The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services today announced that Luci Labriola-Cuffe has been appointed Deputy State Fire Administrator in the State’s Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC). In this role, Labriola-Cuffe, the first woman to ever serve as Deputy State Fire Administrator (DSFA), will grow and strengthen the Office’s Fire Training and Education Branch. For approximately 60 years, OFPC has been responsible for providing key trainings to firefighters and other emergency responders and during that time, in conjunction with emerging threats such as COVID-19 and extreme weather stemming from climate change, the responsibilities of New York State’s fire service have increased dramatically. DSFA Labriola-Cuffe will ensure that OFPC’s training and education programs meet the growing and evolving need of the Fire Service in New York State including meeting new challenges and expanded responsibilities seen in recent years.
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “The heroes of New York’s fire service have dedicated their lives to protecting their communities and it’s our responsibility to deliver the best possible training so they can do their jobs safely and effectively. Luci Labriola-Cuffe’s intelligence, professionalism and decades-long career focused on this work made her the clear choice to lead these efforts statewide and I am thrilled she’s joining the DHSES team.”
New York State Fire Administrator James Cable said, “The Office of Fire Prevention and Control is pleased to welcome Deputy State Fire Administrator Labriola-Cuffe to our team. DSFA Labriola-Cuffe’s wealth of knowledge and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand and strengthen our fire training and education programs.”
Today, OFPC’s fire training program consists of more than 200 courses. Training and education courses are conducted for both career and volunteer fire departments throughout the state, serving approximately 100,000 firefighters in 1,754 fire departments. This training is essential for safe and effective emergency response aimed at protecting the people, property and environment in the State of New York. For many fire departments, particularly volunteer fire departments, OFPC’s firefighter training courses are the only formal training available. OFPC conducted 2,506 of these courses in 2021, with 247 courses conducted at the New York State Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls. In total, 24,538 firefighters and emergency service personnel received some form of training or education through these courses.
Additionally, OFPC plays a leading role in increasing fire safety skills of the general public through its coordination of seminars and events, the dissemination of educational materials and notifications, and the use of its mobile Fire Safety Houses. In 2021, nearly 28,000 individuals received training through these OFPC-supported public fire safety education programs statewide.
Deputy State Fire Administrator Luci Labriola-Cuffe said, "I am extremely humbled and excited for this opportunity to bring my experience in training New York’s local career and volunteer fire service to the state level. There is nothing more important than keeping the fire service well trained and maintaining their safety and security given the many new challenges they face, including responding to active shooter incidents or lithium ion battery fires. I look forward to joining the OFPC and DHSES team to make New York a safer place for all.”
Most recently, Labriola-Cuffe served as the Chief of Fire Training for the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services where she was responsible for training programs at the County Fire Training Center. This included supporting career firefighter training academies and coordinating with OFPC on State Fire Training courses conducted at the facility. Additionally, Chief Labriola-Cuffe supported Westchester County’s COVID-19 response, routinely conducting, assisting with and participating in various readiness drills and exercises. She also played a key role in the development of the County’s response to active shooter/hostile event protocols and best practices.
Prior to her role as Chief of Fire Training with Westchester County, Labriola-Cuffe began her career with the Armonk Fire Department where she served in multiple roles including as EMS Captain, Fire Patrol Captain, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief and finally as Chief of the Department.
Labriola-Cuffe currently serves on the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force, as well as the President of the Westchester-Putnam Peer Support Team which supports connecting emergency services and health and human services personnel with services ranging from crisis management briefings to family support and pastoral care.
Labriola-Cuffe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science, as well as Master of Professional Studies degrees in Public Health Preparedness and Counterterrorism from the Pennsylvania State University.
About the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control
The Office of Fire Prevention and Control delivers a wide breadth of services to firefighters, emergency responders, state and local government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York. The office advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations and technical rescue programs. The delivery of these essential services enables the office to make significant contributions to the safety of all of New York State.
About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, find DHSES on Facebook, on Twitter or visit dhses.ny.gov.
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