Firefighters Association bringing 151st convention to Niagara Falls in August

Says almost 1,000 visiting volunteer firefighters, guests, vendors & dignitaries will create over $750,000 impact on local economy

The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) will bring its 151st annual convention to Niagara Falls, from Aug. 8-12 at the Sheraton Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Convention Center. Almost 1,000 people, including volunteer firefighters and their guests from across New York state, vendors and visiting dignitaries, will attend the convention and related events.

The convention is being held in Niagara Falls for the ninth time, and this is the 12th time Niagara County has hosted this event. A total of 40 FASNY annual conventions have been held in Western New York since the association was founded in 1872.

A press release noted, “The hundreds of visitors to Niagara Falls for the FASNY convention are expected to generate approximately $757,639 in economic activity in the region that week. This includes over 1,100 hotel stay nights, meals, social activities and other travel-related expenditures.”

Destination Niagara USA President and CEO John Percy said, “We are pleased to welcome FASNY back to Niagara Falls, USA, as the event creates a positive economic impact for the destination. Niagara Falls provides the perfect backdrop for conferences, giving attendees an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Niagara Falls State Park and to explore the iconic attractions and activities throughout the county.”

Activities for the week will include a golf tournament at the Hyde Park Golf Course; the Past Presidents Dinner at the Frontier Volunteer Fire Co. firehall; convention ceremonies and proceedings at the Sheraton Niagara Falls and the Convention Center – including FASNY’s annual Hero Awards presentation, training sessions on key fire service topics – including electric vehicle fires; a block party; and a youth day event filled with hands-on training for junior firefighters at the Wheatfield Training Center on River Road.

Niagara County hosted the inaugural FASNY Youth Day in 2009 as part of the 137th convention.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the FASNY convention back here to Niagara Falls for 2023,” said FASNY President Edward Tase Jr. of Lockport. “FASNY has a long history of holding our convention in our area, dating back to 1877, when the convention was held in Lockport, and we have been holding our annual gatherings right here in Niagara Falls since 1892. As both FASNY president and a Niagara County resident, I am very proud that we are hosting the 151st annual convention right here in Niagara Falls.”

The 152nd annual FASNY Convention is scheduled to return to Niagara Falls in August of 2024.

Founded in 1872, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.

The mission of Destination Niagara USA is to expand the economic prosperity of the Niagara Falls USA communities by generating individual and group visitation. For more information, visit niagarafallsusa.com.