Plan To Open Your Doors April 23 and 24 Plan To Open Your Doors April 23 and 24

56 Pages·2016·6.87 MB·English

January/February 2016
vol. 68 issue 4
Plan To Open Your Doors
April 23 and 24
Enter to Win the Ultimate Recruitment Tool Kit
Also InsIde:
FAsnY sets 2015-16 legislative Agenda
Traumatic Brain Injuries:
Risks, Treatment and Prevention
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2 The Volunteer Firefighter www.fasny.com
CONTENTS
January/February 2016
Features
15 Are We SAFER Than We Were Before?
By John S. D’Alessandro

16 Traumatic Brain Injuries:
Risks, Treatment and Prevention
By Alexander Peter Ruckh
18 How a Central New York Boy Battling Rare
Cancer Gained 150 Brothers and Sisters
By Sarah Moses
10
Cover Story 20 Recruit Volunteers to Your Department with
Help from the ‘Make Me A Firefighter’ Campaign
By Kevin D. Quinn
Get Ready for RecruitNY 2016 and Be
26 Firefighters Put Their Stamp on the World
Prepared to Recruit Year Round
By Tom Fortunato
By Frank A. Hutton
29 Moving Forward – 2016
By Bryant D. Stevens
34 Our Home in Hudson
By David F. Schmidt
FASNY Sets 2015-16
Legislative Agenda 38 Follow Me, Men!
By Charles Angione
By John S. D’Alessandro
12
40 Training and Education
By Jessica Kirk
41 Why Am I a Volunteer?
By David Krzeminski
FASNY Museum of
Firefighting:
Columns
An Award, Grants,
Donations and the
5 President’s Message
Return of the Winter
Scavenger Hunt! 22 6 50- and 100-Year Certificates
By Jamie Smith Quinn
7 The Rekindled Spirit
8 Drill Team
52 New Members
Five Generations
Regionals
Lead a Hamlet
in Onondaga
30 By Gordy Kotars 44 LAFASNY
46 Sectionals
www.fasny.com The Volunteer Firefighter 3
Come Meet FASNY
on Long Island
On February 20 and 21, the 2016 Long
Island Fire, Rescue and EMS Mega Show January/February 2016
vol. 68 issue 4
will make its debut at a new location, FASNY Offices
the Brentwood Campus of Suffolk 107 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
phone (800) 2FASNY2
County Community College. FASNY
[phone]
representatives, including myself, will be fax [phone]
manning a booth and ready to answer www.fasny.com
[email protected]
questions, enroll new members and
meet the volunteers we serve. If you are Senior Editor
in the area, please make sure to stop by Shane M. Liebler
and say hello to us.
Media Communications Committee
Kenneth Pienkowski, Chairman
As of December 28, FASNY membership
Print Project Manager
stands at 43,555, an increase of 1,549
Edward Tase, Jr.
since October 31.
Webmaster
Harrison Breuer Brian F. McQueen
F 107 Member Outreach Coordinator Members
rom Michael R. Caron
John S. D’Alessandro
Steven E. Klein
David A. Quinn
FASNY President
Robert N. McConville
www.fasny.com
•
Editorial deadline is the 5th of the
month preceding each issue
•
For advertising requests contact
Trisha Stethers at [phone]
or visit www.thevolunteerfirefighter.com
•
Address all editorial content to:
The Volunteer Firefighter™
ABC Creative Group
430 East Genesee Street, Suite 401
Syracuse, NY 13202
phone [phone]
fax [phone]
[email protected]
•
For address changes or FASNY
membership questions, please call (800) 2FASNY2
Published by
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The Volunteer Firefighter™ ISSN 1534-9535 is published bi-monthly by the Firemen’s
Association of the State of New York, 107 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York
12210. Periodicals postage is paid at Albany, NY, and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send all address changes to: FASNY, 107 Washington Avenue, Albany,
NY 12210.
The Volunteer Firefighter™ is the official journal of the Firemen’s Association
of the State of New York, a not for profit organization, and carries news and
announcements concerning FASNY. Subscription rate is $20 annually. FASNY
members receive this magazine as part of their dues. FASNY is not responsible for
contents or opinions other than Association activities. Entire contents are ©2016
Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, all rights reserved and, as such, may
not be reproduced in part or in whole without written permission of the publishers.
FASNY reserves the right to print portions or all of any correspondence received by
the editors without liability on its part and no such correspondence will be returned
without prior agreement.
Home delivery of The Volunteer Firefighter™ is one of the many benefits of FASNY
membership.
