Mayor Kraham Appoints Assistant Chief Edwards To Lead Binghamton Fire Department
— 22-Year Veteran To Take Over As Chief On June 1 —
(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) — Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Tuesday announced his appointment of Assistant Chief Thomas P. Edwards as Binghamton’s next Fire Chief, effective June 1.
Mayor Kraham said: “Tom Edwards has spent the last two decades serving the Binghamton community as a dedicated member of the Binghamton Fire Department. He has extensive first responder experience and a track record as a highly competent leader who prioritizes the safety of his colleagues and the residents they serve. I am confident Tom will continue to lead the Fire Department with diligence, professionalism and fairness, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.”
Assistant Chief Edwards said: “I’m honored to have the privilege to serve the City of Binghamton as its next fire chief. The city, department and I are committed to providing a diverse firefighting force trained to the highest, most progressive levels of skill and professionalism, in service to our community, which so many of us call home.”
IAFF Local 729 President David Holleran said: “IAFF Local 729, the union representing the members of the fire department, would like to commend Mayor Kraham and the City on their selection of Assistant Chief Thomas Edwards to lead the Fire Department. Assistant Chief Edwards is a proven leader, has all of the qualities and qualifications required and has the support of the union’s rank and file. We look forward to working with the soon-to-be chief on moving the Fire Department forward and continuing to provide the residents of the City of Binghamton with the best services possible.”
A 22-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department, Edwards has served as an Assistant Chief since 2024.
He became certified as a New York State paramedic in 2006 shortly after joining the department.
Since 2010, Edwards has served as a New York State certified Fire Instructor, teaching classes to other first responders on live fire training safety, firefighter survival, hazmat response, incident command, rescue technician basics and more.
Edwards has climbed the ranks of the department since joining, stepping into his first leadership role in 2008, when he was promoted to lieutenant. He was named a captain in 2016.
Edwards also served as Broome County Deputy Fire Coordinator from 2017 to 2022.
In his current role as an Assistant Chief, Edwards directs the activities of the Fire Department during his assigned shift, coordinating all fire companies during fires, directing firefighters in lifesaving operations and assuming on-scene command of all firefighting activities as the ranking officer.
He is a graduate of Deposit Central High School and holds Associate of Applied Science degrees in paramedicine and natural resources from SUNY Broome and SUNY Cobleskill.
Edwards and his wife raised their family on Binghamton’s South Side, where they continue to live.
