More than 60 first responders gathered Sunday morning at Resorts World Catskills for a seminar aimed at strengthening the Sullivan County fire service. 

Co-hosted by Sullivan County’s Bureau of Fire, the Join Sullivan Fire Task Force, and the Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association, the course was designed to encourage firefighters to pursue excellence not only in emergency response but also in the daily operations of their fire departments.

The seminar was part of an ongoing initiative first launched in 2022 to help fire departments recruit and retain members while fostering a culture of professionalism.

The latest session focused on personal accountability and self-reflection, prompting firefighters to examine their roles and responsibilities both on and off duty.

“The volunteer fire service is filled with people from all walks of life,” said co-presenter Brian Soller, Rock Hill Fire Chief and a State-certified fire instructor. “Regardless of our rank, we need to look in the mirror to best represent ourselves, our department, the fire service, and our community in the most professional way we can.”

“Serving as a firefighter is a privilege and a responsibility that goes beyond what we do at the scene of a call,” added co-presenter Nate Routledge, Roscoe-Rockland Fire Chief, a State-certified instructor, and a paid firefighter/EMT with the Monticello Joint Fire District. “Our professionalism starts with a commitment to personal accountability, and that’s something worth talking about with one another.”

Participants explored key topics such as professionalism in and out of the firehouse, minimum standards, and department-wide expectations. The seminar encouraged attendees to take an honest look at themselves and consider how their actions, words, and even appearance reflect on the fire service as a whole.

Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild emphasized the seminar’s core message: “Brian and Nate displayed a slide that asked, ‘Why are we here?’ The answer is something we all can agree with: to be the firefighter I would want to respond to my own family’s emergency. I’m glad to tell the public we serve that this is the attitude we train our firefighters to have.”

In addition to individual accountability, the seminar also addressed common challenges within fire departments that can hinder growth. Soller stressed the importance of open discussions about these issues, urging attendees to take the lessons learned back to their own agencies to foster improvement.

The event also aimed to break down stigmas associated with the fire service, including persistent stereotypes such as the misconception that “all firefighters are alcoholics.” By encouraging open conversations and self-awareness, the seminar reinforced a commitment to building a more professional and respected fire service.