HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHAPLAINS, INC.

This historical section consists of the following:
I. The Minutes from the “Chaplain's Seminar and First Meeting, Rochester, New York, August 16, 1966.” This Seminar took place during the Annual Meeting of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. We are deeply in debt to F.A.S.N.Y for their assistance in helping to launch our association.

II. “History of the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc.” This history has been compiled from histories and other materials as written by the following ex-chief Chaplains, the Rev. Robert A. Bromfield, the Rev. Alan D. Carvalho, the Rev. Nelson R. Elliott and the Rev. Vincent A. Kennedy.

III. “List of Members”

IV. “List of Chief Chaplains”

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I. Chaplain’s Seminar and First Meeting Rochester, New York, August 16, 1966

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. with prayer by the Rev. Robert C. Field, Chaplain of FASNY. Father Field’s opening remarks involved the longtime question, “What is the purpose of a Fire Department Chaplain?” After some discussion by those present, Father Field suggested that we might hold a midwinter meeting and unify our stand on this matter. He then introduced the keynote speaker of the evening, Father Vincent A. Kennedy of Wantagh, New York.

Father Kennedy began his talk by challenging all present, “We all, as Fire Chaplains, have a serious job to do.” He went on to say, “When the call goes out for the Chaplain, it is important to firemen to know that their Chaplain is there. Even when illness strikes, men of the department like to have their Chaplain call, especially during serious illness. During my eighteen (18) years experience as a Chaplain (responding to fires, plane crashes and other emergencies), I have come to realize the important role the Chaplain plays in the lives of firemen and people caught in tragedy.” Our speaker continued, “This is a historical moment in the history of New York State as we of different faiths gather here as brother firemen…We need to get to know each other, see eye to eye, clarify our standards. We are not Chaplains for ourselves but for God...we are sometimes the only link between firemen and God.”

Serious discussion followed Father Kennedy’s talk and it was pointed out that we have no central bureau for Fire Chaplains and no reference as to procedure or standardization. Several important questions were raised: (1) Should our Chaplains be trained? (2) What really is the Chaplain’s role? (3) How many Ordained and Lay Chaplains do we have? (4) Should we organize? It was agreed, that only by future meetings and discussions, could we attempt to answer these important questions. It was also agreed that to better inform Fire Chaplains of their duties, a source of such information should be available.

By the consent of all present, it was agreed to organize on a state-wise level; including both clergy and laymen. Father Field then suggested that we elect officers so we can have a group to move the organization ahead. He moved that Father Kennedy be made President, Reverend John Brown, Vice President and Reverend Robert Bromfield, Secretary; he himself, would act as an advisor. His motion was seconded, carried and these men were elected. The question of how we should organize was raised and Father Field stated that, “there is a possibility of organizing under the auspices of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York; if this is not possible we can organize as an independent group.”

Father Weis made a motion that we send a questionnaire to all fire companies in regard to their Chaplains (procedures, programs, uniforms, etc). His motion was seconded and carried. Father Steger suggested that we ask each company what type of Chaplain they have, ordained or lay. It was agreed to include this on the questionnaire.

Father Kennedy thanked the group for electing him to his important position and he pledged himself to creating an organization of dedicated Chaplains throughout New York State. As suggested, a midwinter meeting will be arranged by the officers at a time most convenient to all involved.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. with prayer by Reverend Brown. Fourteen (14) Chaplains were present.

Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Robert A. Bromfield, Secretary

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II. History of the New York State Association Of Fire Chaplains, Inc.

The New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc. is an association uniting Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish Chaplains, whether lay or ordained, in the fire service. Through meetings, it provides fellowship, develops ideas and procedures for Chaplains to follow in ministry and gives opportunities to develop skills in firematics through annual training periods.

Through the support of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York and during the Annual Meeting, a seminar of fourteen Chaplains under the direction of Chaplain Robert Field, then Chaplain of F.A.S.N.Y., took place in Rochester, NY on August 16, 1966.

The purpose of the founding seminar was nine-fold in its inquiry: 1. General duties and responsibilities of Chaplains of fire departments and companies and other organizations; 2. Duties and responsibilities of the Chaplain at a fire; 3. Suggestions for a local Annual Memorial Service for departed firemen; 4. Conduct of a service at a wake in a funeral home; 5. Blessing and dedication of a new fire house; 6. Blessing of a new fire truck and/or other equipment; 7. Prayers to be used on special occasions; 8. Means of interesting more clergy to participate in the work of the volunteers; 9. General knowledge of and how to use if necessary Scott airpack and other pieces of equipment.

During this successful meeting, it was decided that a committee should be formed to seek means of formally organizing a fire department Chaplains’ Association. This committee met periodically in 1966 and 1967 and presented to interested Chaplains a constitution and by-laws paper. Of general interest to firefighters is the stated purpose of the Association which reads: “The purpose of this Association is to unite all fire Chaplains of the State of New York in order to promote a deeper and wider knowledge of one another in the true ecumenical spirit and to establish statewide procedures of standardization in serving our firemen and God, our supreme Chief.”

