Syracuse to host fire chiefs conference, 9/11 stair climb memorial
Downtown Syracuse drew firefighters, vendors and trainees as FIRE 2026 opened, with a public 9/11 stair climb Friday at the War Memorial.
Downtown Syracuse got an influx of firefighters, trainers and exhibitors as the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs opened its 120th annual FIRE 2026 conference and expo at The Oncenter. The four-day gathering, which runs through June 13, is expected to bring about 10,000 visitors to the city and fill the convention district with more than 145 vendors, adding hotel bookings, restaurant traffic and steady foot traffic around the arena complex.
NYSAFC describes FIRE 2026 as the Northeast’s premier fire industry, rescue and EMS conference and expo. The organization, founded in 1904, says the event is built for first responders of all ranks and includes exhibits, fire and EMS classes, hands-on training, accredited training opportunities and networking events. Hands-on training is scheduled for June 10-12, while the expo and exhibits run June 11-13 at The Oncenter in Syracuse.
The conference’s general session is set to include an association business meeting, a memorial service and a keynote address from FDNY Chief of Training Michael Meyers on Thursday, June 11. For Syracuse and Onondaga County, the draw is not just ceremonial. A gathering of this size brings a visible boost to nearby hotels, bars and restaurants, while keeping the downtown core active for several days with visiting departments, vendors and instructors.
The most public-facing event on the schedule is Friday’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Walk at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial, 800 South State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. Check-in and on-site registration begin at 7:00 a.m., and the climb starts at 8:00 a.m. The memorial walk gives participants a way to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001 by climbing or walking the equivalent of 110 stories of the World Trade Center.
That stair climb also opens part of the week to the broader community, allowing residents to take part in a tribute that is tied directly to one of the city’s busiest public venues. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation lists the Syracuse climb among its 2026 memorial stair climb events, underscoring how FIRE 2026 links regional emergency-service business with a public act of remembrance in the heart of downtown Syracuse.
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