Whitesboro, N.Y. — Deputy Chief Joseph Lenhardt has been honored with the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York’s 2021 Fire Service Community Achievement Award.
This award honors volunteer firefighters who have the courage to face danger and the heart to help out in their communities. Lenhardt has been a part of the volunteer fire service in both the New Hartford Fire Department and Whitesboro Fire Department for 20 years total.
The following information regarding Lenhardt’s background has been provided by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.
“Joe Lenhardt epitomizes the word ‘volunteer’ and what that word means to a community that has been stricken by five major floods over the past seven years,” said George Massarotti, Whitesboro Fire Department Chief.
Lenhardt served in the New Hartford Fire Department for 14 years, working himself up through the ranks into an assistant fire chief position. While in New Hartford, he prided himself on helping others, whether it was a new member learning the ropes or a veteran firefighter wanting to become more proficient.
Immediately after joining the Whitesboro Fire Department in 2016, he made a positive impact in many areas, but his true niche was training and educating firefighters and helping those in need. Lenhardt became an active member as a line officer and served on the board of directors. He assisted in the recruitment of new members and had a knack for making them feel wanted.
Seeing that the youth program and new member mentor programs needed some help, Lenhardt became the mentor program leader. The renewed program was an instant success right from the beginning. Whitesboro firefighters who attend New York State training classes receive high praise for their incoming firefighting techniques, which is a tribute to Lenhardt’s untiring dedication to this program.
As a member of the board of directors, he has worked tirelessly around the fire station renovating rooms, painting hallways, and using his building crafts to make the fire station what it is today.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he stepped up to help with raising funds for day-to-day operations. Lenhardt also encouraged his mentor students to take an active role in department fundraising events, which helped build their pride and increase their love of the volunteer fire service.
“Joseph believes in the mission of our fire department and the ideals of any veteran that served this country,” said Massarotti. “In the words of our late President John F. Kennedy, ‘As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.’ Joseph Lenhardt truly lives by the words he so often shares.”
