneth Gale is the emergency services market leader at Mitchell Associates Architects, which is teamed with Five Bugles Design as part of Wendel, a full-scope architecture and engineering firm. He has over 26 years of professional experience with 21 of those years dedicated to fire station, emergency service facilities, and essential facility design. Gale has worked on over 114 fire stations and emergency response facility projects thus far in his career. He currently sits on three NFPA Technical Committees as a voting principal member of the NFPA 1550 Standard for Emergency Responder Health and Safety, NFPA 1580 Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health, and NFPA 1225 Emergency Services Communications.
Human Performance: The Link to Fireground Safety
John Lewis and Robert Moran
Human performance can be defined as a series of behaviors and actions one executes to accomplish a specific task. While it is historically associated with the world of sports and exercise, in the fire service, it centers on the physical, mental, and emotional ability of a firefighter to complete their assigned tasks. It is also a key component of the level of safety each one of us chooses at an incident. Here is an example.
Ladder 3 is second due at a private dwelling fire and the team is ordered to ventilate the roof. The members ascend the aerial ladder with their equipment and begin the actions required to complete the assigned task. None of them are wearing a SCBA mask, as they should be, and before the crew is able to complete the 4-by-4 opening the intensifying smoke condition forces them off the roof without completing the assignment. The result is straightforward. The intentional human error of not wearing SCBA led to hazardous behavior that prevented the crew from completing the assigned task of venting the roof. Because of this flawed performance, advancing the line to the seat of the fire was delayed, and the fire raced through the top floor of the dwelling and destroyed the home.
The Foundation of Safety
When we execute unsafe acts on the fireground we place ourselves and our crew in vulnerable positions. We are not talking about the valid risk one may take to rescue trapped occupants or the minor errors we make and immediately fix, but rather, the dangerous and preventable acts of recklessness we see daily. If these unsafe actions and behaviors are preventable, why do they still occur?
When we examine the “why” from a perspective of fireground safety, two note-
worthy reasons stand out. First, over time on the job, many of us build and accept an attitude reflective of increased complacency. We lose our edge. This mindset enables our situational awareness to be lessened, our decision-making to be weakened, and our level of safety to be diminished. Because we have been lucky and have not been trapped, injured, or injured someone else by our own errors, we begin to believe, “It will never happen to me.” Second, if this is the stance you adopt, it is obvious the department you belong to has taken a back seat to safety and condones the attitude. This fractured “culture of safety” and normalization of deviance originates from deep within the organization. It is a direct reflection of an absence of control, deficient training, nonexistent SOGs, poor leadership, and the failure to “fix” errors to prevent reoccurrence. A perfect example would be a fireground “close call” where a firefighter is injured and survives, and the department takes no action to investigate the cause or develop preventative measures to eliminate the source.
Prevention and Improvement
As we can see, human performance is an essential element of our personal well-being and safety. Here are some key practices that can lead you and your department toward improving performance, enhancing morale, increasing safety, reducing errors, and preventing injuries.
Physical Fitness: Firefighters are considered “industrial athletes” as opposed to an ordinary athlete that warms up and preps for a game well in advance. Firefighters do not have that time, so our bodies and minds must always be physically, as well as mentally prepared. Annual physicals and exercise regimens should be the norm.
Mental Acuity: Quick decision-making, situational awareness, and critical thinking
skills are needed at every incident a firefighter responds to, so it is vital that their mental state is always in a position of readiness.
Emotional Resilience: Due to the many stressors involved in the fire service it is important that members effectively manage stress and maintain motivation. Developing elevated levels of emotional intelligence for handling and preventing psychological burnout is critical.
Teamwork and Communication: Effective communication and teamwork are essential for coordinated efforts during emergencies. Regular drills and team-building activities will help improve these skills.
Error Prevention: Learning from past incidents and creating a culture of continuous improvement are also important. Developing, implementing, and training on SOPs/SOGs can help reduce and prevent mistakes on the fireground.
Continuous Training and Education:
An ongoing training and education program helps keep firefighters updated on the latest techniques, equipment, and safety protocols. Review past injury and fatality reports. Challenge your firefighters in training. Have them ready physically and emotionally for the next time they respond. It will be to everyone’s benefit!◆
About the Authors:
John Lewis joined the volunteer fire service in 1978 and began his career as a firefighter/EMT in 1985. He retired as a lieutenant with the City of Passaic (NJ) Fire Department, where he was assigned as officer in charge of the Training and Safety Division. Robert Moran recently retired as chief of the Brewster (MA) Fire Department. He previously served for 27 years with the City of Englewood (NJ) Fire Department, where he was chief of department, and he is a former chief of the Leonia (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department. Lewis and Moran operate Jersey Guys Firefighter Training (www.jerseyfireguys.com).
