NYSAFC Award Recipients Announced

• By: Staff
• On: 07/30/2024 13:41:40
• In: NYSAFC News

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs 2024 award recipients were recognized during the General Session of the 118th Annual Conference & FIRE 2024 Expo on June 13, 2024, in Syracuse, NY.
 
The New York State Fire Chief of the Year Awards were presented to Chief Brad W. Davies of the City of Corning Fire Department (Career Fire Chief of the Year) and Past Chief William J. Palmer Sr. of the Ovid Fire Department/Croton Engine & Hose Co. #1 (Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year). Honorees are association members who have been selected for demonstration of exemplary leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, and contributions to the fire service, as well as outstanding support in meeting the objectives of NYSAFC.
 
Chief Brad Davies started his fire service career in 1993 as a volunteer with the Village of Horseheads Fire Department. He was hired by the city of Corning as a firefighter in 2000, was promoted to lieutenant in 2009, attained the rank of deputy chief in 2013, and was named chief of department in 2014. Davies is a certified New York state fire instructor and fire officer, New York state emergency medical technician (EMT-D), and a graduate of the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Chief I & II and Executive Chief Officer I & II programs. During his career, Davies has performed numerous duties, including fire prevention coordinator from 2005-2009, fleet maintenance, fire safety inspector, fire investigator, and hazardous materials team member. Davies' extensive background in construction, working in both commercial and residential construction for many years, has given him additional insight into both firefighting and technical rescue operations. He has also served as the acting city manager/director of public safety for the city of Corning since January 2018. Davies has been a member of the Career Fire Chiefs of New York State since 2014 and has served as president since 2017. He is also a member of the NFPA, Steuben County Local Emergency Planning Commission, Steuben County Fire Advisory Board, and the Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler County Environmental Emergency Services board of directors. Davies has been a member of NYSAFC since 2012 and joined the association's board of directors in June 2024. Davies is described as frequently sharing his concern for his firefighters, his city, and the fire service in general, and is well known for his ability to facilitate collaboration between organizations to solve common issues.
 
Chief Bill Palmer has been an active member of the Ovid Fire Department/Croton Engine & Hose Co. #1 since 1963. While on leave from the department serving with the U.S. Navy stationed in Jacksonville, Fla., Palmer served for three years with the former Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department/Duvall Co. Station #22 (now Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Station #22). Upon returning to Ovid, he was elected lieutenant in 1971, captain in 1972, 2nd assistant chief in 1974, and was chief from 1975-1981. Palmer served a second term as chief from 1996 – January 2024 and continues to actively serve the department in the role of safety officer/station chief. He has also served on the department board of directors since 1976. Palmer served as Seneca County fire coordinator from 1980-1996, was a deputy fire coordinator for 28 years (1972-1980 and 1996-2016), and is a past New York state fire instructor. He is also a member of Seneca County Fire Chiefs Association, served on the Seneca County Fire Advisory Board for over 40 years, and is a 37-year member of NYSAFC and was an association regional representative from 2003-2006. A dedicated member of his community, Palmer retired in 2006 as department of public works superintendent following a 40-year career with the village of Ovid. His understanding of water systems has been invaluable in his firefighting career. Palmer also served as a town of Ovid councilman from 2000-2004, including one year as deputy town supervisor. Palmer's accomplishments within his department and at the county level are innumerable. Most notably, he was instrumental in formation of the Seneca County Fire Investigation Team and Seneca County Hazardous Materials Team, and he worked tirelessly to improve training and communications systems throughout the county. Under Palmer's tenure as chief, the Ovid Fire Department constructed a new fire station, which opened in 2005, and he continuously worked to ensure the department obtained modernized and much needed tools, equipment, and apparatus. Palmer is well known for fostering professional development and improving educational opportunities within the county. Sadly, Chief Palmer passed away on August 8, 2024. Learn more about his life and firematic service here.
 
Firefighter Terence S. Hannigan, Esq. of the Elsmere Fire District (Albany County) was honored with the Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award, which recognizes an association member for outstanding effort in fire service training and education. Hannigan has been an active volunteer firefighter for 36 years, obtained his initial EMT certification in the 1970s, and is a nationally certified fire instructor and New York state fire instructor, as well as a highly regarded fire service attorney with Hannigan Law Firm. He has lectured for all the major New York state fire service associations and at the New York State Academy of Fire Science on diverse topics ranging from leadership and management to legal liability issues, and he frequently speaks on the county and local levels on policy matters and legal issues. Outside the classroom, Hannigan is a Hands-On Training instructor for NYSAFC. Hannigan has dedicated his life to the betterment of the fire and emergency medical services of New York state, and is known for his vast knowledge of the emergency services, unbridled enthusiasm, exceptional communication skills, determination, approachability, and unique ability to make the most complex subjects understandable. He is also well respected for his work in course and curriculum development and most notably co-developed and delivers a popular New York State Fire Commissioner Training program statewide. Within his own community, Hannigan established the FAST team for the town of Bethlehem and was the first New York state fire instructor at the Elsmere Fire Department. As a mentor and innovative teacher, he continues to inspire other fire service educators across New York state.
 
The James W. Wright Public Education Award was presented to James Blackburn of the Indian River Middle School in Philadelphia, NY (Jefferson County), developer of “Mr. BB's Fire and Life Safety Program.” This award recognizes innovation and exceptional effort in fire/injury prevention and fire/life safety public education. Blackburn has been a social studies teacher with the Indian River Central School District since 2003. He also serves as a member of the Safety Committee at the middle school and an advisor for an EMT program at the high school. Additionally, Blackburn is a longtime volunteer firefighter and EMT with Rensselaer Falls Fire & Rescue (St. Lawrence County). He launched the program in 2020 to educate faculty and students about fire and life safety, and to encourage an interest in community service.  Blackburn and his unique program have impacted the lives of countless students, as well as their families, in his community.
 
Captain Andrew McLaughlin of the Peru Fire Department (Clinton County) and Firefighter Joanna Meyers of the Guilderland Center Fire Department (Albany County) received this year's Chief Neil McNeight Hands-On Training Awards. Established by the Chautauqua County & Monroe County Fire Chiefs Hospitality Committee, this award program is intended to advance firefighter training by funding the registration of qualified and deserving students in the NYSAFC Hands-On Training program at the Annual Conference & FIRE Expo. The awardees receive training, Full Term registration for the conference, as well as hotel accommodations and a meal stipend.
 
Seven scholarships were awarded this year through the association's Scholarship Program, which supports NYSAFC Individual Members or the spouses and children of these members who are pursuing academic advancement at the college level. 14 applications were received this year. The Anthony Messina Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing an emergency services degree and the Ward & Janice Bohner Scholarship is awarded to those pursuing a general course of study. Scholarship recipients and their sponsoring departments are Firefighter Jordan DeNinno  (Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department), Emily Frank (Johnstown Fire Department), Assistant Chief Michael Glinski (Grahamsville Fire Department), Lieutenant Sean Irving (Bellmore Fire Department Junior Firefighter Squad), Firefighter Vincent Orfini (Stony Point Fire Department), Alex Sullivan (Wayne Hose Company), and Reese Whitney (Cortlandville Volunteer Fire Department). Special thanks to the Fire Chiefs Council of Nassau County and Fire Chiefs' Council of Suffolk County for their contributions to the NYSAFC scholarship fund.
 
Learn more about NYSAFC's scholarship and awards here. 2025 nomination forms and applications will be available in the fall.