Another year as passed and as we approach 2009 we will have some major challanges to ensure the Suffolk County Volunteer Fire Service can maintain its dedicated and outstanding service to the communities we serve.

We thank those members and departments who have worked hard in helping us accomplish our goals in 2008.  We, the Volunteer Fire Service of not only Suffolk County, but our neighboring counties of Nassau, Westchester and other NYS areas will continue to serve our communities with dedication and professionalism.

 

Our new officers were elected at our annual Installation and Award Brunch held at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point on Sunday, November 16, 2008.  Our new President, Scott Thebold was sworn in by Congressman Tim Bishop and the remaining officers were sworn in by FRES Commisioner Joe Williams.  The new officers of the association are:

President Scott Thebold Middle Island FD
1st VP Anthony LaFerrera North Babylon FD
2nd VP John Carney Brentwood FD

LONG ISLAND FIRE SERVICE LEGISLATION FORUM:
On Saturday, December 6, 2008 our 2nd Annual Legislative Forum was held at the East Farmingdale FD headquarters.  Our  U.S. Representatives Peter King, Tim Bishop, Steve Israel and Carolyn McCarthy's Chief of Staff attended are pledged their continued support for the fire service.  In addition, New York State Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick and County Legislator John Kennedy were there to show their support for the fire service.  We thank the representation from all the major fire service organizations of Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester counties who attended and gave support to  these legislators who have supported us over the years.

The Congressional Fire Service Institutue (CFSI) Forum in Washington DC will be on April 2&3, 2009.  We had approximately 150 fire service attendees from Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Monroe and various other counties in the state last year and would like to improve on that this year.  We will meet with all our U.S. Representatives and various other state representatives in one of the legislative buildings to better coordinate and improve access to the legislative staff members who are the subject matter experts for our fire service concerns.  We will also make it more available for the individual legislators to arrange time to speak to us and for photo ops. We will again try to meet with the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Codes Council.  We have been  very successful in getting support for the major issues affecting the fire service and we want to improve on those successes.  Be sure and attend our next meeting to learn how you can help in our efforts.
If you are interested in attending this Forum next year, please contact Ex-Chief Ron Barz at 631-979-0680, Ex-Chief Greg Anderson at 516-241-1985, Ex-Chief Bob Holley at 732-617-1080 or Ex-Chief John Urevich at 631-484-9509.

 

SCHOLARSHIP SEMINAR:

Once again we will be holding our annual scholarship seminar.  Please keep checking this web site for date, time and location.  We will again be giving out three scholarships.  Two(2) to graduating high school seniors and one(1) to an active volunteer firefighter or EMS member.  The scholarship applications can be downloaded from this web site under the Registration Forms link.  If you need an application or have any questions, please contact Chief Anthony LaFerrera at 631-484-7917 or Chief Greg Anderson at 516-241-1985.

  

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Please see the "Articles" page for depts looking for equipment.
If you have spare equipment that you are looking to get rid of or are in need of equipment, please contact Craig Zitek, 631 831-8842, to put it on our web page.

The REGISTRATION FORMS page has the proper proceedure for notifying the Burn Center of a burned firefighter. Please make sure you know the procedure!

FIREMATIC SERVICES: If you have an ex-chief pass away. Please contact a member of the executive board(DIRECTORY page)as soon as possible, so that we may have a representative attend the service. INFO NEEDED: Date, Time, Location of Firematic service; Proper spelling of Departed Chief's Name; and Religious affilliation.

 

A new network service is available to support those firfighters and their families that have been diagnosed with any type of cancer.  The website is www.firefightercancersupport.org.  You can also contact the NY Regional Director Shawn Owenburg at 631-484-7598 or 631-780-6823.  His email is sowenburg@fcsn.net

We need all Chiefs to attend their local Chiefs Council meetings and the County Chiefs meeting in order to remain current with the issues affecting the Fire Service.

We would also like to welcome any Chiefs that may have been recently elected, please check the schedules for both the County and Township Chiefs Councils meetings and try to attend. Remember the Associations and Councils are only as good as the input and participation they receive from its members.

All Departments!!! Don't forget to check the "Voter Registration" Form under Registration Forms Link. We need to ensure "ALL" our volunteers and their family members are registered voters.