Dec 19, 2024
Dunkirk Fire Chief Michael Edwards is retiring Dec. 27.
Dunkirk Fire Chief Michael Edwards confirmed Tuesday he will retire later this month.
Mayor Kate Wdowiasz revealed the news, an open secret for weeks, at what she said would be Edwards’ final Common Council meeting Tuesday. His last fire department shift will be Dec. 27, the mayor said.
“Chief Edwards has demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to our community,” Wdowiasz said. “It has been a pleasure working with the chief, whose wisdom and experience have been invaluable to our community. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for his years of service and wish him a happy, well-deserved retirement.”
After receiving a standing ovation, Edwards rose to make a few remarks.
“It’s been my honor and privilege to serve the Dunkirk Fire Department and the citizens of Dunkirk for just over 39 years now, 19 of those years as the fire chief,” he said. “I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved in the department — and I say ‘we’ because it takes an entire department, it takes a city staff, and so on.
“I’ve worked alongside many talented and dedicated members. I learned from many peers and mentors over the years. In my time, I was educated every day, and if you don’t take every day and learn something new and open yourself up to no ideas… then you’re not doing your job.”
Edwards spoke of “several challenges over the years, several years where we had very lean budgets” during his time as fire chief. “We went through a lot of cutbacks years ago in the fire department. But we overcome those things, working together, staying strong.”
The chief specifically thanked two fellow department heads: Department of Public Works’ Randy Woodbury and recently retired Police Chief David Ortolano. Edwards noted improvements in the city water system under Woodbury’s leadership.
He said of Ortolano, “We worked together, hand in hand, out on the streets and then again in our leadership roles. He is a true professional, he is a very good friend of mine. We forged a relationship between the police and the fire departments that is second to none. We worked very well together.”
Edwards then referred to his wife, “the commissioner.” He said, “I’ve worked with some tough bosses in my life, some tough mayors in my life…but none of them are tougher than my wife. She softened the blow for me when times got tough.”
Edwards concluded: “Thank you to the citizens, thank you to the public, for entrusting me to be your fire chief. It’s been a great career. This is what I’ve always wanted to do, be a fireman, since I was a little kid hanging around fire headquarters on Eagle Street.
“I got to achieve that. I consider myself very lucky — even more lucky that I got to do it in my hometown in Dunkirk.”
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