Thus fourteen Chaplains, becoming the charter members, formed the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, Inc. With the appropriate papers drawn up, the constitution and by-laws agreed upon, the Association presented the formal incorporation papers to the State of New York on May 12, 1967. A supreme court justice signed the papers on June 1, 1967, thereby legally recognizing the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains as a duly constituted and incorporated nonprofit, educational, religious body.

The by-laws require the election of certain officers for the Association. These are Chief Chaplain, 1st Deputy Chief Chaplain, 2nd Deputy Chief Chaplain, Executive Secretary and a Board of Directors. The first officers elected were: The Rev. Vincent A. Kennedy, Wantagh, NY, Chief Chaplain; the Rev. John L. Brown, then of Jordan, NY, 1st Deputy Chief Chaplain; the Rev. David W. Arnold, New City, NY, 2nd Deputy Chief Chaplain; the Rev. Robert A. Bromfield, Marcy, NY, Secretary-Treasurer. The Board of Directors were; the Rev. Robert Field, Mr. Edward J. Sitzman; the Rev. Richard K. Much; Mr. James Reitz, Sr.; the Rev. John J. Steger; and Mr. Harold D. Robbie.

The Association held two meetings per year in January and in May. The spring meeting was for actual firematic training and the winter meeting was given over to discussions, panels or papers concerning the work of the fire department Chaplain. In 1982, it was decided to hold one spring meeting each year. In the early years, financial support came from the gifts of Fire Departments within the state. These gifts were placed in a special fund with the hope that some day we could establish a central office.

A manual was developed containing the Constitution and By-laws, an article on The Role of the Fire Chaplain, funeral and memorial services and prayers for various occasions. In 1976, out-of-state Chaplains were granted an associate membership.

November 6-7, 1976, the tenth anniversary celebration took place at Skaneateles, NY. The highlight of the program was the presentation of a proclamation by New York State Governor Hugh L. Carey; recognizing the tenth anniversary of the Association and proclaiming November 7, 1976 as Fire Chaplain Day in New York State. From its inception through the tenth anniversary, the Association was the only known one of its kind in the world.

As of 1985, the Association had grown to over 400 members. The organization has membership in The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (F.A.S.N.Y.) and the Fellowship of Fire Chaplains, an international group. The Association has developed its own permanent seal and coat badge. Many of the Chaplains wear the uniforms of their respective departments. The Association provides manuals, badges, shoulder patches, helmet decals, windshield decals, name badges, membership brochures and sends out a newsletter twice a year, in addition to the minutes of the annual meeting. Also available for loan from the office of the Executive Secretary are two slide presentations: “The Church Fire” and “The Role of the Fire Chaplain in the volunteer fire service.”

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III. List of Charter Members
These nineteen (19) Members were present at the March 10, 1967 meeting in Albany NY in which the charter was first discussed before being officially presented and recognized by the State of New York on May 29, 1967.

• Rev. David W. Arnold
• Rev. Robert A. Bromfield
• Rev. John L. Brown
• Rev. Robert H. Darling
• Rev. Robert G. Field
• Rev. Donald J. Gardner
• Mr. D. W. Holmes
• Rev. Vincent A. Kennedy
• Rev. Richard K. Muck
• Rev. William Muller
• Mr. Floyd G. Nower
• Rev. Robert E. Reisch
• Rev. Robert Schroeder
• Mr. Edward J. Sitzman
• Rev. John J. Steger
• Mr. Henry Stillman
• Rev. George L. Stowell
• Rev. Eugene R. Wies
• Rev. Robert J. Winterkorn

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IV. List of Chief Chaplains

Rev. Vincent A. Kennedy
August 16, 1966 - May 19, 1969

Rev. John L. Brown
May 19, 1969 - May 7, 1972

Rev. James F. Larkin
May 7, 1972 - May 19, 1974

Rev. Robert A. Bromfield
May 19, 1974 - May 4, 1975

Rev. Harold F. Langley
May 4, 1975 - May 21, 1978

Rev. Robert J. Winterkorn
May 21, 1978 - May 3, 1981

Rev. Alan D. Carvalho
May 3, 1981 - April 24, 1983

Rev. John J. Steger
April 24, 1983 - May 12, 1985

Rev. Nelson R. Elliott
May 12, 1985 - April 26, 1987

Rev. Rocco Gallitelli
April 26, 1987 - April 25, 1989

Rev. Stephen Kish
April 25, 1989 - May 1, 1990

Rev. William Michatek
May 1, 1990 - April 28, 1992

Rev. Robert Thomas
April 28, 1992 - April 26, 1994

Mr. Thomas Tobin
April 26, 1994 - April 30, 1996

Rev. Gregory Brennan
April 30, 1996 - April 28, 1998

Rev. Wayne Jagow
April 28, 1998 - May 2, 2000

Mr. Jack Nunn
May 2, 2000 - April 30, 2002

Rev. Daniel Bitsko
April 30, 2002 - April 28, 2004

Deacon Ed Billia
April 28, 2004 - April 24, 2006

Mr. William A. Miles
April 26, 2006 - Present