The NYSAFC held their Annual Training Conference July 17-20, 2022, at the Comfort Inn & Suites, East Greenbush, NY. It was an informative Conference with Training from the Four Chaplains Foundation, NYS Office of Mental Health, and Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control. The theme of the 2022 Conference was the “Four Chaplains”.

We had Chaplain Refresher Training, by Rev. Gary Holden, Senior Chaplain of the Four Chaplains Foundation did a day long presentation on “Introduction to being a Fire Chaplain”. We had Steven Moskowitz, MSW, NYS Office of Mental Health, with subjects on “Psychological First Aid – Responding to extreme stress”, a review of “NYS Project Hope”, and, “NYS Disasters & Mental Health Response”. Steven is the Director, Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

On Tuesday evening, we held our Annual Memorial Service at the Fuller Road Fire Dept. Firehouse in Colonie, followed by our Annual Dinner. The Conference theme was based on the Four Chaplains and how our Association of Fire Chaplains had their humble beginnings. Please go to our Association’s website of NYSAFC.org for more historical information on the Four Chaplains. Also, please visit the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation website at fourchaplains.org, to read on how the Four Chaplains legacy is continued every day.

We concluded our Conference with training on “Cancer in the NYS Fire Service”, by Fire Protection Specialist Timothy Graves, DHSES, Office of Fire Prevention & Control.

If you do not have a Chaplain within your Fire Dept. and would like to establish one, please contact myself and my email address is on the website of nysafc.org OR Executive Secretary William Miles!

Interested at joining the Association? Please contact myself or Executive Secretary William Miles at: nysafc@gmail.com

Submitted by Chief Chaplain Thomas With   

 

 

 Group photo after Annual Dinner of attending Chaplains and their Spouses.

 

 

 

 

 Chief Chaplain Thomas With and Father Donald Rutherford, Major General (Chief Chaplain) Retired, of the US Army Chaplains, at Memorial Service table.

 

Identical Plaques presented to Four Chaplains Foundation Chaplain Rev. Gary Holden and to Senior Minister Lynn C. Bodden, 1^st Reformed Church of Schenectady, NY.

 

2022-2024 Association Officers: (LtoR) Treasurer David Quinn (Stuyvesant NY), 2nd Dep. Chief Chaplain Joseph McCarthy (Southold NY), Chief Chaplain Thomas With (Colonie NY), 1^st Dep. Chief Chaplain Richard Bolster (Malone NY), and, Executive Secretary William Miles (Tonawanda NY).

 

 

Sunday Evening June 12th, the NYSAFC was well represented at the Firematic Service of Suffolk County ExChief Edward Tully Jr.

Pictured from left to right are Chaplains Bruce Daley, Michael Barry, Frank Trotta, Thomas Flud, 2nd Deputy Chief Chaplain Joe McCarthy, and Chuck Brady. Thanks to the Long Island Chaplains for traveling and representing.

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On Wednesday, 5/11/22, one of the most significant events in the Fire Service occurred on Long Island. Our Brother Chaplain Frank C. Trotta Jr., Proprietor of the #1 Fire Publication in the USA, FIRE NEWS, created, sponsored, and funded, an incredibly important event. Five Major Firefighter and LODD Firefighter Family Support Organizations (Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Foundation, The Ray Pfeifer Foundation, Firefighter Cancer Support Network – NY Chapter, and FealGood Foundation) were recognized, honored, and granted $10,000 checks to aid and assist their chosen Missions. This $50,000 granting of funds was accumulated by FIRE NEWS specifically from their 9/11 Edition, which is surely a keepsake.

The NYSAFC Members participating in this event were the Facilitator and owner of FIRE NEWS, Frank Trotta Jr., Chaplain and Chief of the Nassau County Fire Police Association Bill Gruener, Reverend Doctor and Brother Chaplain John Fleischman, and NYSAFC 2nd Deputy Chief Chaplain Joe McCarthy.

Chaplain Gruener offered a Prayer, Chaplain McCarthy offered the Invocation, and Chaplain Fleischman offered the Benediction, while Chaplain Frank Trotta Coordinated, Funded, and Celebrated the entire event. Thanks also to the South Country Ambulance Company for hosting this important event.

May the Good Lord Bless all of us in Fire and EMS, and all Supporting Organizations, especially our Fire Chaplains.

[Pictured, left to right, are: FDNY Member, FDNY Rescue 1 William Ryan, FDNY Chief (Ret.) Joe DiBernardo Sr., and FDNY Rescue 3 Lt. (Ret.) Gerard Murtha]

(Pictured is FDNY Chief of Department (Ret.) Chief Thomas Richardson