Latest News
Too Much” Training Is Not a Barrier to Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
Joe Maruca, Brittany Hollerbach, Ken Willette WE HEAR IT at all volunteer fire and EMS service gatherings: “We can’t recruit new volunteers because there is too much training.” We have plenty
Were You Aware: Cybersecurity Requirements for Fire Districts
**Where you aware? The Law for NYS Fire Districts Under New York State law (Article 19-c of the General Municipal Law), fire districts are legally classified as “municipal corporations”. This
Fire District Election Process Schedule for 2026
Fire District Election Schedule for 2026 October 8th, 2026 Last day to adopt resolution permitting absentee ballots at the Annual Election. Absentee ballots are optional for fire districts. If previously
Fire District Budget Process Schedule for 2026
**FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET PROCESS SCHEDULE 2026 On or before September 29th Adopt proposed budget for 2027, including fund balance estimate for end of 2026 File proposed budget with District Sectary
Final Legislative ScoreCard and Bill Summary
When you review the summary of the legislation that is related to the volunteer fire service in the state, it will become clear that the majority legislators in the senate
Cancer Coverage Options Available to all Members from VFIS
Duston Hall, Amsure Insurance I wanted to follow up on a topic that came up during the CAFDA “Ask the Expert Panel” at the annual conference in Lake George, regarding
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT Reprinted from AFDSNY Fire District Affairs EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fire districts and departments in New York must navigate complex legal requirements when
CAFDA Legislative ScoreCard
Tap on this Link to open the May 1st 2026 edition of the Legislative ScoreCard. May 1 ScoreCard
Supporting First Responders: Governor Hochul Announces Expansion of New York’s Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend
NYS has officially expanded the NYS stipend program to include additional courses. This eligibility is backdated to the original rollout of the program (August 31, 2023)—meaning that if you took
The Greatest Threat Facing the Volunteer Fire Service is Math, Not Recruitment (this is a must-read article)
by Mark Lambert KEY TAKEAWAYS Volunteer fire departments have seen a 25% decline in membership since 1984, while call volumes have tripled. The traditional small-town volunteer model is misaligned with