New York State Professional Firefighters Association to Hold Annual Meeting Next Week in Schenectady County

250 Delegates Headed to Downtown and Mohawk Harbor

Lighting Downtown will be Red All Next Week to Show Support for and Welcome Firefighters

Schenectady, N.Y., June 23, 2023 – Schenectady County officials are rolling out the red carpet to welcome the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association’s annual meeting to Schenectady next week. Over 250 delegates will visit Schenectady for their annual convention to be held from June 25 through June 29. The convention will be held at Rivers Casino & Resort.

“It is Schenectady County’s honor to host this meeting of firefighters from across the State as we show off our waterfront, downtown and county-wide attractions,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature.

“Welcome firefighters to Schenectady,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy. “We thank Schenectady’s fire department for helping to bring this meeting to our community and for their dedicated service. Please enjoy your stay.”

To let the firefighters know that Schenectady supports and welcomes them, a large number of buildings downtown will be lit up in firefighter red. Metroplex helped to develop downtown lighting and coordinates the displays for special events.

Todd Garofano, Executive Director of Discover Schenectady said, “Schenectady County is a great location for conventions and meetings held by trade and industry groups. We are competing for and winning this business which creates positive spin-off impacts for our hotels and restaurants. We want visiting firefighters to know we appreciate their valor and their service. We are lighting up downtown with the color red. We encourage all residents and businesses to join us in rolling out the red carpet for this special group of visitors.”

The New York State Professional Firefighters Association represents 18,000 men and women working full-time as members at municipal fire departments across the state. This is the group’s 82nd annual convention. The firefighters will enjoy Schenectady’s waterfront casino and Mohawk Harbor and visit downtown for a barbeque at Katie O’Byrne’s. A golf outing to Briar Creek Golf Course in Duanesburg is also part of the schedule. A portion of the proceeds from the barbecue will support Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.

The following will be lit in firefighter red starting this weekend:

• Amtrak station
• Erie Boulevard railroad bridge
• Gateway Plaza
• Key Hall
• Schenectady Municipal Parking Garage
• State Street railroad bridge
• 133 Erie Boulevard
• 530 Franklin Street
• Lawrence the Indian (Stockade)