Fire News New York State September, 2023

photo by Kenny Flynn

In this issue...

Rochester 3-Alarm House Fire

Multiple alarms were struck bringing extra manpower to the scene.

See story on page 6

Port Chester 2-Alarmer

The Port Chester Fire Department was dispatched for a reported structure fire.

See story on page 7

All-Hands Fire in Queens

Firefighters fought heavy fire throughout a 2-1/2 story vacant building.

See story on page 10

Soundview 3-Alarmer

FDNYunits battled a three-alarm blaze in an occupied multiple dwelling in the Bronx.

See story on page 16

Stony Point Water Rescue

Teams worked together to rescue an elderly man whose home was completely surrounded by rushing flood waters.

See story on page 18

Bronx 2-Alarmer

FDNYunits in the Allerton section of the Bronx battled a two-alarm blaze.

See story on page 22

AService for New York State Firefighters and EMS Heroes

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FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher

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CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Aguilar, Chris Aldous, Jeff Ambroz, Peter Barber, Kevin Barry, John Bashaw, Bill Bennett, Tom Bierds, Jeff Couch, Chris Creighton, David Denniston, Rick Douglas, Brian Duddy, Stan Dybus, John Falcone, Ken Flynn, Joe Fortunato, Eli Gill, Mark Gillen, Carol Greene, Tom Heffernan Sr., Greg Herman, Matt Hodge, Steve Hodgekiss, Robert Holley, Daniel Imfield, Andy Jarchin, Bill Johnson, Mark Johnson, Chris Kalisak, Charlie Keller, Jon Kemp, Gordon Kotars, David R. LaRocco, Stephen Lenz, Joshua Long, Mike Messar, Ralph Miele, Albert Mignone, John Miller, Martin E. Miller, Lloyd Mitchell, Brian Natoli, Carleton Raab, Robert Reynolds, Lauren Rivera, Stephen Schaefer, Deborah Schweikert, Tom Shand, John Shaw, Sharon Siegel, Robert Simpson, Joe Sperber, Bryan Sypniewski, Karen Todd, Kyle Townsend, Joe Turner, Michael VanDerLieth, Lori Washburn, D.B. Weimer, Stephen White.

Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka

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to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News Inc, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY11713.

NEW FEATURE NEW FEATURE

CONGRESS TO CUTAFG AND SAFER GRANTS? YOUR ACTION NEEDED!

The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the National Fire Protection Association all joined together in a unified voice to express outrage at recently proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing forAdequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs. Our organizations call upon Congress to restore funding to these programs. Your support in amplifying our message would be invaluable

Here is a link to their full statement: https://www.iafc.org/docs/default-source/ 1gr/fire-groups-statement-on-afg-and-safergrant-cuts.pdf

ODD HOURS, NO PAY, COOLHAT

The National Volunteer Fire Council is proud to work in collaboration with John

Deere, Hold Fast Features, and Vignette on the volunteer fire service documentary Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat The film (https://oddhoursfilm.com/watch) is now available nationwide and can be rented or purchased via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.

This film aims to expand the visibility of volunteer firefighting and increase recruitment across the country. The trailer can be seen at https://vimeo.com/812127020/ead44de435.

VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDER HOUSINGACT

Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY02) introduced the VolunteerFirst Responder Housing Act, legislation to expand eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs. ).

Specifically, this bill would expand eligibility for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program assists approved

lenders in providing loans to low and moderate income households to build, rehabilitate or improve a home in eligible rural areas. The income limit for the program is no more than 115 percent of the median household income. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would allow volunteers to participate in the loan program even if their income exceeds the maximum allowable income level by up to $18,000. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program is an existing program that gives law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians a 50 percent discount from the list price of a home located in a revitalization area. The full text of the bill can be found at https://t.ly/E8EBQ.

Rochester3-Alarm House Fire

Athens Gets New Apparatus

In the early morning hours of June 1, 2023, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched to Champlain Street fora house fire. On arrival, companies found heavy fire conditions on multiple floors of a 2-1/2 story home which was quickly extending to homes on eitherside. Large lines were stretched and companies made entry into multiple homes foran aggressive interiorattack. Multiple alarms were struck bringing extra manpowerto the scene. Crews were able to get ahead of the fire and hold it mostly to the building of origin.

- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Heavy Smoke on Arrival

The Athens VolunteerFire Department held a wetdown forits new ETA2-1 pumper-tankeron July 1, 2023. Fire departments from Greene and Columbia counties came to celebrate Athen’s new eight-crew cab RosenbauerCommander2000-gallon PumperTanker. Its otherfeatures include a Knight LED Light Tower, TFT Hurricane Remote Monitor, and 1500-gpm Hale Pump. Garrison Fire and Rescue, a Rosenbauerdealerout of Palenville, worked closely with the Athens Fire Department’s truck committee to design the apparatus. The apparatus was dedicated in the memory of Tim Albright, Sr., who passed away December2022. Albright was instrumental in getting this apparatus forthe Village of Athens. He also actively trained many drivers throughout his 50plus years of service. His family, along with Village of Athens officials, were on hand as fire departments sprayed down the engine as it made a grand entrance into the Athens VolunteerFire Department’s campus.

- Fire News photos by John C. Miller

Pullman Ave. House Fire

In the afternoon of May 21, 2023, Rochesterfirefighters responded to Normandy Avenue fora house on fire. On arrival, crews found heavy smoke showing from the attic of a 2-1/2 story home. The fire was knocked down and placed undercontrol within 15 minutes.

- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

On June 25, 2023, Rochesterfirefighters responded fora house fire on Pullman Avenue. - Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

Port Chester2-Alarm House Fire

On May 28, 2023, at around 1342, the Port ChesterFire Department was dispatched to West William Street formultiple calls fora reported structure fire. Rescue 40 arrived to smoke and heavy fire showing from the rearof the house. Car2391 was informed that possibly people were trapped in the basement. Members conducted primary searches that were negative. Car2391

requested West Harrison TowerLadderto the scene and an additional towerladderand an additional engine. Car2391 requested a second alarm due to heavy fire conditions. Units had fourlines in operation. The fire was placed undercontrol within an hour.

- Fire News photos by Brandon Colon

Fatality in Cypress Hills Fire

ToddlerFatality at Jamaica 3-Alarmer

Just after0215 on May 9, 2023, a woman was pronounced deceased at the scene of an all-hands fire on Fountain Avenue in the Cypress Hills section of Brooklyn. Members removed fourchildren from the building in critical condition. The NYPD Crime Scene Unit a nd Fire Marshal’s Office were investigating the fire as suspicious after an accelerant was found on the first floorof the three-story brick attached dwelling.

Restaurant 2-Alarmer in Park Slope

Firefighters were forced to run a critically injured toddlerfro m a fire building underheavy fire conditions on 106th Avenue on May 14, 2023. The fire eventually went to a third alarm. The child was declared deceased at the hospital.

Flatbush 2-Alarmer

LadderCompany 122 and Battalion 48 transmitted a 10-75 for heavy fire in a restaurant on 8th Avenue in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn on June 24, 2023. The fire extended via the ductwork and a second alarm was transmitted. There were no injuries.

- Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

- Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

- Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

The FDNY’s 41 Battalion transmitted an urgent 10-75 forheavy fire in a three-story multiple dwelling on Veronica Place in th e Flatbush section of Brooklyn on June 30, 2023. Engine Company 255 and Ladder157 arrived first due. The fire ultimately went to a two-alarmer.

- Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Newburgh Community Day

On June 30, 2023, the Town of Newburgh held its annual Community Day. There where vendors and food trucks, Cronomer Valley towertruck on one side and Winona Lake laddertruck on

the otherside holding up the garrison flag; The Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services (TONEMS) was on call.

- Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick

All-Hands Fire in Queens

Firefighters fought heavy fire throughout a 2-1/2 story vacant building on Lefferts Boulevard on May 25, 2023. Units were advised to stay out of the X-marked building. Apairof towerladders and three hoselines were used to knock down the fire.

