Administration

Chief's Welcome
The Elmira Fire Department provides public safety services to the citizens of our city. In addition to fire suppression, we also offer fire prevention education programs to many groups in our community. These fire prevention programs reach out to business and industry, institutions, schools and target all age groups. Our code enforcement duties work together with fire prevention programs to reduce the conditions that can result in loss by fire.

The emergency medical and rescue response we provide has become well known to the residents of Elmira. Each piece of fire apparatus is equipped with basic life support and early defibrillation equipment. Every member of this Fire Department is prepared to deliver highly skilled emergency medical and rescue services whenever they are needed. Our hazardous material emergency spill response unit is the only one of its kind in this section of New York State. We provide this service throughout Chemung County with the cooperation and the assistance of the other fire departments in the county.

When city residents are suddenly confronted with an unexpected emergency, the Fire Department usually represents their only resort in dealing with the situation. Elmira firefighters have made a commitment to education and training to the highest of standards. This helps us to respond and assist citizens facing a true emergency in the most effective manner.

As chief, I am very proud of the interest and dedication exhibited by the personnel of the Elmira Fire Department. I believe their continued enthusiasm has the potential to make this organization one of the finest, most productive and efficient municipal Fire Departments in New York State.

Fire Chief: Gary Blitz
Chief Gary Blitz is a life long resident of the Twin Tiers. After graduation from High School, he began working for American LaFrance as an assembler. Over his 10 years of service he was promoted to Group Leader Foreman and then Supervisor in different areas of the production of fire apparatus. While at American LaFrance he was enrolled in night classes at Elmira College taking courses in Business Administration. He was also a member of the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In 1979 he joined the Elmira Fire Department. Since then he has completed courses at the New York State Fire Academy at Montour Falls and at Corning Community College in the Fire Technology Program. Chief Blitz was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997 and assigned to Rescue 681. In March of 2004, he was promoted Captain and with the retirement of Chief Thomas Murphy in July of 2005 was appointed to Chief of the Elmira Fire Department.

Chief Blitz lives in the City of Elmira with his wife of 32 years, Margaret. Together they have two adult sons and three grand children all living in the area. Off duty, He enjoys skiing, riding four wheelers, snowmobiling and golf. He also enjoys tinkering with his classic 1965 Mustang. Most of all, he treasures spending as much time as he can with his three grandchildren.
»Email the Fire Chief.


A Shift Incident Commander:
Deputy Chief Daniel Sincock
Deputy Chief Daniel Sincock, a 19 year veteran of the Elmira Fire Department is the son of retired Elmira Firefighter John Sincock and the brother of Training Officer James Sincock. Deputy Chief Sincock grew up in Elmira and graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1980. He continued his education at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelors Degree in 1984. He has also achieved an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Corning Community College and from 1988 through 1996, he served in the US Army Reserves.

Sincock was hired in 1985 as a Firefighter and promoted to Lieutenant in 1993. He attended the New York City Fire Academy at Randalls Island and graduated from the Front Line Supervisor Training Program. He was promoted to Captain in 2004 and Deputy Chief in 2005. He has been active in the Firefighters Union, the AIFF, throughout his career with service as Trustee, Secretary, and Treasurer. He is also the Financial Trustee of the NYS Professional Firefighters Association. He is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Specialist, and NYS Code Enforcement Officer. In 2001, he was selected as Firefighter of the Year.

Dan is married to Ann Fuller-Sincock and has a son named Mackenzie and a daughter named Danielle. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities.


B Shift Incident Commander:
Deputy Chief David Jessick
Deputy Chief David Jessick is an Elmira native and a graduate of the Elmira Free Academy Class of 1975. After employment at American LaFrance, Ward LaFrance, and Hardinge Brothers, David joined the Elmira Fire Department in 1980. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1988 and to Captain in 1995. Upon his promotion to Deputy Chief in 2003, he assumed command of the Chemung County Hazardous Materials Team.

Deputy Chief Jessick has been a certified CPR instructor since 1986 and a New York State certified lab instructor for EMT training sessions since 1988. In 1989, he graduated from the First Line Supervisors Training School at the FDNY Fire Academy. In 1992, he completed training at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls to become a certified fire investigator and to be certified in code enforcement. He has also been an adjunct instructor at the New York State Fire Academy. In March of 2005, he completed the Incident Command and Hands on Training for Weapons of Mass Destruction at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama. He is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Fire Science at Corning Community College.

Deputy Chief Jessick is the son of Paul Jessick, who retired as a Captain from the Elmira Fire Department in 1993 after 31 years of service. Dave and his wife, Laura, have two daughters, Lindsey and Amanda. When he’s off duty, he enjoys camping, hiking, reading, gardening, exercising, and spending time with his family.


C Shift Incident Commander:
Deputy Chief Patrick Bermingham
Deputy Chief Patrick Bermingham is the fourth generation in his family to serve in the Elmira Fire Department. He follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather Daniel, his grandfather John, his uncle Thomas, and his father John. His great grandfather Daniel lost his life in the line of duty in 1939 at a blaze at State Street and E. Second Street.