4 The Volunteer Firefighter www.fasny.com
President’s Message
Steven E. Klein – Second Vice President
As I begin my report to the membership, it is only a few days The Governor also recently signed the weight restriction bill
after our annual FASNY Legislative Conference. Almost 250 FAS- and the bill to amend the LOSAP, which allows municipal em-
NY members met – first in sectional caucuses, then as one body ployees to earn credits when responding while at work. All in all,
– to determine the legislative issues the Association will ask our this was a very successful year for our legislative issues.
elected officials to support this year.
In September, I represented the Association at the International
The conference also provided an opportunity to recognize one Codes Council (ICC) meeting in California. Past President Jo-
of those elected officials who has worked to enact legislation in seph A. Finnegan was awarded the ICC “Fire Service Member of
support of the fire service. State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther the Year Award.” At our legislative conference, I was privileged to
was awarded FASNY’S Golden Trumpet Award for her work on present an award from FASNY to Joe in recognition of his accom-
fire service issues (see p. 14). A registered nurse, Assemblywoman plishments. This is the second time in three years that a FASNY
Gunther is now leading the charge to secure enhanced cancer delegate to the ICC received an award. Joseph F. Sauerwein was
coverage for New York’s volunteer firefighters, a benefit already recognized in 2013.
afforded to our career brothers and sisters.
Now that the new year has begun, it is time to register for the
If you attended the legislative conference, you heard me express firefighter games. The event will be held on the weekend of Feb-
my frustration on the lack of movement of our issues that were ruary 5-7, 2016. Also remember to submit your nominations for
approved by both sides of state government. I was, however, re- FASNY’s awards (see p. 9). The applications for all awards can
cently made aware of some facts pertaining to our legislative ef- be found on the FASNY website and all applications must be re-
forts that I want to share with you. turned to the FASNY office by March 15. It is also time to com-
plete your plans for RecruitNY 2016. This year, there is a contest
As you know, FASNY uses a program called Capwiz to provide
for those who register before February 15 (see p. 11 for details).
support for our legislation. In terms of the recently passed smoke
alarm bill, these numbers were driven by our Capwiz outreach. Finally, the 34th annual Cosmo Strigaro Softball Tournament
There were 18,593 emails sent requesting members to take action. will be held August 5-7. In the past, this was a major event at the
Of those sent, 18,335 emails were delivered. Only 4,796 of you FASNY Firemen’s Home. Due to some glitches, the event did not
opened the email, and, of that number, 415 clicked the link to take place last year. Please help us to continue this great tradition
send a letter. Remarkably, only 289 letters were actually generated by signing up your department’s team.
requesting the Governor to sign the legislation: 289 out of 18,335
I hope you had a great holiday season, and I pray that you and
requests. If there is legislation we support that doesn’t get the re-
those closest to you enjoy a safe, healthy and prosperous new year.
sults we hoped for and you want to point the blame at someone,
Stay safe!
you should be pointing at yourself in a mirror.
You need to support FASNY’s legislation. You are the voice of
FASNY when you contact your elected officials. You can sign up
for the Capwiz program through a link on the FASNY website.
Since the legislative conference, the Governor has signed the bill
that requires all volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to wear Steve Klein
seatbelts while operating emergency vehicles.
SAVE THE DATE: AuguST 10 - 13, 2016
144TH AnnuAl FASnY COnVEnTiOn
Desmond Hotel and Convention Center, Albany, N.Y.
• Hands-on training • Training forums • Special events
Look for schedule updates and registration information at www.fasny.com
www.fasny.com The Volunteer Firefighter 5
F 50-Y C r
ireFighter ear ertiFiCate eCipients
Presented during the month of Greene County Edward Esposito 66 years Hicksville Fire Department
November, 2015 Catskill Fire Company John F. Esposito 50 years Independent Engine & Hose Co. 2
John Darling, Jr. 50 years Presented during the month of Joseph Giardina 50 years
Albany County
Hicksville Volunteer Engine &
Jefferson County October, 2015
Shaker Road-Loudonville Fire
Hose Co. No. 4
Department, Inc. Dexter Volunteer Fire Department Albany County
Richard Humann 50 years
George C. Burton 50 years Robert Savage 61 years Fuller Road Fire Department, Inc.
Robert Van Brocklin 60 years suffolk County
Broome County Daniel Anderson 50 years
Reliable Hose & Engine Company
orange County Clifford Carignan 50 years
Vestal Fire Department
No. 1
Carle Truman 58 years Middletown Fire Department Donald Kirk 50 years
Francis Davis 50 years
Ronald Linfoot, Sr. 54 years Walter F. Blampied 52 years S. W. Pitts Hose Company, Inc.
