{"id":72787,"date":"2026-02-25T14:51:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=72787"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:51:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:51:15","slug":"batavia-city-fire-chief-makes-a-case-for-the-need-of-a-deputy-fire-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/batavia-city-fire-chief-makes-a-case-for-the-need-of-a-deputy-fire-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"BATAVIA\/City Fire Chief makes a case for the need of a Deputy Fire Chief"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" data-attachment-id=\"72788\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/batavia-city-fire-chief-makes-a-case-for-the-need-of-a-deputy-fire-chief\/chief-graham-still\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Chief Graham still\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?resize=900%2C506&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>City of Batavia Fire Chief Joshua Graham makes a case for the need to hire a Deputy Chief during Monday evening&#8217;s City Council Conference meeting Budget hearing.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Statement from Chief Graham\/Ensuring Sustainable Leadership and Public Safety<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I appreciate the opportunity for members of the public to share their views during the recent budget hearing. Public input is an important part of the process, and I respect that residents care deeply about how the City allocates its resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I would like to provide additional context regarding the proposed Deputy Chief position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Below: video of the City Council Conference meeting on Monday evening, February 23, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"900\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/geBU8_dBfn8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past ten years, our department\u2019s call volume has doubled. Fire prevention activity has also doubled, and we are currently implementing a new inspection program designed to improve consistency, documentation, and community risk reduction. In addition to emergency response and prevention efforts, the department must meet extensive state and federal compliance requirements, maintain mandated training standards, manage reporting obligations, oversee equipment and facilities, and ensure operational readiness at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it has been reported that this position is being requested primarily for inspections, inspections represent only a small part of a much broader organizational need that was discussed during our budget workshops. The Deputy Chief role is intended to strengthen overall operational capacity \u2014 including training oversight, compliance management, strategic planning, continuity of command, and long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our company officers perform their operational responsibilities exceptionally well, and their primary focus must remain emergency response and direct supervision of crews. This proposal is not about an inability to delegate. It is about structuring leadership appropriately as the scope and complexity of the department\u2019s responsibilities continue to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also take fiscal responsibility very seriously. The budget proposal includes measures to offset the cost of this position, and the request was made with careful planning and consideration of long-term financial impact. Our goal is to strengthen the department in a way that is both operationally sound and financially responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, I am confident that my professional experience and record of service demonstrate a commitment to effective leadership, accountability, and stewardship of public resources. Every recommendation brought forward is done with the best interests of the community and the organization in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I remain committed to transparency and continued dialogue. Our shared objective is to ensure the Fire Department is structured to meet today\u2019s demands while preparing responsibly for the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>City of Batavia Fire Chief Joshua Graham makes a case for the need to hire a Deputy Chief during Monday evening&#8217;s City Council Conference meeting Budget hearing. Statement from Chief Graham\/Ensuring Sustainable Leadership and Public Safety I appreciate the opportunity for members of the public to share their views during \u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"continue-reading-button\"> <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/batavia-city-fire-chief-makes-a-case-for-the-need-of-a-deputy-fire-chief\/\">Continue reading<i class=\"crycon-right-dir\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":72788,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4705],"tags":[1491,3310],"class_list":["post-72787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-of-batavia","tag-city-of-batavia-fire-department","tag-joshua-graham"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-iVZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":36631,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/10\/06\/batavia-city-of-batavia-announces-new-fire-chief\/","url_meta":{"origin":72787,"position":0},"title":"BATAVIA\/City of Batavia announces new Fire Chief","author":"aka","date":"October 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Joshua Graham\/Provided photo Press release BATAVIA, NY \u2013 The City of Batavia announces the appointment of Joshua Graham to the position of Fire Chief for the City of Batavia.\u00a0 Graham was selected following an extensive search for candidates and active recruitment campaign.\u00a0 The new Chief will assume his role on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Josh-Graham-Head-Shot-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Josh-Graham-Head-Shot-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Josh-Graham-Head-Shot-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":66978,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/11\/batavia-physical-barriers-put-in-place-at-20-howard-street-create-public-safety-concerns\/","url_meta":{"origin":72787,"position":1},"title":"BATAVIA\/Physical barriers put in place at 20 Howard Street create public safety concerns","author":"aka","date":"August 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"After observing several barriers put into place at the former site of Baskin Livestock at 20 Howard Street last week, the City of Batavia Fire Chief, Joshua Graham, has advised the owner of safety concerns with the placement of the barriers and has sent them a letter about the issue.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;City of Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"City of Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/city-of-batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250811_201639-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250811_201639-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250811_201639-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250811_201639-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250811_201639-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C570&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25821,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/06\/11\/batavia-city-fire-chief-accepts-nys-position-as-deputy-state-fire-administrator\/","url_meta":{"origin":72787,"position":2},"title":"BATAVIA\/City Fire Chief accepts NYS position as Deputy State Fire Administrator","author":"aka","date":"June 11, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"City of Batavia Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano has accepted a job with the State of New York as Deputy State Fire Administrator and will be officially starting with Office of Fire Prevention and Control in mid-July. \u00a0 \"In addition to his service as Chief of the Batavia Fire Department, Chief\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fire-Chief.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fire-Chief.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fire-Chief.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fire-Chief.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fire-Chief.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58829,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/11\/09\/genesee-county-city-of-batavia-howard-street-buildings-go-up-quickly-in-saturday-morning-3-alarm-blaze\/","url_meta":{"origin":72787,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/City of Batavia\/Howard Street buildings go up quickly in Saturday morning 3 alarm blaze","author":"aka","date":"November 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SjHNx-3y760 Video story-City of Batavia Fire Chief Joshua Graham, City Manager Rachael J. Tabelski and Director of Public Works, Tom Phelps update on the Saturday morning fire on Howard Street that was called in to 911 dispatchers about 7:47am. Submitted photo Chris Parker Submitted photo Tarez Lee Odom","rel":"","context":"In &quot;City of Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"City of Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/city-of-batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_2432-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_2432-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_2432-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_2432-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_2432-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26608,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/07\/09\/batavia-city-workers-and-the-community-gather-at-fire-headquarters-to-say-goodbye-to-chief-napolitano-on-his-last-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":72787,"position":4},"title":"BATAVIA\/City workers and the community gather at Fire Headquarters to say goodbye to Chief Napolitano on his last day","author":"aka","date":"July 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kL1-fWTo2Yo \u201cThe City of Batavia Fire Department wishes to congratulate Chief Napolitano on his appointment to Deputy StateFire Administrator. Chief Napolitano has been an asset to the City Fire Department since being appointed in 2017.We wish him continued success and look forward to working with him in his new position.\u201d\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/still-chief.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/still-chief.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/still-chief.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41447,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2023\/04\/11\/batavia-elevated-fire-weather-concerns-for-this-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":72787,"position":5},"title":"BATAVIA\/Elevated fire weather concerns for this week","author":"aka","date":"April 11, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Today and through the remainder of the week we will have above normal temperatures along with gusty winds. These winds could reach as high as 40 MPH, that along with a dry air mass, relative humidity lowering to 25 percent and dry dead brush makes a prime situation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chief-Graham-still.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72787"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72791,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72787\/revisions\/72791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}