Albany County FF1 Class Graduates

Aftersix months of intense training, the Firefighter1 class of Albany County graduated 14 students. The graduation ceremony was held on June 30, 2023, at Verdoy Fire Station. The students represented Verdoy, SchuylerHeights, Coeymans Hollow, Selkirk,

Rotterdam 2, Boght, Midway, McKownville and Delmar. The graduates received theirstation pins from theirchiefs and family members. Welcome to the fire service to all of you.

- Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell

- Submitted by Lori Washburn; photo by Photo By Truck

Law and First ResponderRecruitment Fair

by Vinnie Dominick

Members of the Westchesterand Rockland Counties VolunteerFireman’s Association celebrated FASNYHome member Helen R. Tomlin’s 105th birthday on July 16, 2023. - Fire News photo by Vinny Ammirati

Spring Valley Strip Mall Fire

The Hillcrest Fire Department responded to a call fora possible structure fire on North Main Street in Spring Valley on July 8, 2023. As they responded to the 0330 call, a police officerreported that an entire strip mall was on fire. Initial fire crews found a welladvanced fire already through the roof of two stores in the strip. With the stores in the centerof the mall, several additional business-

es were also threatened by the growing blaze. Starting with a defensive attack on the involved stores, additional companies concentrated on interioroperations on the uninvolved businesses. With the help of fire walls on eitherside, the main body of fire was held to the originally involved pizza and bagel stores. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation.

- Fire News photos by Kenny Flynn

American Legion Department of New York Names Brockport Fire Chief Firefighterof the Year

Brockport Fire Chief Jose L. Medina was named “Firefighter of the Year” at the American Legion Department of New York 105th Annual Convention in Westchester County, New York on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Cynthia Nelson, Chairperson of the Statewide Law and Order Committee was joined by the Department of New York Commander David R. Riley, Sr., to present the award. Ms. Nelson read from the nomination forwarded by the Seventh District which originated with the Harsch-Crisp-Seaman Post 379 in Brockport describing Medina’s life-saving efforts. The American Legion Monroe County Committee and the American Legion Seventh District of New York made similar presentations to the Chief last month culminating in statewide recognition by the Legion this week.

Surrounded by family and friends, Chief Medina was humbled by the attention and stated his appreciation for the veterans a s he accepted each award. With those awards, his acceptance remarks indicated he, “Was in the right place at the right time, and ju st did what anyone with his training and knowledge would have done.” Mr. Joseph Moore, the driver of the vehicle he rescued attended the previous presentations relaying to the veterans in attendance h e would not be here today had it not been for the quick actions of Chief Medina.

The harrowing rescue occurred on June 1, 2022, on Salmon Creek Road in the Town of Sweden. Mr. Moore’s vehicle struck a tree trapping him inside while the engine compartment was burni ng out of control. Efforts to extinguish were failing as the fire was creeping into the passenger compartment prior to the arrival of fire apparatus. Chief Medina was able to climb in the rear seat to f ree Moore from the wreckage. Passing the now semi-conscious Moore to law enforcement assisting, the Chief was able to exit the ve hicle with only moments to spare. The fire advanced rapidly following the rescue engulfing the entire vehicle. “This is a prime examp le of one of our firefighters placing himself in harm’s way to save the life of another,” said Laurence Vaughan, Past Chief of the Brockport Fire District.

- Fire News photos by Vinny Ammirati and Christopher R. Martin

Soundview 3-Alarmer

FDNYunits battled a three-alarm blaze in an occupied multiple dwelling on Watson Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx on August 8, 2023. The fire was believed to have started on the top

floorand quickly spread into the cockloft requiring additional units. Two firefighters suffered minorinjuries.

- Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com and Lloyd Mitchell

West Sand Lake Fire Department Bed Build

West Sand Lake Fire Department once again partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace-NYto host a bed build. The organization helps to construct beds forchildren who are unfortunate and sometimes have to sleep on the floor. The members of the department braved high temperatures and humidity to spend the day sawing, sanding

and drilling wood which, once put together, will enable 20 children to have a bed in which to sleep. West Sand Lake believes it is important to aid theircommunity and this is just one way they are able to make a difference.

