New York State Fire Service Mourns the Loss of Chief Thomas Wutz

NYSAFC joins the New York state fire service in mourning the loss of Chief Thomas J. Wutz Sr., who passed away on July 15, 2023, due to illness resulting from his deployment to Ground Zero following the attacks on September 11, 2001.
 
Wutz served with New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention & Control for 31 years, retiring in 2011 as the chief of the Fire Services Bureau. In this capacity, his many achievements include the establishment of New York’s Regional Response Team (NYRRT-1). Wutz continued to serve as a New York state fire instructor for nearly 12 years after his retirement and was a longtime member of the New York State Incident Management Team.
 
His fire service career began in 1968 with the Williamsville Fire Department (Erie County). Wutz was a member of the Schoharie Fire Department (Schoharie County) from 1972-1986 and served as chief of the department from 1975-1980. He later served with the Midway Fire Department (Albany County) from 1986-2000.
 
Wutz was a 48-year life member of NYSAFC. He served on association committees for 33 years, including the Legislative Committee and Public Relations & Information Committee, and most recently was a longtime member and past chairman of the Fire Education Committee before retiring in 2022. A dedicated fire service educator, Wutz also volunteered as a technical consultant for NYSAFC’s SIZE UP magazine for many years and frequently lectured at the Annual Conference.
 
Wutz served with the New York Air National Guard for over two decades, retiring in 2001 as chief master sergeant.
 
Our sincere condolences to the Wutz family. Learn more about Tom’s life and fire service career here.