HUDSON, N.Y. — FASNY’S Museum of Firefighting celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday. It’s the “largest and most comprehensive” museum of its kind, according to its website (FASNY is the Firefighters Association of the State of New York).
Governor Hochul joined in on the occasion, marking the day with a proclamation. She believes the museum can inspire a new generation of first responders to stand “in the line of fire– literally– because [they] want to do what those who’ve gone before [them] have done.” She also noted the material support her administration has directed toward firefighter recruitment. “I invested $10 million in the volunteer firefighting stipend program to offset the cost for new firefighters. That results in us picking up the cost for 1400 new members just in the last couple of years. It’s working.”
The governor also touted the $25 million in this year’s budget that has been earmarked for firefighting equipment and facilities. She mentioned the ban on PFAS (known as “forever chemicals” colloquially) that was signed into law this month. The bill doesn’t go into effect until 2028, but still constitutes a win for advocates. A similar ban on the sale and restoration of furniture and electronics made with certain flame retardant chemicals went into effect last December…