Firefighters

Volunteer fire departments perform enormously important work in many parts of New York State, but the men and women who serve in these units face significant dangers and concerns. Since 1872, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York has helped to educate and train volunteers and has advocated for them in multiple capacities. […]

Many engine companies within the FDNY will be operating with fewer firefighters now that New York City has invoked a contract clause reducing crews from five to four people. Though the trucks can be manned by four firefighters, the affected engine companies used the fifth as a “wild card” to increase safety for both colleagues […]

The popular pastime known as the escape room has triggered serious safety concerns, leading the FDNY to shut down several outlets throughout the city. These attractions give visitors the sensation of being trapped in a locked space from which they must escape using their own wits. However, inspectors have found that the danger in some […]

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, cancer caused more than half of firefighter line-of-duty deaths over a 15-year period. Various conditions associated with the job lead to cancer of the lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal system. These issues can be tough to face and finding trustworthy information can be a serious challenge. Fortunately, a […]

Residential property owners looking to sell their homes and landlords must make sure that their smoke detection systems comply with a new state law that takes effect April 1, 2019. Smoke alarms now must run either on 10-year sealed batteries or be hardwired to the home. This measure was actually passed in 2015, but New […]

Ambulances are empty and response times have increased as New York City’s fire department deals with a serious shortfall in its emergency medical technician force. Many factors have contributed to this dangerous situation. Long hours, high-intensity work and the possibility of serious injuries can discourage people from taking or remaining in these important jobs. Making […]

Mortality is never a comfortable topic for discussion, but firefighters need to confront it, because they face the risk of dying every time they answer an alarm. If you’re a firefighter, it’s important to ask yourself what would become of your loved ones if you were suddenly gone. You might say, “That’s what I’ve got […]

Firefighters face danger every time they answer a call, and while their gear provides certain protections, exposed areas of skin remain at risk. Cancer-causing particulates from smoke and soot can enter the uncovered areas of a firefighter’s nose, mouth, eyes, or pores. That’s why the socklike garments known as hoods, which cover the exposed skin […]

As 2018 draws to a close, there is rare good news regarding taxation, as reported in Fortune magazine: according to research from Morgan Stanley, taxpayers can expect refunds to be up 26 percent over last year. Of course, to minimize your tax bill without getting a threatening letter from the IRS, it’s important to be […]

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association of New York City, or UFOA, recently partnered with digital health firm Qardio and Mount Sinai Health in a program to help firefighters monitor their blood pressure levels without having to take time off from their jobs. The partnership follows a nine-month hypertension pilot involving select firefighters who were monitored […]