Riverhead Fire Department
Andrew Nazak, Jr. 54 years Storm King Engine Company Morris Fowler 50 years
Conrad Dabrowski 50 years
Edward Zimmer 53 years No. 2 West Albany Volunteer Fire
Eugene Wagner 52 years Carroll F. Cocks 50 years Company No. 1 Washington County
Paul Gregson 51 years Louis Kurtzner 50 years Easton Fire Department
Rensselaer County
Robert Nasiatka 51 years Joseph Gillis 50 years
Best-Luther Volunteer Fire Columbia County
dutchess County Department Stuyvesant Volunteer Fire Wayne County
Lewis Tompkins Hose Company Gordon Middleton 61 years Company No. 1 Macedon Center Fire Department
No. 1 Dale Berlin 50 years Kenneth G. Hammond 50 years
saint lawrence County
Robert Urbanak 50 years Louisville Fire Department dutchess County Westchester County
Slater Chemical Fire Company,
Kenneth Blair 50 years Roosevelt Engine Company No. 3 Ossining Independent Hose
Inc.
Edward Desmond 50 years Company No. 6
sullivan County
Martin Katz 50 years
Robert Connolly 50 years
Donald L. Robinson 50 years Wurtsboro Fire Company No. 1 nassau County
James W. Handford 50 years Glenwood Hook & Ladder, Engine
essex County
Westchester County & Hose Company
Port Henry Fire Department
John Matthews 55 years
John F. Waldron 66 years Centennial Hose Company No. 4
William R. Schmidt 50 years
John E. Sweet 57 years Ralph Nardone 68 years
Lester P. Daby 55 years George Strumke 68 years
F D 100-Y C
ire epartment ear ertiFiCates
Presented during the month of November, 2015
Westchester County
Mamaro Engine & Hose Company No. 1 125 years
FASNY awards certificates to volunteer firefighters who have achieved 50 years in the volunteer fire service and also commemorates volunteer fire departments with 100
or more years of service to their communities. The certificates are issued by the FASNY office and can be presented by a FASNY official upon request. There is no cost of
any kind to the department or to the recipient.
The Volunteer Firefighter will run photos of 50-year presentations in the regional or 50- and 100-year columns, space and quality of photo permitting. Please submit photos
to [email protected] within five days of the month the award is presented as the names must remain consistent with those listed in the current 50- and 100-year column.
Stay connected!
Give us your email address to get exclusive updates, get involved in
important FASNy legislative initiatives and get a monthly e-newsletter just
for volunteer firefighters.
Get the most from FASNy. Send your email address to [email protected]
now and get connected!
6 The Volunteer Firefighter www.fasny.com
The Rekindled Spirit
By the Rev. Canon Samuel P. Lundy
The Times They Be A-Changin’
About 1963, Bob Dylan adapted a much older Scottish/ Therein may be a problem. The average well-meaning lay-
Irish air into the very familiar ballad, “The Times They Be chaplain may effectively offer a brief prayer at a service. But,
A-Changin’.” It became an anthem of the civil rights movement the responsibility to plan, execute and officiate a total service
and, later, the Vietnam War protests. I remember it well. I was may be daunting.
changing too, from “right-shoulder arms” to “left-shoulder
Do what the fire service always does when we are overpowered
arms”!
by an event. Call for “mutual aid”! Scattered among the effective
Antony, one of the Christian writers of the Desert and faithful lay-chaplains are professional ordained clergy who
Fathers movement of the early fourth century wrote, “All is are chaplains.
impermanent; nothing lasts.” We are very fortunate the fire
We are organized here in this state as the New York State
service has embraced that attitude wholeheartedly. What
Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc. There is somebody waiting
is state-of-the-art today is passé tomorrow. All is for the
to help you; not to take control away from the local folks, but
betterment of our people and the communities we serve.
to assist with planning and delivery of a service that the home
The fire chaplaincy is not exempt from cultural shifts. Fifty department can offer a family with pride. We can take the lead
years ago, an acceptable final tribute to a former comrade if that is required.
was a walk-through of department members at visitation or
In the North Country, several members of our group are
the obligatory “broken-ladder” floral piece at a funeral. Fire
deputy fire coordinators for chaplain services, lights and siren
apparatus in a funeral procession was rare, particularly in rural
equipped, ready to respond to wherever we are needed.
areas.
We train and pre-plan for all eventualities within the fire
Today, a departmental service, or “fireman’s funeral,” is
service. Why would we not plan for funeral and memorial
de rigueur for almost our entire breed. It may be annexed to
services?
the traditional funeral service, or increasingly, it may be the
only service offered.
