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Industry News
NEWYORK STATE’S REVISED EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION RATINGPROGRAM
We at Fire Districts of New York Mutual Insurance have an important insurance update to share that will impact all Workers Compensation and Volunteer Firefighter Benefits Law (VFBL) policyholders in New York State. This applies to all insurance companies and providers doing business in New York State.
As approved by the New York State Department of Financial Services the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB) has implemented a new calculation this year to determine the Experience Modification Factors (EMFs) for all New York State Employers — including fire districts. This may result in a significant change to some employers/fire districts EMFs which is based on the policyholder's loss experience. According to NYCIRB, after a detailed study they found that the prior calculation did not sufficiently incentivize workplace safety or adjust premiums to an appropriate level for individual risks.
The experience modifier is a multiplying factor that's assigned to an employer/fire district each year by NYCIRB and reflects its claim history. This number is based on your actual cost of injuries compared to the expected costs for companies of a similar size in the same industry. Any change to your 2023 renewal EMF will directly impact your premium.
If an employer/fire district’s accident history is below average, they can get a credit on their workers’compensation policy, meaning they pay less premium. If their experience is above average when compared to similar sized and types of employers/fire districts, they’ll pay more than average for the same type of coverage. The NYCIRB has made several resources available to employers on their website (www.nycirb.org) to facilitate in understanding the changes they have made. Putting safety first is critical for managing workers' compensation and VFBLlosses. Fire Districts of New York Mutual Insurance Co., Inc., provides our policyholders cost effective quality service including loss control services to help improve and maintain the health and safety of firefighters throughout New York State. We partner with local independent insurance brokers. Contact your Insurance Broker if you have any questions. Together we are dedicated to serve your needs.
Fire Districts of New York Mutual Insurance Company, Inc. Founded by firefighters for firefighters to protect those that protect us. One Blue Hill Plaza, 16th Floor, Pearl River, NY10965; 845-3528855; www.fdmny.com.
The 5th Annual Firefighter Health & Wellness conference is coming soon to Beavercreek, Ohio, on October 26, 27 and 28, 2022. The Firefighter Health and Wellness Conference is the most affordable health and wellness conference in America! This year’s speakers include Former Firefighter, Police Officer, Author, and Comedian Travis Howze, Save-a-Warrior Founder Jake Clark, FDNYDeputy Chief Frank Leeb, Retired FDNYCaptain Mike Dugan, Retired OKCFD Major Chris Fields, Dr Sara Jahnke, Dr Jeff Burgess, and more! Visit our website to view our entire lineup and purchase your tickets! https://events.brothershelpingbrothers.org/ffhw2022
FireNews.com
Fire News, October2022, Page 31 Annual Fire Chaplains Training Conference 2022
The NYSAFC held their Annual Training Conference at the Comfort Inn and Suites, East Greenbus. It was an informative conference with training from the Four Chaplains Foundation, NYS Office of Mental Health, and Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Chief Chaplain Thomas With gave the Association’s annual welcome. The Annual Memorial Service, and, Annual Dinner were also conducted during the Conference. Every day started with a time of prayers and devotions. The theme of the 2022 Conference was the “Four Chaplains.”
On Sunday evening, we had Chaplain Refresher Training, conducted by Executive Secretary William Miles, with assistance from Association 2nd Deputy Joseph McCarthy. This all took place during a power outage, which occurred when a local sub-station suffered an explosion.
Monday began with a short welcome by Chief Chaplain Thomas With. He introduced Rev. Gary Holden, Senior Chaplain of the Four Chaplains Foundation. Rev. Holden’s training presentation of the day was “Introduction to Being a Fire Chaplain.”
The spouses were treated to a bus trip to the Bowman Orchards in Rexford. Association Director Chaplain Kevin Bowman and his wife Martha, organized the spouses outing. Also, past Chief Chaplain, Rev. Leon Van Wie, was presented with his past Chief Chaplain’s Badge and a plaque of grateful appreciation for his dedication and devotion as Chief Chaplain from 2020 to 2022.
After a brief meeting of the association on Tuesday morning, training started with Steven Moskowitz, MSW, NYS Office of Mental Health, with subjects on “Psychological First Aid - Responding to Extreme Stress,” a review of “NYS Project Hope” and “NYS Disasters and Mental Health Response.” Steven is the Director of the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
On Tuesday evening, we held our Annual Memorial Service at the Fuller Road Fire Department. firehouse in Colonie, followed by dinner. The conference theme was based on the Four Chaplains and how our Association of Fire Chaplains had their humble beginnings. Our Memorial Address was given by Rev. Gary Holden. Also, during the Annual Memorial Service, Father Donald Rutherford, Major General (Chief Chaplain; ret.), of the US Army Chaplains, helped honor the Four Chaplains. He did so by lighting four separate candles during the association’s Joint Necrology reading of our deceased members, and, the Four Chaplains who gave up their life vests on February 3, 1943, the night the SS Dochester, a US Army transport, was hit by a torpedo and sank in the Atlantic.
During the dinner we also had Father Donald Rutherford, speak on the Four Chaplains. He also displayed his Bronze Star medal and other items of interest from his US Army position as Chief Chaplain. We also had a display, with explanation, of the “The Table set for One,” by American Legion Post 42, Chatham, Auxiliary President Barbara Fischer. Chief Chaplain Thomas With also presented identical plaques to Rev. Gary Holden, of the Four Chaplains Foundation, and to Senior Minister Lynn Bodden, of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady. Lt. Charles V. Poling, one of the Four Chaplains, was a Pastor at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady.
Please go to our Association’s website of NYSAFC.org for more historical information on the Four Chaplains. Also, please visit the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation website at fourchaplains.org, to read on how the Four Chaplains legacy is continued every day.
We concluded our conference on Wednesday with training on “Cancer in the NYS Fire Service,” by Fire Protection Specialist Timothy Graves, DHSES, Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
Interested at joining the Association? Please contact Executive Secretary William Miles at: nysafc@gmail.com. - Fire News story courtesy of the New
York State Association of Fire Chaplains
Providing an Archway
Recently, the Winona Engine Company used theirbucket truck, along with CronomerValley’s stick, to hang the American flag at the entrance of Algonquin Park. Otherfire companies did a walkthrough on the fire truck showing the visitors parts of the fire truck. Othercompanies were handing out waterbottles. - Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick
Garbage HaulerCatches Fire on NYS Thruway
Atrailerhauling garbage caught fire on the New York State Thruway northbound, just afterExit 22, in Selkirk recently. First arriving Selkirk Fire Department units found a trailerthat was already separated from the truck, with flames coming from the back of the trailer. Firefighters initially used handlines, then Selkirk 29-70’s aerial was used to extinguish the fire. Roberts Towing assisted by pulling out the contents of the trailerto help speed up the process of putting out the fire. Assisting Selkirk was the Coeymans Fire Department. - Fire News photo by John C. Miller
Fatal Fire in South Ozone Park
Three people lost theirlives in a five-alarm fire that consumed three houses and damaged several others on 125th Street near Liberty Avenue in the South Ozone Park section of Queens on June 17, 2022. Intense winds and soaring outside temperatures severely hampered fire operations. Two victims were discovered during initial operations and the third found laterin the day. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
