Department of

Fire and Rescue Services

43 South Duke Street, York, PA 17401 • (717) 854-3921
Headquarters Fax: (717) 843-0464 • Fire Prevention Fax: (717) 812-9831

Mission Statement

The City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services shall provide professional, courteous and effective emergency response to protect the lives and property of our citizens and visitors. We will make every effort to reduce the risk to our citizens through fire prevention, public education, and fire investigation.

About The Department

The City of York rests in the center of the largest metropolitan area in York County and is the county seat. The city consists of 5.26 square miles and is the 14th largest city in Pennsylvania. York was originally laid out in 1741 along the banks of the Codorus Creek. York was incorporated as a borough on September 24, 1787, and as a city on January 11, 1887.

The City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services comprises the largest full-time cadre of firefighters in the metropolitan area, comprised of 56 career personnel and one civilian employees and 45 volunteer firefighters and fire police. The Department operates four fire stations, a headquarters building and a storage building. Volunteer staffing comes from the nine volunteer fire companies organized within the City of York. In the past two centuries the service has evolved from an all-volunteer department to the largest combination department in York County.

Offices And Hours

Fire Administration Offices
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday through Friday
Phone: (717) 854-3921
Fax: (717) 843-0464

William H. Sleeger, Jr., Fire Chief
Adam E. Smith, Deputy Chief

Fire Prevention Bureau
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday through Friday
Phone: (717) 854-3921
Fax: (717) 812-9831

William L. Collins Jr., Assistant Chief
Kevin L. Holtzapple, Captain

Emergency Planning Office
First Floor
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday through Friday
Phone: (717) 854-3921

Michael R. Shanabrook, Emergency Planning Specialist

Fire Stations

Station 1 – Rex/Laurel
49-51 South Duke Street.
Station 1 consists of two separate buildings. The Laurel Fire Company building, the southern building, was constructed in 1877-78 and is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest continuously operating fire stations in the United States. The Rex Hook and Ladder Company building was constructed in 1888 and was designed to match the Laurel’s architecture. Station 1 is adjacent to the Fire Headquarters Building.

 

 

Station 2 – Vigilant/Union
273 West Market Street, This station is our newest, constructed in 1973-74. It replaced the former Vigilant station which was demolished after flooding from hurricane Agnes in 1972.

 

Station 5 – Goodwill
833 East Market Street.
This station dates from 1903. The Goodwill Fire Company was originally located in Spring Garden Township until annexed by the City of York in 1900.

 

 

 

Station 9 – Lincoln
800 Roosevelt Avenue.
The station was constructed in 1946. The Lincoln is the youngest of the nine volunteer fire companies in York.

 

 

Fire Department Staff Changes

  • Promotions

    William L. Collins, Jr.

    Promoted to Assistant Chief on January 13, 2020

    Assistant Chief Collins joined the department on March 10, 1997.  Prior to joining the department, Chief Collins served his country in the United States Marine Corp.

    Chief Collins has obtained the certification of Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, and numerous NIMS certification including ICS 300 & 400, amongst numerous other certification.

    Chief Collins has been recognized several times throughout his career for heroic action including the dramatic rescue of a child from a fire on S. Queen St. in 1999. Chief Collins was also the recipient of the 2013 firefighter of the year award. Chief Collins’s was also recognized by the Black Minister’s Association in 2016 when he received the Black Minister’s Association Community Award.  Chief Collins has the distinct honor of being the first African American Chief within the department, and honor that is overdue and most certainly deserved.

    Prior to his promotion, Chief Collins served as the Captain on the D Platoon.  Chief Collins has been assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau.

    Kenneth E. Swartz, II
    Promoted to Captain on January 13, 2020

    Captain Swartz joined the department on August 13, 2001.

    Captain Swartz has earned numerous certifications throughout his career. Captain Swartz is a certified Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) numerous NIMS classes.

    In December 2007, Captain Swartz was awarded the Award of Merit as a result of his actions on a deadly house fire on Hay St. Captain Swartz and his partner, without regard to their personnel wellbeing, entered the structure without a hose line, to search for reported occupants trapped inside. Captain Swartz and his partner became overcome by the fire and were forced to bail out of the 2nd floor windows on to the porch roof where other personnel deployed a ladder to get them down.

    Prior to his promotion, Captain Swartz worked at Station 99-5 on the B Platoon. Captain Swartz has been assigned as the Captain on the D Platoon.

    Kevin L. Pflaum
    Promoted to Captain on August 12, 2019

    Before starting his career on August 21st 2000, Captain Pflaum worked for York Federal Bank as a Mortgage Manager. Captain Pflaum is graduate of the HACC Fire Academy.

    Captain Pflaum continues to serve on the York City Pension Board as the Fire Department representative.

    Captain Pflaum has obtained numerous nationally recognized certifications during his career including, EMT, Firefighter I & II, & Fire Inspector I. Captain Pflaum is also a 1990 graduate of Penn State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

    Prior to his promotion, Captain Pflaum worked at Station 99-9 on the A Platoon.  Captain Pflaum has been assigned to the B Platoon.

