Company Officers Leadership Training (COLT)
Company Officers Leadership Training (COLT) is NYSAFC’s annual two-day leadership development program featuring a roundtable discussion and lectures for personnel of all ranks. COLT 2025 lecturers include Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman (FDNY), Fire Service Attorneys Terence Hannigan & Mark Butler, and Captain Joe DiFabio (Syracuse F.D.) & Lt./Chief Paul Haynes (Syracuse F.D./East Syracuse F.D.).
Registration Form (PDF)
Registration Form & Flyer (PDF)
Registration Form (JPG)
Flyer (JPG)
Online Registration
Creation of an online account will be required for online registration.
2025 Dates and Locations:
Fulton County – January 17-18
Berkshire Fire Department • 320 Steele Avenue Ext. • Gloversville, NY 12078
Monroe County – February 28 – March 1
Hilton Fire Department • 120 Old Hojack Lane • Hilton, NY 14468
Erie County – March 28-29
Orchard Park Fire Company • 30 School Street • Orchard Park, NY 14127
Lectures:
“Leadership, Mentoring, and Succession Planning”
Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman, Fire Department City of New York (FDNY)
We all serve for a relatively short term in the life span of our organizations. A 30-year career is an opportunity to have an impact during that time frame. But if you do it right, it can be like picking Supreme Court justices: Your impact will continue for years after you are gone. We are all measured in part by how we mentor others, how we bring others along. All good officers are teachers and are always looking to help the unit and the organization. The mentoring process is a component of successful leadership. Departments have to look deep into their organization to find the best leaders. “You still need people who can make the long hallways, but we also need people to get involved in other aspects of the job – people to develop the training programs and deliver them.” Chief Norman will show how to improve your personal leadership, as well as your organization’s leadership, during this seminar that has been described as “almost a religious experience.” It will cover topics of vital importance to all fire service leaders, from company officer to chief of department, including: What is Leadership?, Leadership vs. Management, 15 Commandments of Leadership, Leadership on the Fireground, Handling Department Leadership Challenges, Ways to Improve Your Leadership, Roles of Company Officers/First Line Supervisors, Facing the Promotion or New Assignment, Establishing and Maintaining Credibility, Giving Orders, Handling Conflicts, and Handling Disciplinary Actions/Creating Disciplined Personnel.
“Liability, Immunity, and Indemnity – A Practical Understanding of Three Legal Concepts for Fire Officers”
Attorney Mark Butler, Esq., Law Offices of Mark Butler & Attorney Terence Hannigan, Esq., Hannigan Law Firm
Through the discussion and explanation of actual New York state court cases, this program will provide a comprehensive and practical explanation of the legal concepts of liability, immunity, and indemnity as they pertain to command officer actions and decision-making. This program is designed for fire officers, fire commissioners, and experienced firefighters looking to ascend to positions of leadership.
“Leggo My Ego”
Captain Joe DiFabio, Syracuse Fire Department &
Lieutenant/Chief Paul Haynes, Syracuse Fire Department/East Syracuse Fire Department
This program is a guide to assembling the building blocks of a successful fire department training program by tapping into all of your members – new, old, and everyone in between.
Registration:
$200 per person – NYSAFC Individual and Department Members
$225 per person – Non-Members
Pre-registration is encouraged. On-site registration will be accepted if space permits.
Note: A 3% service fee will be applied if paying by credit card.
Schedule (All Locations):
Friday:
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Registration/Check-In
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – John Norman
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch (Provided)
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Mark Butler & Terry Hannigan
Saturday:
8:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Joey DiFabio & Paul Haynes
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Roundtable Discussion