Thousands of Emergency Services Personnel Meet in Lake George for NYS Fire Chiefs’ Conference & Expo

EAST SCHODACK, NY (06/11/2008)(readMedia)-- Thousands of fire and emergency services personnel from across New York state and the Northeast will gather in Lake George, N.Y. from June 12-14, 2008 for FIRE 2008 (Fire Industry, Rescue, & EMS Expo), the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs 102nd Annual Conference & Expo. This is the third consecutive year that this event, one of the largest fire service conferences and trade shows in the nation, will be held in Lake George. Over 15,000 attendees and visitors are expected to converge in the Adirondacks for FIRE 2008, which will feature exhibits, educational programs, and hands-on training activities held at sites in Warren County.

EXHIBITS – Over 280 companies from across the United States and Canada will be exhibiting at FIRE 2008, displaying fire, rescue, and emergency medical services (EMS) apparatus, tools, equipment, and services available to purchase or order. The wide array of industry displays will include fire trucks, ambulances, public safety equipment, the latest firefighting technologies, educational products, and much more. The exhibit area is located on Beach Road across from the Million Dollar Beach. Exhibit hours are Thursday, June 12: 12:30 – 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 13: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 14: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. A One Day Ticket for entrance to the exhibits can be purchased for $5.00 at the main gate during exhibit hours. Kids 15 and under can enter the exhibits for free.

HANDS-ON TRAINING – Students registered to participate in the intense Hands-On Training Program will operate in full protective equipment and learn in a realistic fireground environment. Some evolutions will include live fire training led by some of the nation’s leading fire service instructors. The Hands-On Training Program will be conducted at the site of the former Howard Johnson Hotel, just off of Exit 19 of I-87, on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Various training drills will be conducted simultaneously throughout both days. For safety, the training site is closed to the public.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS – FIRE 2008 will feature education programs presented by nationally renowned emergency services leaders from many major metropolitan fire departments including New York City, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, and Chicago. A Conference Full Term Registration pass is required to attend these programs. For a complete list of Education Program speakers and schedule visit www.nysfirechiefs.com. Education Programs will be held at The Sagamore Hotel Conference Center at designated times from June 12-14, 2008. On Saturday, June 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Conference Full Term attendees will have a unique opportunity to interact with some of the nation’s most respected fire service leaders during the “Education Program Roundtable Discussion,” an informal question and answer session, where they will discuss some of the hottest topics in the fire service today. This year’s panel will feature: Retired Chief Alan Brunacini – Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, Battalion Chief Steve Chikerotis – Chicago (IL) Fire Department, Chief Richard Marinucci – Farmington Hills (MI) Fire Department, Deputy Assistant Chief (Retired) John Norman – Fire Department City of New York (FDNY), Chief Dennis Rubin – Washington, D.C. Fire & EMS, and Battalion Chief John Salka – Fire Department City of New York (FDNY). The “Roundtable Discussion” will take place at The Sagamore Hotel Conference Center in the Nirvana Room.

MEMORIAL SERVICE – On Thursday, June 12, at 6:00 p.m. the association will hold its annual Memorial Service to honor firefighters lost in the line of duty over the last year and deceased association members at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Summer Chapel in Lake George, N.Y.

###