William J. Wren, a firefighter with 40-plus years in the Fire Service - 28 years with the New Hartford Fire Department and previously 14 years with Mohawk Fire Department - is the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York’s (FASNY) Fire Safety Educator of the Year.
The award honors the best fire safety advocates in New York state, recognizing an educator with dedication to fire prevention and the safety of his or her community. The presentation was held on Thursday, June 23, at the New Hartford Fire Department.
Wren has been an Instructor at the NYS Fire Academy since 1999. He has been active in fire prevention education for students from kindergarten through sixth grade, arranging fire house tours and providing fire safety education to the general public throughout his long career.
The New Hartford Fire Department's Fire Prevention Program Committee reviewed the community’s elementary schools and discovered that once a student reaches junior high school there is a void in fire prevention education. Recognizing the importance of ONGOING fire prevention education, William sought to develop a special program to fill that gap. He has invested many hours working on a unique fire prevention program specifically tailored for junior and senior high school students.
Simultaneously, he developed a second program specifically for high school seniors who are preparing to graduate and enter college, as they will be experiencing new surroundings, situations and probably encountering new safety hazards.
With both programs receiving the support and backing of the superintendent and principals of New Hartford’s two high schools, presentations were made not only to the students in grades seven through 12, but also to the teachers.
In addition to the elementary and high schools, William and committee members have presented a number of audience-specific fire prevention programs to various youth groups, senior citizens and civic organizations. New Hartford FD fire prevention programs have reached over 2,500 students and more than 300 adults. These figures do not include the various public displays and individuals providing information during Fire Prevention Month at various shopping malls within and outside the fire district.
In 2011, William received the William G. Martin Iron Man of the Year award, one of the highest honors the New Hartford FD presents. The award recognizes a volunteer firefighter who is ever ready, ever willing and ever present to serve the community.
William has served as State Fire Instructor for 20 years in Oneida County where he has trained members of every fire department within the county, and many others. Everyone who knows William has tremendous respect for him not only as a fellow firefighter, but also as an outstanding citizen who truly cares about the safety of his community, its citizens, his department and all firefighters.
Wren is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran. He retired from a 36-year career with the NYS Thruway Authority, as a Thruway Plaza Manager.
About FASNY: Founded in 1872, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the interests of the nearly 105,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State.
For more information, visit www.fasny.com
