Recent Blog Posts

When selecting personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters, a department or municipality needs to do more than find gear that satisfies the National Fire Protection Association’s safety standards. A complete risk assessment should be conducted to assure that the equipment isn’t just sufficiently safe but also appropriate for the specific situations faced by the men […]

As a firefighter, you earn the respect of the community you serve every day. People understand how dangerous and stressful it is to deal with raging fires, medical emergencies and other situations that are fraught with serious risks. However, only you and those closest to you can fully appreciate the range of stressors you face […]

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 […]