- Submitted by Lori Washburn; photos by Photos By Truck

Stony Point WaterRescue

On July 9, 2023, the lowerHudson Valley in New York suffered catastrophic flooding due to a slow-moving storm system that dumped what was described as a “full summer’s” amount of rain in just a few short hours. Some estimates put the amount of rain that fell anywhere between eight to 10 inches. Several area fire, police and EMS agencies were quickly inundated with storm related calls, ranging from stranded motorists on flooded roadways, to hikers trapped on flooded trails in a nearby state park, to several homes being threatened with being washed away due to now swollen streams, to name a few. As the Stony Point Fire Department began operations, the Piermont Fire Department Dive Team, High Angle Rope Team and the Nyack Fire Department High Angle Rope Team were both requested to the scene on mutual aid to rescue an elderly man whose home was completely surrounded by rushing flood

waters. Piermont divers made theirway into the swift moving water, dodging debris being washed down from upstream and made contact with the elderly male. On land, the rope teams worked togetherto formulate a plan on how to best remove the homeowner as safely as possible. Eventually a high line and Stoke’s basket became the consensus among the rescuers. The heavy rain had subsided due to a small break in the storm while the operation was ongoing, allowing the water’s velocity to slow considerably as well as becoming shallower. With this improvement in conditions, the rescue plan was altered and a small boat was brought in to remove the homeowner. The man was brought to waiting EMS crews, who checked him and found him to be uninjured from his ordeal.

- Fire News photos by Kenny Flynn

Cooling Down Anyway They Can

East RochesterCarinto Church

WNYVFANames Brockport Firefighter Alan C. Way Firefighterof The Year

The Brockport Fire District would like to congratulate Firefighter Alan C. Way for being named Firefighter of the Year with over 50 years of service by the Western New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association (WNYVFA) recently.

Way joined the Brockport Fire Department in 1963 shortly before serving his country in the United States Navy. Upon his return from active duty on the USS Randolph CVS, he continued his service to the community in the fire department and in a variety of oth er ways; volunteering at his church, at Lakeside Hospital and teaching f irst aid and driver safety when called upon.

He has become a well-known fire department volunteer at the loc al schools with his many years of dedicated service coordinating f ire prevention activities. He has also been very active in the Brockpo rt Exempts Club, the Brockport Fire Police, and a variety of fire service organizations across the county and state.

On the morning of June 11, 2023, East Rochesterfirefighters responded to West Commercial Street forthe report of an MVA. Crews arrived to find a carthat had hit the side of a church. Crews were able to rendermedical aid to the victim and found no signs of structural damage to the church.

- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com

It is for these reasons, and many more, Alan was nominated for this distinction, and we are pleased to announce he was selected and received the award on July 29, 2023, from the WNYVFA. Congratulations to Al, and keep up the good work!

- Fire News photo provided by Christopher R. Martin, PIO, Brockport Fire District

Trench Rescue in Brooklyn

took

Special Operations companies of the FDNYresponded to the report of a workerburied waist deep in a trench collapse on Flushing Avenue in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn on July 18, 2023. It

approximately 45 minutes forthe workerto be removed and transported to an area hospital.

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Bronx 2-Alarmer

FDNYunits in the Allerton section of the Bronx battled a two-alarm blaze on Mace Avenue on July 31, 2023. Heavy fire and smoke were visible on arrival and companies quickly went to work. Aheavy

cluttercondition inside the dwelling hampered fire firefighting operations and overhaul.

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com

Wiccopee Clam Bake and Service Awards

On July 29, 2023, the Wiccopee Fire Company held theirannual family clam bake. This yearwas special because the company recognized 10 of theirmembers who reached milestones in theircompany. The following members were recognized fortheirservice. James Forde, 50 years; Albert (Doc) Foraderstill active; Diane Hickman 53 Auxiliary; Loretta Jackson 53; William McClellan, 50; Scott McKenzie, 53; Gary McKenzie, 63; John McMahon, and Renate Pogge, 50; George Rozbora, 60; George Simpson, 53; and Glenn Scofield, Sr., Honorary 69 years. The following organizations presented certificates to acknowledge these great accomplishments. FANYDirectorDon Farrell, HVVFA1st Vice President Robert Schrader, DCVFAFinancial Secretary Vincent Galvin, DCFFM President Kyle Pottenburgh and Wiccopee President Tom Hussing and Assistant Chief John Ryan presented plaques fortheir great accomplishment. - Fire News photos provided

