Deputy Chief Thomas J. Wutz Sr.’s fire service career spanned over 50 years and multiple organizations, both with the volunteer and career fire service.

Chief Wutz’s volunteer fire service included the Hutchison Hose Company in Williamsville, New York (1968-1972), Niagara Engine Company #6 in Schoharie, New York (1973-1986), and finished with the Midway Fire Department in Colonie, New York (1986-2000). He served as chief of department in Schoharie (1975-1980), lieutenant in Midway (1994-1996), and fire commissioner in Midway (1989-1996). Chief Wutz was active in both the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC).

He proudly served in the New York Air National Guard at Stratton AFB in Schenectady, New York, from 1976-2001.

He started as a fire instructor for the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) in 1982 and rose through the ranks to become deputy chief of the Fire Services Bureau. During his time at OFPC, Chief Wutz was instrumental in the creation and deployment of both the New York State Incident Management Team (IMT) and the New York State Urban Search and Rescue Team (NYRRT-1). It was in this capacity that he responded to and operated at the World Trade Center after the attacks on September 11, 2001. Chief Wutz and his team worked in the rescue and recovery efforts in the early days of the operations at Ground Zero.

After 9/11/2001, during the rebuilding efforts of the FDNY, both of Chief Wutz’s sons became firefighters with the FDNY. His son Thomas joined in 2002 and is currently the captain of Ladder Company 29 in the South Bronx. His son Jared joined in 2006 and is currently a firefighter in Engine Company 84 in Washington Heights, Manhattan.

As a result of his tireless work and effort at Ground Zero, Chief Wutz succumbed to World Trade Center related illness on July 15, 2023.