City of Cortland Fire Department Participates in 119th Annual NYS Fire Chiefs Association Conference in Syracuse

Members of the City of Cortland Fire Department participated in the 119th annual New York State Fire Chiefs Association Conference in Syracuse that was held during the first week of June. The conference was held at the On-Center and War Memorial in Downtown Syracuse with over 4,000 attendees. Those who attended participated in training, education, and reviewing of new equipment and technology that fire service vendors provide, Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman says.

Chief Friedman added there was also hands-on training at the Syracuse Fire Department’s training facility. Here is where firefighters learned from seasoned instructors regarding fire suppression, vehicle extrication, ventilation and search and rescue operations. The conference also hosted numerous nationally recognized speakers on a variety of topics in seminars of leadership, safety, fire ground suppression techniques and officer development.

“During the conference, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs conducts its annual business meeting and memorial service. At this time several awards and scholarships are given out including Fire Chief of the year, Instructor of the Year and various scholarships going to high school students planning on continuing their education in relation to fire and emergency services. The memorial service recognizes association members who have passed away in the last year. It is a somber tribute to the 35 members that have died and acknowledgement of their countless hours of sacrifice to their communities all over New York State.”

Chief Friedman said in a release.

During this conference, Cortland Fire continued their important role by providing apparatus and equipment to assist in training. Deputy Chief Derek Reynold and Battalion Chief Dustin Contri were two of the instructors selected to pass on their own knowledge and experiences to new firefighters during hands-on training. Chief Friedman was also sworn for a second term on the State Chief’s Board of Directors. The board consists of fire chiefs throughout the state who coordinate and manage activities of the association and also to promote the mission of providing relevant education, seminars, and training for state fire service as well as assist in representing and supporting numerous initiatives, Cortland Fire added. Those initiatives include safety and technology that affects residents within the state.

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is a not-for-profit that was founded back in 109 by 60 fire chiefs throughout the state. The association is now one of the largest fire chiefs associations in the world and encompasses the needs and concerns of all emergency services. You can learn more about the organization at NYSFireChiefs.com.