Patrick is a graduate of the class of 1975 from Notre Dame High School. After High School, he attended Corning Community College and received an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the Elmira Fire Department in 1981 and became an EMT in 1984. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1993. In 2003, Pat was promoted to Captain and then promoted to Deputy Chief in 2005. He has served as a member of the HazMat Team, completed FDNY's First Line Supervisors School, and attended the WMD Incident Command School in Anniston Alabama. He is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Firefighting.

Off duty Deputy Chief Bermingham spends a lot of time with his two grandchildren and helping his elderly parents. He enjoys cooking, reading, gardening and traveling with his wife. He also spends a great deal of time at their cabin hunting and relaxing.


D Shift Incident Commander:
Deputy Chief James Kujawski
Deputy Chief James Kujawski is an Elmira native who graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1975. He earned an Associate of Science degree from Corning Community College in 1977, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Elmira College in 1979, and a Master of Science Degree from Elmira College in 1991. He was appointed to the Elmira Fire Department in September 1981 and promoted to Lieutenant in October of 1994. In November of 1995, he graduated from the First Line Supervisors Training Program at the FDNY's Fire Academy. After spending 1995 as Lieutenant on the EFD's rescue vehicle, Rescue 681, he became the Lieutenant on Engine Company 3. In July 2003, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Engine Company 5, where he became the House Captain at Station 5. In May 2005, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, serving as supervisor of D Shift and also in charge of the EFD's Emergency Medical Services.

Deputy Chief Kujawski is the son of Robert J. Kujawski, who served as a Firefighter in the Elmira Fire Department for 35 years assigned to Engine Company 5 for the majority of the time. He has been married to his wife, Carin, since October 1981. Together they have four children: Robert, Cindi, Kristie and Jamie. Deputy Chief Kujawski coached Little League baseball for 12 years, highlighted by being manager of the 1995 Horseheads 11-12 year old All Star Team which won the New York State District 6 Championship, and being a coach on the 2000 Horseheads 9-10 year old All Star Team which won the District and Sectional Championships and made the New York State Championship Final Four. Now retired from coaching, his hobbies include jogging, family activities, and following the Buffalo Bills and New York Mets.


Training and Safety Officer:
Deputy Chief James Sincock
Deputy Chief James Sincock is a 1982 graduate of Elmira Free Academy. He graduated from Corning Community College with a Associate’s Degree in Fire Science. He served with the Army Reserves 464th Combat Engineer Battalion until 1998 where he was honorably discharged.

Jim joined the fire department in 1989 working alongside his brother Dan and now retired father, Firefighter John Sincock. While working as a fulltime firefighter he was also employed by Erway Ambulance as a critical care technician, gaining valuable experience providing advanced levels of prehospital care. As a firefighter Jim was active with the department's Hazardous Materials Team and has attained the highest levels of training the State provides.

In June of 1995 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and later graduated from the First Line Supervisor’s Training Academy run by the New York City Fire Department. Jim has been a CPR instructor with the American Heart Association for over ten years providing training for not only the department but also the public. He was also certified as a CPR instructor by the American Red Cross.

In April of 2003 he became a Regional State Fire Instructor with the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. He has assisted with instructing career and volunteer firefighters from all over New York State. In June of 2002 he completed all the requirements including Basic Trauma Life Support and Advanced Pediatric Life Support to obtain NYS and National certification as an EMT- Paramedic, the highest level of prehospital care currently available.

Promoted to Captain in March of 2004, he later left the line the following year to take over the department's training and safety program. In May of 2004 Captain Sincock was appointed the Municipal Training Officer which resulted in a promotion to Deputy Chief in May of 2005.

While off duty he enjoys mountain biking, hockey, weightlifting, camping and entertaining his eight year old daughter, “ Perri.”
»Email the Training and Safety Officer
»Browse through the Training Gallery


Fire Marshal: William R. Wheeler
Fire Marshal and Superintendent of Buildings, Bill Wheeler lives in the City of Elmira with his wife Rebecca. He is a graduate of Southside High School, attended Corning Community College, Elmira College, New York City Fire Academy and the NYS Fire Academy.

After nine years in Local 23 International Bricklayer & Mason’s Union as a journeyman, Bill joined the Elmira Fire Department in 1974. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1993 and successfully completed Officers training at the FDNY Fire Academy. He was promoted to Fire Marshal in 1994 and his responsibilities include the supervision of the Building Department, Code Enforcement and Fire Prevention, and Investigative Operations. He has also been an instructor at Jefferson Community College and currently at Corning Community College teaching Fire Science courses.

He has served on Fire Code Technical Committee after being appointed by the Director of New York State Code Division to develop a new Fire Code for the State of New York. He also served on the International Means of Egress Technical Committee after being selected by the International Code Council.

Bill is certified in CPR, defibrillation, EMT, New York State Instructor for Fire Science, adjunct instructor for New York State Building Codes and has an extensive list of relevant training and experience.

When he's not on duty, he enjoys golf, the outdoors, and fishing and boating on Seneca Lake.
»Email the Fire Marshal