Babylon Fireman Named President Of NYS Association Of Fire Chiefs

BABYLON, NY — A Babylon fireman has been elected president of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs.

Anthony "Laff" LaFerrera, a lifelong member of the North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company was honored by local officials at a ceremony in early August after being elected president of the association.

He is the second person from the Town of Babylon to be elected president since the association's inception in 1904.

After joining the North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company in March 1979, he was assigned to Station #2, moved through the ranks of line officer and served as captain from 1986 to 1989. He was elected third assistant chief in 1990 and chief in 1994 and 1995. LaFerrera is also a past president and still serves as secretary of the fire company.

LaFerrera also served as a member of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association, the Town of Babylon Fire Officials Association and the Fire Chiefs’ Council of Suffolk County, according to NYSAFC. Since 2003, LaFerrera has been a member of the Suffolk County Fire and Rescue Services Commission and is a retired FDNY EMS lieutenant.

The new president has been a member of NYSAFC since 1990 and served on the Communications Committee, the Annual Conference Committee Administration Sub-Committee and the Volunteer Chiefs Committee. He's been a director since 2016 and served as second vice president and first vice president.

In a social media post, a Town of Babylon representative wrote:

"Chief, we’re incredibly proud of your achievements, and the town board shares in the honor of having you represent volunteer firefighters statewide and as our friend. Congratulations!"