If you haven’t joined us in Columbus at this point for Firehouse Expo and experienced all that the city offers, know that an article in Forbes Magazine called Columbus a “hidden gem” and touted its diverse food and art scenes and highlighted unique offerings of the country's 14th largest city. We continue to partner with Columbus Division of Fire, the Ohio Fire Academy and departments throughout Central Ohio to provide unique training opportunities with top national instructors.

Schedule Change forFirst Day

To add more educational opportunities to Wednesday happenings, we updated the day’s schedule. Three groups of sessions will be offered between 0800-1230. There will be a break for lunch and then the opening ceremonies will begin at 1400, including awards and the keynote address. The day then will transition to the exhibit floor, where there will be a welcome reception, a Tailboard Talk and a roundtable.

New Classes

This year’s expanded classroom schedule includes the return of popular classes and instructors along with a variety of new instructors and topics.

We are excited to have David Decker, who is the host of the wellknown @CommandVisionFire channel on YouTube, bring his sessions to Firehouse Expo this year. Many of you have ridden virtually with him as he captures video and audio of incidents in Newark, OH. Now you can attend his class, “Incident Command: Defining the Expectation.” Expanding on his videos, Decker will set the pace for incident command with tips, tricks and how to use tactical worksheets.

Apartment buildings can be found in any community in the nation, and Firehouse Magazine Engine Essentials columnist Jonathan Hall will bring his popular article on apartment fires to life in his new session, “Engine Company Operations at Apartment Fires.” Getting t he hoseline into operation at the seat of the fire as soon as possible increases survivability and reduces damage in the home of many. Attend Hall’s session to learn more about engine tactics in the se challenging environments.

Departments have parsed various rapid intervention operations and skills to meet their resources and responses, but critical points might be overlooked when different programs fight for training time. Robert Policht will help attendees look at current RITneeds and deployment practices to assess their own needs in “RIT? FAST? RIC? WHO?”

Are you prepared to use your department’s drone? During “Flying into a New Era: Building a Drone Program and Utilization in the Fire Service,” Christopher Yoch will explain his department’s drone program, from concept, to equipment, to deployment at fires, for searches for missing people, and at large-scale incidents for victim search and responder safety.

VolunteerDays

Firehouse Expo will offer special programs for volunteer firefighters with a special discounted rate of $75 registration for either Wednesday or Friday. Sessions those days include tactics and leadership, training, and best practices for recruitment and retentio n. There also will be roundtables regarding various volunteer-focused topics.

Don’t miss “CPR for the Volunteer Fire Service,” a program with Ohio Fire Academy Fire Chief Jack Smith and Candice McDonald, who is the deputy CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council. They will discuss recruitment and retention strategies that aren’t b ased on costly campaigns and incentives but, rather, on practical, professional applications.

Brandon Fletcher will deliver two sessions, including “AFG Strategies for Success,” which will walk attendees through the process of writing grants for the Assistance to Firefighter Grants program from FEMA, including how his department has successfully navigated the process. This involves professional appearance and computer score justification, among others.

Lessons Learned

Attendees of Firehouse Expo in 2022 requested more classes/speakers that concentrate on lessons learned and that p rovide examination of close calls and fireground incidents.

Shawn Corder will detail his crew’s near-miss when members

became disoriented and separated on the second floor of the church and were running low on air as heavy fire conditions threatened their lives inside of a church. He will share what happened and what you need to train on now in his session, “Out of Air, Can YOU Make It to Safety?”

Various factors led to veteran fire instructor Ragan Underwood being trapped by a unilateral flow path after he evacuated his students during a live fire training exercise. Join Underwood in his session, “I Was Not Ready for This!” He will explain what happened that daydespite hundreds of hours of training -how it has affected his role as a firefighter and instructor, and what attendees can do during their operations and training.

