NYSAFC Names 2016 New York State Career and Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award Recipients

NYSAFC is pleased to announce the 2016 recipients of its New York State Fire Chief of the Year Awards, Chief James R. Comstock of the Henrietta Fire District (Career Fire Chief of the Year) and Chief Thomas W. Gies of the Merrick Fire Department (Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year).

The awards were presented during the General Session of the NYSAFC 110th Annual Conference & FIRE 2016 Expo on June 16, 2016, at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY.

NYSAFC’s Fire Chief of the Year Award honorees are selected for demonstrating exemplary leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, and contributions to the fire service of New York state as a whole.

Chief James Comstock is recognized for his commitment and service to his department, county, and members of the fire service throughout the state of New York. Comstock comes from a firefighting family, following in the footsteps of his father. He joined the Henrietta Fire District of Monroe County in 1976 as a volunteer firefighter and became a career employee of the Henrietta Fire District in 1984, serving as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief before being promoted to chief in 2006.

During his 40 years of service, Comstock was an instructor for the Monroe County Fire Bureau for 13 years, a New York state fire instructor for 10 years, and a specialty lecturer for the Monroe Community College Criminal Justice Training Center for 12 years. Comstock also serves as an incident commander and operations section chief with the Western New York Incident Management Team. He also is part of the Monroe County Special Operations Leadership Team, an incident support team member, and a New York state EMT and code enforcement officer. A member of NYSAFC since 2004, Comstock served on the Paid Officers Committee from 2010-2015 and was elected to the board of directors in 2015. He has also been active with the Career Fire Chiefs of New York State and served as president of the organization from 2011-2015. Additionally, Comstock is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section, International Code Council, and National Fire Protection Association.

Chief Thomas Gies also comes from a firefighting family and has been a member of the Merrick Fire Department in Nassau County since 2002 and a firefighter with the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) since 2004. During his 14 years with the Merrick Fire Department, he has served as a company officer for more than seven years and has worked diligently to improve the department’s training and EMS programs.

On February 19, 2015, while serving as assistant chief, Gies responded to a mutual aid fire in North Bellmore, NY. Upon arrival, he was advised that there was a report of possible entrapment. Gies entered the two-story cape home with fire rapidly extending from the basement to the first and second floors. After giving a report of heavy fire and smoke in the basement, he immediately called a "mayday" upon seeing two firefighters who had fallen through the first floor and into the fully involved basement. Instead of trying to escape the heat and flames, Gies went to assist his fellow firefighters who were disoriented and unsure of how to escape. Crawling down the stairs below the heavy smoke and flames, he made his way to the first firefighter and led him to the stairs so he could make his way out. Gies then returned to look for the second firefighter and brought him back to the stairs and eventual safety. Thanks to the quick actions of Gies, both firefighters were treated for minor injuries. For leadership in the fire service and bravery above and beyond the call of duty, Gies was honored with this award.