NYSAFC is saddened to announce the loss of Past President George R. Maney, who led the association from 2004-2005. He passed away on December 15, 2013.
Maney joined the Johnson City Fire Department (Broome County) in 1964, was a lieutenant in the 1970s, and served as chief of the department from 1986-2001. He is fondly remembered as a caring leader and was a strong proponent for fire safety education in the community.
In addition to his duties as fire chief in Johnson City, Maney spent a number of years as building inspector for the village. In that capacity, he helped many owners navigate the requirements for opening their new businesses.
He also served as chairman of the New York State Department of State Division of Building Standards and Codes and served on the New York State Codes Council Fire Sub-Committee.
A member of NYSAFC since 1986, Maney actively served on the Life Safety Committee prior to his election to the board of directors in 1994. During his tenure as president, NYSAFC celebrated its 100th anniversary. This was also a time of great change and financial uncertainty for the association, yet under the strong leadership of Maney and the board of directors, the association endured and continues to thrive.
Maney was known as a strong advocate for training and education. Under his leadership, NYSAFC expanded its education program, providing more seminar and hands-on training opportunities and introducing new programs, such as ISO and fire accreditation workshops. The association was also sworn in as a Statewide Fire Chapter of the International Code Council (ICC) and for the first time provided codes training at the Annual Conference where students could earn CEUs – a program that continues today. In addition, during this period NYSAFC began plans for relocation of the Annual Conference & FIRE Expo from Syracuse to Lake George, and greatly enhanced communication efforts by introducing a new design for SIZE UP magazine, launching a redesigned website, and offering new benefits like the Daily Dispatch e-newsletter.
Maney also was a member of the New York State Building Officials, Career Fire Chiefs of New York State, International Codes Council, and International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also was a former member of Choconut Center Volunteer Fire Department.