William Horton Appointed to be Next Newburgh Fire Chief

NEWBURGH – Assistant Chief William Horton will be appointed to the role of Fire Chief effective January 3, 2020. The change in leadership is part of the City’s operational adjustments related to the 2020 budget and will prioritize better planning and preparation within the Fire Service.

Mayor Torrance Harvey stated, “I am pleased to announce Bill will serve as our next Fire Chief. The experience he brings to the table speaks for itself. I am confident that his leadership will bring our Department to the next level.”

The appointment will be granted provisionally pending results from the Civil Service exam held last month. AC Horton’s term as Chief will immediately follow the departure of Acting Chief Terry Ahlers, who is scheduled to retire on January 2, 2020. The City of Newburgh wishes to extend its gratitude to Acting Chief Ahlers for his tenure within the Fire Department, and welcome Chief Horton into his new role with the City.

City Manager Joseph Donat stated, “Chief Horton is a dedicated public servant who leads by example. His experience and resiliency have prepared him to make an immediate contribution as Chief. Bill brings both academic and real life experience to the job, and is the best possible candidate to lead Newburgh’s Bravest.”

Chief Horton has been employed by the City since 2003, and has worked his way up the ranks to the position of Chief. Bill is a Nationally Certified Fire Officer, New York State Fire Instructor and Code Enforcement Officer, and has most recently served as Building Inspector for the City of Newburgh.

Chief Horton stated, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity in providing leadership in the Fire Department focusing on the ever increasing demands of providing a safe and secure community for our residents and employees. Addressing the deficiencies in the Department’s apparatus, facilities and staffing will be the first steps in better positioning the Newburgh Fire Department to meet current and future challenges faced by first responders across the Nation. I was born here, grew up here and have built my professional career in the City of Newburgh. Good government and strong communities are synonymous with public safety and I’m excited to bring the resources of the Newburgh Fire Department to bear on the redevelopment and revitalization of Newburgh.”

Horton earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University at Buffalo, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Emergency Management from John Jay College in Manhattan, and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. During his time at John Jay, Bill focused his studies on critical improvements to the fire service, including both consolidation and regionalizing of departments.