CITY OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK

FIRE DEPARTMENT
224 South Massey Street Watertown, New York 13601 (315) 785-7800 Fax: (315) 785-7821 Dale C. Herman, Fire Chief dherman@watertown-ny.gov

MEDIA RELEASE
The City of Watertown Fire Department announces the retirement of Fire Captain Patrick (Bill) Best, a 25 year veteran of the department. Bill joined the department on November 24, 1986, and completed his initial training with classmates Kerry Doane and Paul Windover. During this initial training, the class of three assisted companies at two working structure fires on December 18, at 502 Academy Street and December 19 at 1309 Academy Street. During Fire Captain Bests career as a firefighter, he was recognized for his efforts at the Midtown Towers fire in December of 1989. He was assigned to the Departments Fire Prevention Bureau where he assisted with the Departments open house activities and became a certified fire investigator. On July 4, 1999, Fire Captain Best was promoted to his current rank and was assigned as the Truck Company Officer on C platoon. During this tenure, Bill was recognized as the 2007 Firefighter of the Year by the American Legion Post 61 for his efforts on May 2, 2006, where he actively participated in removing a victim from a second floor smoke filled apartment via a ladder. Bills last working day on the job is scheduled to be October 3, and he will be utilizing vacation time until his retirement date of October 12. Fire Captain Best, his wife and son will be moving to the State of Georgia to be nearer family.

CITY OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK

FIRE DEPARTMENT
224 South Massey Street Watertown, New York 13601 (315) 785-7800 Fax: (315) 785-7821 Dale C. Herman, Fire Chief dherman@watertown-ny.gov

The City of Watertown Fire Department wishes Fire Captain Best and his family good fortune in the future and thank him for his years of dedicated service to the community.