N.Y. State Chiefs 72 Conference Draws 7000 Attendance, Record Exhibits
FEATURES
—photos by Herbert J. Thomas.
Breathing apparatus in the United Kingdom, burn prevention and recovery, women in the fire service and the fire chief’s public image were just a few of the many subjects covered at the 1978 conference of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. This 72nd conference, which was held at the renowned Concord Hotel at Lake Kiamesha, N. Y., in June, drew a total of 7464 registrants. Exhibitors numbered 181 in 297 exhibit spaces that included 99 vehicle spaces. Two armory-sized, enclosed tennis courts were required to hold all the apparatus and equipment.
Keynote speaker, Fire Marshal (ret.) A. E. Anthony of Spearfish, S.D., noted that the fire service wants do not often reflect fire service needs. The true needs, which he elaborated on, can be limited to four and they are linked to the “attitudes of the personnel that make up the fire service.” Anthony’s four needs included “leadership,” “professionalism,” “enthusiasm” and “pride.” He stressed that these four needs be applied to the field of fire prevention which he considers the true job of a fire chief.
A fire chiefs public image and the groups he leads was the subject of speaker, Dr. John F. Cragan of Illinois State University. Among other points made by Cragan was that one of the pressing problems right now (for the chief) was fire education. “Everybody wants to educate your fire fighters, but you.” What this really means, Cragan stated, is that the chief really wants education for his men, but everybody wants to beat him to it.
In Illinois, according to Cragan, the chiefs have gotten around this by functioning as the accreditation body. Colleges can offer any kind of courses they want. But if chiefs don’t sanction the course and the teacher, “then no fire fighters are going to show up.”
Jo Carol Hamilton, chief of Hattieville, Ark., who spoke on “Women in the Fire Service,” explained why the fire service is considered a male role. She went on to tell why females are now entering this traditional male field.
Chief Hamilton started as a dispatcher in the formative years of her department and rose to her present rank. During her term she has completed the organization of her department, instituted a school-wide fire prevention campaign, and weekly training sessions for the fire department.
“Breathing Apparatus Procedures U.K. Style,” was covered by Retired Commandant Arthur E. Bowles, British Fire Service Staff College. In addition to these remarks, Bowles provided some interesting comments on the strike by British fire fighters.
Elected as the association’s officers were: Past Chief George E. McPeek, Bowmansville Fire Department, president; Chief Charles F. Houper, Corning, first vice president, and Dominick N. Froio, Mattydale, second vice president.
