17 of 30 · 20th Fire Chief
Charles W. Tompkins
20th Fire Chief of the North Rose Fire Department
Served 1980–1984
- Member since 1969
- On-scene commander, 1983 Cold Storage fire
- Vietnam veteran
On-scene commander during the 1983 Sodus Cold Storage fire and explosion — the largest incident in department memory.
Charles 'Charlie' W. Tompkins, son of William Ward Tompkins (1920–2001) and Jean E. Pitcher Walker (1923–2013), was born on June 12, 1951, in Lyons, NY.
Charlie is a lifelong resident of North Rose, residing as a child and teen at several locations with his family, and settling on Fifth Road with his wife Linda Anthony Tompkins, also from North Rose, where they live today and have raised three children: Jennifer, Rachel and Jonathan.
Charlie was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970 and ordered to serve in Vietnam as an MP (1971). He was honorably discharged in 1972.
Eager to join the NRFD, Charlie submitted his application as soon as he turned 18 in 1969. He saw this as a significant opportunity to serve his community — a "big deal." Charlie noted that at the time there was an initiation, and that it was rather pleasant: "fun and jokes."
Charlie has always had a strong interest in mechanical operations, making the fire equipment a natural attraction. As a young member he participated in pumper exercises under the direction of Fire Chief Gerald Guthrie. He remembers the challenge and excitement of drafting water from a well using the department's equipment at the location now known as Oak Park Marina.
Occupations
- Al Mead's Gulf Gas Station
- Harry Spade Masonry — an insight into the building trades, working alongside Red Crandall and Bruce Walker, both NRFD men who encouraged Charlie as he rose through the ranks
- Genesee Brewery Malt House, Sodus Point (through 1986)
- Lake Country Storage (1986–1993) — general manager
- Empire Fruit Growers Co-op — general manager, 7 years
- North Rose Methodist Church — volunteer and paid business manager
- Marshall Farms — truck driver, 13 years, retiring January 2014
Department and community service
During Charlie's membership within the NRFD he served as Secretary, President, 2nd Assistant Chief and Fire Chief. Additional community service included the Huron Zoning Board, Councilman (8 years), Town Justice (12 years, part-time), and active engagement supporting the North Rose Methodist Church.
During a short period of unemployment Charlie spent considerable time addressing fire department responsibilities, but subsequent employment inhibited him from performing these duties, and at that time he decided to step away as chief while remaining active in the department. Robert Guthrie served as the relieving fire chief.
Cold Storage fire and explosion, July 1983 — personal narrative
On-scene command: Charles Tompkins, NRFD Chief. Support: Wayne County Fire Coordinator Rick Bond. Mutual aid "all hands": Rose, Clyde, Lyons, Newark, Wolcott and other neighboring companies.
As observed by the on-scene commander upon arrival, extensive black smoke was emanating from the building. Newark Fire Department deployed a large ventilation fan; the assumption was that the fire was contained when it flashed over, resulting in an explosion and extreme release of black smoke which engulfed personnel and equipment under a blanket of soot and debris. This was demoralizing for the crews battling to control the situation.
The DEC expressed alarm regarding the considerable amount of water used and potential environmental impacts. Studies were performed to measure and monitor ground water and the environment for toxic chemicals and particulate matter.
Medical triage: Kenan Baldridge was the First-Aid Captain and staged a triage center on Railroad Ave. When he was overtaken at the scene, David Guthrie took over. Several members required follow-up care and medical transport to local hospitals, including Charlie, who was displaying high heart rates. Bobby Guthrie was First Assistant and Ed Thomas Second Assistant chief at the time.
Equipment deployment: the new NRFD pumper set up on the railroad tracks; Wolcott set up at the end of Railroad Avenue and transitioned to the back (north) side of the storage; the Rose pumper was located at the intersection of Elm Street and Storage Avenue; the Lyons ladder truck, with water relay provided by Rose, was staged to attack the elevator shaft on the south side. Manual ladders were used to access the loading dock roof and attack the elevator shaft from the east, with an attack line from the ground on the north side. External attack only.