Murray Joint Fire District swears in officers for 2025

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2025 at 9:38 am

District to receive $500K grant for turnout gear, air packs

MURRAY – The Murray Joint Fire District swore in its commissioners and officers on Thursday during an organizational meeting.

The Board of Commissioners will be led by Frank Balys, Jr. as chairman and Scott Harrington as vice chairman.

Balys’s term as commissioner runs to Dec. 31, 2027, while Harrington’s term goes to Dec. 31, 2025. Other commissioners sworn in include David Knapp with 5-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029; Chris Middleton, term expiring Dec. 31, 2028; and Robert Beisang, term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.

The district officers include Richard Cary – Fire Chief; Peter Hendrickson, Jr. – Deputy Chief; Kevin Dann – Assistant Chief; Jeffrey Elsenheimer – Captain; Christopher Chilson – Captain; Christopher Middleton – Lieutenant; Allan Smith – Lieutenant; and Mark Porter – EMS Lieutenant.

Fire Police officers will be sworn in later and include John Morriss as captain and Jerry Wagner as lieutenant.

The fire district was awarded a $500,000 grant on Oct. 25 in an announcement by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Murray was one of 88 entities across the state to receive funding for equipment.

Murray will work to obtain the equipment this year which includes new turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus air packs.