The first quarter of 2009 has passed and we still have some major challanges to ensure the Suffolk County Volunteer Fire Service can maintain its dedicated and outstanding service to the communities we serve.

Legislation and mandates placed on the fire service are a major concern.  We are working with the other major organizations to address the Rope Bill requirements and are actively working with our legislators to get the CDL Bill passed to resolve the issue with operation of emergency vehicles.

 

Our new officers have been making their way around the county attending the various township chiefs council meetings.  If you would like them to attend a meeting please do not hesitate to call.  The officers are: 

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

At the Federal level there are only a couple of weeks left to get your applications in for a Fire Act Grant, so please file promptly.  Once again the Administration is looking to cut the Fire Grant program for 2010 by some 70%.  We will be contacting our legislators on ensuring the the funding remains at the same levels or higher.  There are also issues with the funding and administration of the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) Program that we will be addressing.  We will let you know when to contact your individual legislators on these and other federal issues.  Also on the Federal level, we were able to obtain a $285M grant from Congressmen Bishop & King to equip the clean room at the Stony Brook Burn Center.

At the State level we are working with FASNY, State Districts and our neighboring county organization to get the CDL passed before Memorial Day.  In regards to the Rope Bill requirements, every department should be assessing their distrcits and mutual aid programs to determine what their requiements will be.  The issues still exist with the NYSED funding of the Fire Academy and we will work with the FRES and VEEB Boards on obtaining the proper funding.  Funding for the Burn Center is another issue with the cuts to the State Budget.  We will work with the Burn Center Committee to ensure our burn center gets the proper funding.

At the county level we are working to ensure the E911 PSAP's will be funded properly for upgrades to software & equipment as well as training.  This requires a 30 cents surcharge on cell phones to make up for the lost revenue from the E911 surcharge on hard wired lines which has decreased dramatically with residents switching to Voice/IP lines from cable service.  Another county issue is the private community fire hydrant systems that don't seem to be maintained or tested on a regular basis.  The county is passing a law to require testing and maintenance of these systems, but a lot of questions still remain on who will test them, what the requirements are and how these systems will interface with the Suffolk County and other water districts.   The Suffolk County Water Authority gave an excellent presentation at our last meeting and they have made available to the fire departments the distribution systems for their areas.  If you want this information or want them to attend one of your meetings please contact  Stan Carey at 631-563-0239.

If you have any questions regarding legislation, please contact Ex-Chief Greg Anderson at 516-241-1985 or Ex-Chief Ron Barz at 631-979-0680.

 

All Departments!!!  Don't forget to ensure "ALL" our volunteers and their family members are registered voters.  The only way we get our voices heard is to let our legislators know what we need and that we are VOTING!!!
 

Our annual spring scholarship seminar on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 7:00PM at Brookhaven National Labs was a success, but we need better attendance if we are to maintain the levels of scholarships for the firefighter's families.  The training provide is interesting and valuable and the scholarships help a volunteer's son or daughter attend a college.  Please watch this page for our next seminar.

We give 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.

 

FIRE FIGHTER'S CANCER SUPPRT NETWORK: 

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

Protect yourself and your families!  Stony Brook University Urology Screening is providing free prostate screenings at the following locations: 24 Research Way, Setauket; Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center, Wyandanch and Brookhaven National Laoratory, Upton.  To make an appointment please call 1-800-862-2215.  Screenings are also available in Hampton bays at 225 W. Montauk Highway - call 631-723-5000 for an appointment and John T. Mather Hospital - call 631-474-6030 for an appointment.

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.