Thousands of Fire Service Leaders Gather in Oneida County for Fire Chiefs' Conference & Expo

EAST SCHODACK, NY (06/08/2009)(readMedia)-- Thousands of fire and emergency services personnel from across New York state and throughout the Northeast will gather at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y. from June 10-13, 2009 for FIRE 2009 (Fire Industry, Rescue, & EMS Expo), the 103rd Annual Conference & Expo of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC).

Over 15,000 attendees and visitors, some traveling from as far away as Canada, are expected to converge in Oneida County for the event, which will feature exhibits, educational programs, and hands-on training activities. The expo moves to the Turning Stone for the first time after being held in Lake George, N.Y. for three consecutive years. Previously, the conference and expo was held at the Empire Expo Center in Syracuse for eight years and at The Concord Hotel in the Catskills for 32 years.

"The association and its members are very excited about FIRE 2009 coming to the Turning Stone and Oneida County. And as a member of Oneida County's fire service, I know that the local fire departments are very excited about the convention coming to our community," said NYSAFC President William K. Owen, past chief of the Stittville Fire Department.

EXHIBITS – Nearly 300 companies from across the United States and Canada will be exhibiting at FIRE 2009, 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. Exhibit hours are Thursday, June 11: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 12: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 13: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. A One Day Ticket for entrance to the exhibits can be purchased for $5.00 on-site 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 on Oneida Nation lands at the site of the former U.S. Air Force installation in Verona, N.Y. on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 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 2009 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 Ottawa (Canada). NYSAFC expanded the Conference education program for FIRE 2009, adding one full day (Wednesday) for workshops only. A Conference Full Term Registration pass is required to attend these programs.

Visit www.nysfirechiefs.com for complete event information.

PRESS PASSES – Press Passes for FIRE 2009 can be obtained at the registration area located at the main entrance to the Turning Stone Event Center. Present valid media credentials and sign-in to obtain a FIRE 2009 Press Pass. For safety, the Hands-On Training Program site is closed to the public.

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