By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Twenty-five cadets from 10 volunteer fire departments across Central New York participated in the inaugural Central New York Youth Fire and EMS Training Weekend held July 17-19, 2026, at the Fairmount Fire Department Training Center.
- The three-day cross-training program was developed jointly by Fairmount Fire Department’s David Mazzoni and Borodino Fire’s Mark Swing, with support from the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
- Training components included Stop the Bleed emergency medical certification, smoke-out simulations, and rescue scenario exercises; cadets were randomly assigned to mixed-department groups to simulate multi-agency response operations.
- Mark Swing, founder of Borodino’s Fire Cadet Program and 2026 FASNY Youth Mentor of the Year, emphasized the program’s purpose: recruiting and training future firefighters to sustain volunteer fire service infrastructure.
- Participants ranged from age 13 to experienced cadets on the path to full department membership, with several expressing intentions to pursue fire science education and professional fire service careers.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A collaborative training initiative for youth firefighters and emergency medical personnel debuted in Central New York on July 17, bringing together 25 cadets from 10 volunteer fire departments for a three-day skills and fitness development program.
The Central New York Youth Fire and EMS Training Weekend took place at the Fairmount Fire Department Training Center and was coordinated by Fairmount Fire Department personnel and Borodino Fire’s Mark Swing. The program received organizational support from FASNY, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York.
David Mazzoni, with resources and organizational capacity at Fairmount Fire, partnered with Swing to establish expanded youth fire training infrastructure across Onondaga County. Mazzoni’s role focused on providing facility access and logistical support for the weekend program.
Swing has dedicated his career to mentorship in fire service. His approach emphasizes early recruitment and foundational training for future firefighters. Swing entered a firehouse at age 14, progressed to wildfire deployment, helicopter rescue operations, and served as fire chief twice during a 43-year career. His mentorship commitment led to development of Borodino’s Fire Cadet Program, which resulted in his selection as 2026 FASNY Youth Mentor of the Year.
“To train our future firefighters, to fill the seats of these fire trucks, that is what this is about,” Swing stated. “And give the kids the foundation to start on for community service.”
The weekend curriculum included Stop the Bleed emergency medical training, conducted smoke-out tactical simulations, and heavily obstructed rescue exercises. Cadets were deliberately assigned to cross-departmental groups to build collaboration skills and replicate multi-agency response operations typical of emergency scenes.
Participation included new cadets experiencing firefighting equipment and procedures for the first time alongside individuals with years of cadet program experience. Connor Young, 17, a restricted firefighter with the Minoa Fire Department and three years in the cadet program, stated he is fully trained as a junior in high school and plans to pursue fire protection technology studies at Onondaga Community College following graduation.
“If you want to do it,” Young said, “get into it young and you’ll enjoy it for the rest of your life and make lifelong friends.”