Board of Fire Commissioners

The Board of Fire Commissioners is a five-member government who manages the Greenfield Fire District. You can learn more about what a Fire Commissioner’s duties are in the duties section. Additional questions regarding the Greenfield Fire District Commissioners may be forwarded via the contact section, or via their emails listed below.

Michael Chandler, Chairman

Mike joined the Porter Corners fire company in 1997. He served as Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief, as well as a member of Porter Corners Board of Directors before being elected to a five year term as Commissioner in December 2010. His current term runs from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025.

Mike is a lifelong resident of the Town of Greenfield and a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School.  He has worked in the construction field for over 30 years and is currently a superintendent for a local construction company.  Mike has also run M.D. Chandler Trucking for over 15 years.

Mike truly enjoys being a volunteer firefighter, and when time allows, he likes to hunt as well.

You can contact Commissioner Chandler via email at [javascript protected email address].

Jay Ellsworth, Commissioner

Commissioner Ellsworth was elected to the Board at the Annual Election held on December 13, 2022; his term runs from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027.

You can contact Commissioner Ellsworth at the District Office or email him at [javascript protected email address].

William Etson, Commissioner

Commissioner Etson was elected to the Board at the Annual Election help on December 12, 2023; his term runs from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028.  Bill Etson’s business ownership of a larger corporation he started has given him vast experience in the business of purchasing, negotiating contractual terms and the ability to navigate successful multi-party mediation solutions, and his additional skills would be useful as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners.  Bill also joined Greenfield Center Fire Co #1 as a firefighter in March 2022.  If you would like to contact Commissioner Etson, you can leave a message at the district office or email him at [javascript protected email address].

Joseph Russo, Commissioner

Joe is former Cold Spring, Putnam County resident.  He joined the Cold Spring Fire Company in 1969, holding various positions throughout his volunteer career with Cold Spring.  After moving to the Greenfield area, Joe joined the fire district first as a member of Maple Avenue Fire Company in 2016, eventually transferring to Porter Corners Fire Company, where he is currently a safety officer and member of the fire police squad.  In 2019, Joe achieved the milestone of 50 years of volunteer fire service.  Commissioner Russo’s term began January 1, 2020 and ends December 31, 2024.  If you would like to contact Commissioner Russo, you can leave a message at the District Office or email him at [javascript protected email address].

District Chief

Derrick Barss

Chief Barss can be contacted via email at [javascript protected email address], or you can leave a message for him at 518-893-0723.

Fire District Staff

Joyce Petkus, District Administrator/Treasurer

Joyce can be contacted at the District Office at 518-893-0723 x 1 or via email at [javascript protected email address] or [javascript protected email address].

Douglas Olson, Director of Purchasing

For Purchasing inquiries, please contact Douglas at 518-893-0723 x 2 or via email [javascript protected email address].

Deidre Chandler, Operations Secretary

Deidre can be contacted at the District Office at 518-893-0723 x 3 or via email at [javascript protected email address].

Erik Welmaker, PT Maintenance

Please contact Erik at 518-858-1255 or via email at [javascript protected email address].