Mayor Michael Helfrich announces the retirement of Chief William Sleeger Jr. after 33 years of service with the City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services, effective January 18, 2026. “I thank Chief Sleeger and his family for the decades given to serve and protect our residents, our property, and the City of York,” said Mayor Helfrich. “A job well done.”
Chief William H. Sleeger, Jr. started with the Department on March 9, 1992. Prior to his appointment with the department, Chief Sleeger served our country as a member of the United States Navy. He graduated from the 6th HACC fire academy and was assigned to A Platoon as a firefighter. He was promoted to Captain on May 30th, 2015, and served as the Captain on A Platoon. He was promoted to Assistant Chief January 11, 2019, and served as the Assistant Chief of B Platoon. Chief Sleeger was promoted to Deputy Chief on March 25, 2019; served as Acting Chief March 26, 2021; and was sworn in as Chief of the Department on July 26, 2021.
Chief Sleeger has achieved numerous certifications throughout his career. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Assoc., and the York County Fire Chiefs Assoc.
Chief Sleeger is a decorated member of the department receiving numerous awards throughout his career:
- A Chiefs commendation in 1994 for performing CPR on a victim of cardiac arrest while on vacation at Busch Gardens.
- Named the Department’s 1997 Firefighter of the Year.
- In 1998, he was awarded for the rescue of an elderly lady trapped on the second floor of a fire on Pattison St.
- In 2004, at a motor vehicle accident with entrapment while treating a victim of a car accident, the operator was reaching for a handgun in his pocket. Chief Sleeger was able to secure the handgun and assisted police with handcuffing the suspect.
- While on duty in May of 2015, he was awarded for his role in working under a chaotic and dangerous scene, treating two victims suffering from gunshot wounds after a large fight broke out in front of Station 2.
- In 2016, Chief Sleeger was part of a crew that rescued a civilian who was struck and pinned by a vehicle.
- He also received a Chief ‘s commendation for his role in the rescue of trapped firefighters at the collapse at the Weaver Organ and Piano Building in 2018.
- He received awards from the Red Cross and the Knights of Columbus for his service.
Chief Sleeger is a part of a family committed to the safety of York City. He is a 4th generation York City firefighter and his late father served the city as a police officer. His brother Chuck is a retired York City firefighter.
Chief Sleeger is a York City native and has been married to his wife Vicki for over 30 years. They have two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel.
Deputy Chief Adam E. Smith has been named as Acting Fire Chief
