32: Who Picks the Fire Chief?

In March 1986, city manager John P. Buckley wanted to bypass the civil service list to appoint his preferred candidate for fire chief. What happened next?

We revisit a closed door meeting at city hall between Buckley and three potential candidates to lead Troy’s fire department, and the decision by one officer to go public with the request.

This special archive spotlight episode uses reporting from the Times Union, Knickerbocker News, Troy Record, and Times Record, recording plus audio from recent promotion and retirement ceremonies for then-Chief Eric McMahon.

Show Notes:

• Troy Fire Chief 'Doffs' Hat; "Rescue" of Ungrateful Feline Toughest Ordeal in 38-Year Career (Knickerbocker News, March 1, 1986)
• Firefighter: Buckley Asked 3 Candidates to Forefeit Chief's Job (Times Union, March 6, 1986)
• New Fire Chief Takes Over in Troy (Times Union, June 13, 1986)
• Fireman Climbed Ladder to Success; New Troy Fire Chief Worked Way Through Ranks Against Father's Advice (Knickerbocker News, June 13, 1986)
• McMahon Sworn in as Troy fire chief (Troy Record, March 8, 2019)
• ‘Be safe’: Troy Fire Chief McMahon says goodbye after 34 years (Troy Record, Nov. 4, 2023)

Audio Sources:

• Troy Fire Chief Promotion Ceremony (YouTube)
• Fire Chief McMahon Retires with 34 Years of Service to the City of Troy (YouTube)
• Troy fire dept. 1980s audio (YouTube)
• Troy Fire Department Battalion Chief 4, Engine 4, Truck 2 & Rescue Squad Responding (YouTube)
• Troy Fire Department Rescue Squad Responding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EU0OTw40ds
• Typewriter https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-typewriter-301419/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

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