ALBANY- In a resounding display of support, Sam Fresina, a former Albany firefighter, has been reelected for his fourth term as the head of the New York State Professional Firefighters Association. The unanimous decision was reached during the union’s biannual convention held in Schenectady. Fresina, who initially assumed the presidency in 2016, will continue to lead the union’s 18,000 members.
Having dedicated his career to the fire service, Fresina’s tenure with the Albany Fire Department, where he worked from 1990 until his retirement in 2010. Notably, he served as the president of the Albany Permanent Professional Fire Fighters, a position that paved the way for his subsequent roles within
the state association. His journey within the organization saw him rise to the position of executive vice president in 2004, secretary and treasurer in 2010, and ultimately, president in 2016.
In a statement, Fresina expressed gratitude for the unanimous endorsement and emphasized the association’s ongoing dedication to crucial issues. “Our priorities remain steadfast: advocating for pension tier fairness, securing additional funding for safety programs and health care screenings,
and championing legislation that recognizes and supports the invaluable contributions of professional firefighters,” said Fresina.
During his previous tenures, Fresina championed initiatives aimed at safeguarding the well-being of firefighters. Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing the statutory presumption for firefighters dealing with job-related heart disease. Additionally, his advocacy secured $1.5 million in state budget allocations earmarked for safety and training endeavors.
