NYSAFC Presents 2019 New York State Fire Chief of the Year Awards

NYSAFC has named the 2019 recipients of the association's New York State Fire Chief of the Year Awards, Chief Edward Rush of the Hartsdale Fire District (Career Fire Chief of the Year) and Chief William Maloney of the Speigletown District Volunteer Fire Company (Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year). The awards were presented on June 13, 2019, during the NYSAFC 113th Annual Conference & FIRE 2019 Expo at The Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, N.Y.

NYSAFC's Fire Chief of the Year Award honorees are association members who have been selected for demonstrating exemplary leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, and contributions to the fire service, as well as outstanding support in efforts to meet the objectives of NYSAFC.

Edward Rush started his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with the Elmsford Fire Department and subsequently made it a career when he was hired by the Hartsdale Fire District in Westchester County. He has served as Hartsdale's fire chief since 2009 and continues to serve as a volunteer in Elmsford, where he has been a member for over 33 years. Rush has demonstrated a strong commitment to his department, community, and numerous state and national fire service organizations. Since 2016, he has served as the treasurer of the Career Fire Chiefs of New York State. Rush also serves on the board of directors for the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. A member of NYSAFC since 1986, he has been an active member of the Government Affairs Committee since 2012 and currently serves as vice chairman of the State Sub-Committee. Since 2016, Rush has coordinated the NYSAFC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb held in conjunction with the Annual Conference & FIRE Expo, fostering its steady growth. Rush's commitment does not stop with the fire service, as he has also served as a member of the Elmsford village board for the past 10 years and is currently deputy mayor.

William Maloney has led the Speigletown District Volunteer Fire Company in Rensselaer County as chief since 2013. He has been a member since 1987. While many volunteer fire agencies across the nation have struggled with staffing levels, under Maloney's direction, Speigletown's membership has increased markedly. The increase is directly attributable to his efforts in nurturing youth involvement in the fire service through the implementation of an Explorer Program and Junior Firefighter Program, as well as working to attract former members back to active service. Maloney has notably strengthened the relationship between veteran firefighters and young members, fostering the mentorship of new recruits to the benefit of the agency. He also actively promotes a diverse membership that welcomes all community members who demonstrate a desire to help others. Steadfast and resolute when confronting issues and challenges, Maloney was honored as the 2016 Fire Chief of the Year by the Rensselaer County Fire Chiefs Association for sharing his expertise and serving as a key committee member working with county officials to upgrade the county's emergency communications system. Maloney has been a member of NYSAFC since 2016 and is an active member of the Volunteer Chiefs Committee.

NYSAFC is now accepting nominations for the 2020 New York State Fire Chief of the Year Awards! Learn more here.