Pre-conference Workshops

Our in-depth pre-conference workshops will allow participants to take a deep dive into leadership, tactics and the human side of firefighting, among other topics.

Getting out with the crew in your first-due always creates great discussions between members, and Firehouse Expo’s “Walking Columbus: Talking Tactics and Construction” will bring together a group of veteran fire instructors and attendees to discuss building construction and tactics. Join Columbus Division of Fire’s legendary Capt. (ret.) Greg Lash, Firefighter Nelvin Young and their cadre as they take you on a full-day tour of Columbus to look at myriad types of buildings to understand size-up, construction, and strategies and tactics. Registration is limited, so sign-up today.

This new class conference includes several “Thru-the-Lock, the Not-So Forcible Entry Method” with John Hayowyk, Jr., Battalion Chief (ret.), City of Passaic Fire Department.

Life Safety, incident stabilization and property conservation a re the three incident priorities we follow in the fire service. At every incident, these priorities must be maintained. One of the many tasks firefighters must be proficient in is forcible entry. The Thru-the-Lock method of forcible entry conserves property damage while obtaining the goal of gaining entry. This method is utilized when life safety and property conservation come together to make access to buildings and homes for a vast array of incident responses. When seconds count and lives hang in the balance, it takes trained professionals to do their job and get it done right. Thru-the-Lock has proven effective to access patients, making entry for water flow activation, as well as ma intaining door control for smoke conditions. An additional benefit of Thruthe-Lock is the ability to secure the entry point upon terminat ion of the incident. Thru-the-Lock is a skill every firefighter needs in their proverbial toolbox.

Fire departments across the country face many challenges in the post-COVID-19 era, including leadership changes, culture issues and exhaustion, which all can bring down morale in firefighters. Join Charleston, SC, Fire Chief Dan Curia and Assistant Chief David Griffin (author of Firehouse’s Leadership Lessons column) for “The Morale Dilemma,” as they show how to guide a department forward by reevaluating its culture, examining leadership, and setting goals and timelines to boost the morale and make the organization mor e successful.

Find the full list of pre-conference workshops here: firehouseexpo.com/2023/workshops. You must preregister for these four- and eight-hour workshops, so do it today.

FIREHOUSE EXPO PREVIEW: MORE LESSONS LEARNED, VOLUNTEER DAYS, ‘AFAMILYBUSINESS’

Chief Thomas Wutz, Sr.

Hundreds of friends and fire service personnel gathered to remember and honor the life of Chief Thomas Wutz, Sr. who passed away from 9-11 related cancer on July 15, 2023. Chief Wutz had a long and accomplished career in Fire Protection and Emergency Services Management. He began his fire career in the Williamsville Fire Department in 1968. He then became a member of the Schoharie Fi re Department from 1972 - 1986, serving as Chief of the Department for five years. Upon moving to Colonie he became an active member o f the Midway Fire Department.

Chief Wutz had a 31-year career with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control retiring in 2011 as the Chief of the Fire Services Bureau. In that capacity, Chief Wutz had many great ac complishments and achievements including establishment of New York ’s Regional Response Team, NYRRT-1. He also served 24 years with t he Air National Guard, retiring in 2001 as Chief Master Sergeant.

Chief Wutz was deployed for weeks to Ground Zero immediately following the September 11, 2001, attacks. He was widely recognized for his expertise and experience as a Team Leader for the New York State Incident Management Team. Chief Wutz was also a founding member of MacBoston 18 Truck Memorial helping to recognize the members of the fire service who passed from LODDs. He and his wife Jeanne worked effortlessly advocating for and helping connect World Trade Center first responders with health care and other servic es.

The Wutz family has continued the proud tradition of becoming members of the fire service with the Fire Department of New York. Son Thomas, Jr., is a Captain in the 6th Division in the Bronx and son Jared is assigned to 84 Engine in Washington Heights.

Chief Wutz was loved by family and friends, respected by members of the fire service for his mentorship, knowledge and his friendship. He will be forever remembered with each story that is shared and with every glass of bourbon raised in his honor. Rest in peace Chief

- Submitted by Lori Washburn; photos by Photos By Truck