Funeral Arrangements Announced for Ret. Broome Fire Coordinator

Funeral services are being announced for Broome County’s long-time Director of Emergency Services and Fire Coordinator, Michael Aswad.

According to an obituary posted by Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home on October 24, calling hours will be held at Saint Francis Assisi Church on Chenango Street, Hillcrest Saturday, November 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass. Masks are required.

According to the obituary, Aswad died Wednesday, October 20 at his home at the age of 71.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar noted Aswad was Broome’s first full-time Fire Coordinator, serving from 1981 until his retirement in 2006. Garnar also credited Aswad with modernizing the County Office of Emergency Services, consolidating dispatch operations and initiating new training programs that have been held as models in other parts of New York State.

Broome County’s emergency services building on Wayne Street in Endwell in 2018 was dedicated as the Michael F. Aswad Emergency Services Special Operations and Training Facility in his honor.

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Aswad was a member of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs and New York State Fire Coordinators Association as well as a member of Hillcrest, Chenango and Port Dickinson Fire Departments. He was also a former volunteer with Broome Ambulance.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Lourdes Hospice 4102 Vestal Rd. Vestal, NY 13850 or The Alzheimer’s Association, CNY Chapter Franklin Sq. Station Box 12226 Syracuse, NY 13218.