A new chief has been appointed to the City of Binghamton Fire Department.
On May 26, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced the appointment of Binghamton Fire Department Assistant Chief Thomas P. Edwards as Binghamton’s next fire chief, effective June 1.
The fire department’s former chief, Alan Gardiner, retired on March 13 after 29 years of service within the department, according to a department Facebook post.
Edwards, a 22-year veteran of the department, has served as assistant chief since 2024. In this role, he has directed the activities of the fire department during his assigned shift, coordinating all fire companies during fires, directing firefighters in lifesaving operations and assuming on-scene command of all firefighting activities as the ranking officer, according to International Association of Fire Fighters Local 729 President David Holleran.
Edwards became certified as a New York State paramedic in 2006, shortly after joining the department. Since 2010, he has served as a New York State certified fire instructor, teaching classes to other first responders on live fire training safety, firefighter survival, hazmat response, incident command and rescue technician basics.
Edwards stepped into his first leadership role in 2008 when he was promoted to lieutenant and was later named a captain in 2016. He also served as Broome County Deputy Fire Coordinator from 2017-2022.
He is a graduate of Deposit Central High School and holds associate of applied science degrees in paramedicine and natural resources from SUNY Broome and SUNY Cobleskill. He lives on Binghamton’s South Side with his wife and family.
In a statement, Edwards said he is honored to serve the City of Binghamton as its next fire chief.
“The city, department and I are committed to providing a diverse firefighting force trained to the highest, most progressive levels of skill and professionalism, in service to our community, which so many of us call home,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: 22-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department appointed chief
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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