     

    Adam E. Smith
    Promoted to Assistant Chief on July 29, 2019

    Chief Smith joined the department on August 9, 2010.  He graduated from the HACC Fire Academy in November 2010.

    Chief Smith has obtained numerous nationally recognized certifications during his career including, EMT, Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I & II, Fire Instructor I & II, and Numerous NIMS certification including ICS 300 & 400.  Chief Smith also has an Associates Degree in Firefighter Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in History & Political Science and a Masters of Science in Emergency Management.

    Chief Smith also received a Chief’s Commendation for his role in the Weaver Organ and Piano Building collapse.

    Prior to Chief Smith’s promotion, he was the Captain/Acting Assistant Chief of B Platoon.  Captain Smith will remain on B Platoon.

     

     

  • Retirements

    Assistant Chief Gil Kimes
    Retired on June 1, 2020

    Assistant Chief Kimes was a 28-year veteran of the department. On March 09, 1992, Assistant Chief Kimes​ was appointed to the department as a career member.  Chief Kimes served as a volunteer firefighter with the department prior to joining as a career member.  Chief Kimes retired as the Assistant Chief of the departments Fire Prevention Bureau.    Chief Kimes received numerous Letters of Commendation and a Chief’s Commendation throughout his career.

    Firefighter Darryl Maxfield
    Retired on May 9, 2020

    Maxfield was a 23-year veteran of the department.  On March 10, 1997, Maxfield was appointed to the York City Fire Department as a career member.  Maxfield retired as a firefighter where he was assigned to Station 99-5 on the departments A platoon.  Maxfield received numerous Chief’s Commendations throughout his career and was also the 1998 department Firefighter of the Year.

    Firefighter Bryan Smallwood
    Retired on March 19, 2020

    Smallwood was a 28-year veteran of the department. On March 09, 1992, Smallwood was appointed to the York City Fire Department as a career member.  Smallwood retired as a firefighter where he was assigned to Station 99-2 on the departments D Platoon.  Smallwood received numerous awards throughout his career.

    Firefighter Keith A. Ramsay
    Retired on July 31, 2019

    Ramsay was a 19-year veteran of the department.  On August 21, 2000, Ramsay was appointed to the York City Fire Department as a career member.  Ramsay attended the HACC Fire Academy in 2000. Ramsay retired as a firefighter where he was assigned to Station 99-2 on A Platoon.  Ramsay received numerous awards throughout his career including an Award of Merit in 2007 for a fire on Hay St.

    Firefighter Donald E. Newcomer
    Retired on July 13, 2019

    Newcomer was a 24-year veteran of the department.  On March 6, 1995, Newcomer was appointed to the York City Fire Department as a career member.  Newcomer attended the 12th HACC Fire Academy in 1995. Newcomer retired as a firefighter where he was assigned to Station 99-1 on B Platoon.  Newcomer received numerous awards throughout his career and was the Departments 2001 Career Firefighter of the Year.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • New Employees

    February 24, 2020

    Daniel Messina Daniel Messina comes to the City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services from New York where he is a 2009 graduate of Cornwall Central High School. He has been active in the volunteer fire service since the age of 16 as well as served as an EMT.

    Ryan Krauss Ryan Krauss is a graduate of Dallastown Area High School and earned a Bachelors degree from Lock Haven University. Prior to coming to the department, PFF Krauss was a career firefighter with the St. John’s Fire Dstrict in St. John’s Island, South Carolina.

    PFF Krauss served his Country from 2002 – 2006 in the United States Marie Corp. During his time in the Marines, he served three (3) combat tours oversees.

    August 12, 2019

    Christopher F. McCullough comes to the City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services from Palmyra Pennsylvania where he grew up and has spent his entire life. He has been in the volunteer fire service for 6 years as well as served as an EMT, Aeromedical Communications Specialist, and a Part Time Firefighter.

     

    Tylin D. Firestone was born in York and is a graduate of Central York High School participating in the STEM academy. Prior to coming to the department, Tylin worked for Metal USA. Tylin is currently serving his Country in the United States Army Reserves. Tylin’s family has a history of serving in the York City Fire Department, his Great-Grandfather retired from the department and his father is currently a firefighter with the Department.

     

    Jason Sandmeyer was born in York and grew up in West Manchester Township. PFF Sandmeyer is a 2003 graduate of West York High School and has worked for the City of York for the last seven (7) years as a Parking Enforcement Officer and Property Maintenance Inspector.

     

    September 16, 2019

    John H. Fram, III is a native of York and a graduate of Kennard Dale High School & St. Petersburg, FL Fire School. After graduation from Fire School, he worked as a firefighter/EMT with the Pasco County Fire Department in Florida.

Fire Department Documents & Files

Vacant Property Registration Information Vacant Property Registration Form York City Property Maintenance Code Knox Box Information Sheet Gamewell Box Information Sheet York Thread Specifications Operational Permit Application Operational Permit Fee Chart Fire Safety Inspection Brochure Fire Dept. Annual Report: 2018 Fire Dept. Annual Report: 2019

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