SAVE E DATE
H
T
GolF TouRnAmenT BeneFITInG
nATIonAl And neW YoRk sTATe
FAllen FIReFIGhTeRs oRGAnIzATIons
Friday, August 12, 2016
Fairways at halfmoon
Shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. | registration and light breakfast at 9:00 a.m.
details to come at www.fasny.com
www.fasny.com The Volunteer Firefighter 7
D t
rill eam
How to Recruit, Retain and Train the Next Generation of Firefighters
By Richard Chudy
In 2016, each and every volunteer fire department in New Drill teams are a vital component of the departments they
York State will be faced with all of the same issues: recruitment, serve with the specific purpose of providing the opportunity
retention and training. to hone basic firefighting proficiencies; develop and foster
teamwork; build character; teach commitment and discipline;
Recruitment
promote physical fitness and conditioning; and attract and
Our next generation of volunteer firefighters will be a unique
retain individuals in the volunteer fire service.
group of individuals. This generation was brought up with the
mindset that they can do anything anywhere in the world; and These purposes are achieved through firematic competition,
it may only be a click away. More and more options of things which complements the fire department’s primary function of
that they can do with their lives are presented to our youth. Is emergency response to fires, medical emergencies and other
being a volunteer firefighter one of them? calamities. Drill teams consequently instill their members with
a lifelong commitment to serving their community as highly
Retention
skilled volunteer firefighters.
Once we have our next generation of firefighters, how are we
going to retain them? What can we do to keep them involved We are not only seeking full teams, but also individuals
in our organizations? The next generation of firefighters will be that would like to get involved in our organization. If you’re
loyal, but will definitely require special attention. interested in learning more and seeing how you individually
can get involved, contact us at www.nysdrillteams.com. We
Training
are committed to growing the fire service and providing a
What can we do to make sure our firefighters are proficient
necessary support tool to your fire department.
and physically fit to do their job?
Photos courtesy of Mike Heller
8 The Volunteer Firefighter www.fasny.com
FASNY AwArd ApplicAtioNS
Are due MArch 15
Help FASNY recognize the best firefighters, EMS providers, Youth grouP oF the Year
youth groups, teachers, educators and community service
This award recognizes the youth fire organization that best
volunteers in the fire service with these annual awards.
embodies a dedication to both fire and community service.
Applications are due March 15, 2016. Visit www.fasny.com for
applications and information. Fire Service coMMunitY achieveMent award
Volunteer firefighters have the courage to face danger and the
FireFighter oF the Year heart to help out in their communities. On the fireground or
around town, so many continue to give and sacrifice beyond
Honor your outstanding volunteers with a nomination for this
the fire service every day. FASNY honors an active volunteer
award, which recognizes the bravest FASNY members who
firefighter who is also active with one or more community
exemplify what the fire service and protecting our communities
service organizations with this award.
is all about.
All fire departments, companies, sectional and county
teacher oF the Year
organizations are encouraged to submit an application.
FASNY invites communities and schools across the state to
Sponsored by: honor their best fire prevention educators. The Fire Prevention
and Life Safety Committee recognizes a teacher with dedication
to fire prevention and the safety of students and their families.
Sponsored by:
eMS Provider oF the Year

Honor your outstanding volunteers with a nomination for
Fire SaFetY educator oF the Year
this award, designated for emergency medical personnel who
FASNY invites departments and organizations across the state
provide exemplary service.
to honor their best fire safety advocates. The Fire Prevention and
All EMS units across the state are encouraged to submit an Life Safety Committee recognizes an educator with dedication
application. to fire prevention and the safety in his or her community.
Sponsored by: Sponsored by:
Visit www.fasny.com for applications and information.
www.fasny.com The Volunteer Firefighter 9
Get Ready for RecruitNY 2016 and Be Prepared
to Recruit Year Round
By Frank A. Hutton, FASNY Recruitment and Retention Committee Vice Chair
The new year is here, which means it’s time to start planning Let’s say your fire department is small and it has 15 active
for RecruitNY 2016, April 23 and 24. Last year was a good one members. With all of the workload, you can burn out those
for RecruitNY as we had over 500 departments participate in 15 active members fairly quickly. But, if each recruited one
the program for one or both days. The FASNY Recruitment new member, the workload and threat of burnout would drop
and Retention Committee wants to ensure another successful dramatically.
weekend in 2016.
The best resource you have for recruitment is you. By talking
To recruit new personnel into the fire service, we need to your friends and neighbors, the excitement and enthusiasm
to educate three different groups of people. The first is the in our voice can tell all.
firefighters themselves.
Second, the politicians need to know that we need their help
When I go out and present seminars to other firefighters in recruiting new personnel for the fire and EMS services that
about the problem of recruiting new members, I ask them save their constituents millions of dollars a year.
one question before I start: “If each and every one of you who
They can help us when they talk to the public or when
are here recruited one person, would we have a manpower
making policy. For example, maybe your local board can give a
problem?”
discount or free passes to the town pool to volunteers and their
families.
10 The Volunteer Firefighter www.fasny.com