TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Captain Tim Gilnack has been promoted to the position of Temporary Deputy Chief of the Fairview Fire District, according to Commissioner Andrew Calamari. The district covers roughly 4.5 square miles and includes Marist College, Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, and the former Hudson River Psychiatric facility in their response area.
Calamari, Chairman of the board of fire commissioners said that the promotion was made in advance of the June 26 retirement of Chief Chris Maeder. Tuesday night’s promotion was held without ceremony due to social-distancing requirements but will allow for a “seamless transition” of leaders in one of the county’s busiest fire departments, said Calamari.
“Being named the future Chief of the district is a major accomplishment. I already have a solid foundation with our firefighters and medics from which to build on.” Asked about future plans, the incoming Chief said “I am here to take care of the firefighters and the people in the district. The job calls for doing things the right way, no matter how hard that is, and I plan to act accordingly.”
Gilnack is no stranger to structured environments, having served in the United States Army from 1986 to 1993, including a combat tour during Operation Desert Storm. The Army veteran joined the Fairview department as a career firefighter in 1998. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and then Captain in 2017. Gilnack’s knowledge of both fire service and emergency medical services (certified EMT) made him “A great appointment for the Chief’s position. He will serve this district well for years to come,” noted Calamari.
Retiring Chief Chris Maeder joined the Fairview Fire Department in 1999 and was named Chief in 2011. Maeder and Gilnack both previously served as president of the Dutchess-Fairview Firefighters union, IAFF Local 2623. Of Gilnack succeeding him as Chief, Maeder said “Having worked with Tim in the position of Captain, I am confident that he will be able to transition into the position seamlessly. I look forward to seeing him grow into the position of Chief.” Maeder is leaving professional firefighting to take a position in the private sector.
Fairview firefighter Matt Cobb currently serves as IAFF Local 2623 president called Gilnack’s promotion “A great thing for the district. Captain Gilnack has demonstrated time and time again that he is a qualified leader. We (the members) are excited for him and the future of the Fairview Fire Department.”
Fairview’s previous Chief, Tory Gallante, who later served as Chief of Arlington before retiring, called Gilnack’s appointment “A great decision by the fire commissioners. I worked with Tim for several years and am confident that he will serve the department and the district well. He’s a dedicated and educated professional firefighter that does it all. I wish him well.” The neighboring Poughkeepsie Fire Department works closely with Fairview for mutual aid assignments. Poughkeepsie Chief Mark Johnson said “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Fairview Fire District and wish Chief Maeder well in his future endeavors.”
