David C. Guthrie

David C. Guthrie, son of Gerald Devol Guthrie (1920–1978) and Esda Ruth Blauvelt Guthrie (1921–2008), was born on January 10, 1948, in North Rose, NY.

I joined the North Rose Fire Department in January of 1966, stepping into a tradition that had shaped my family for generations. My father was chief at the time, and my grandfather, uncles, and older cousins had all served before me. From the time I was about five years old, I knew I wanted to be part of the NRFD. It felt natural — almost inevitable — that I would follow the same path.

Over the years, that tradition continued through my own family. My sons, Sean and Andrew Guthrie, both served in the department. Sean would go on to serve as Chief from 2016 to 2018, while Andrew devoted more than twenty years as Department President. My wife, Ella, also joined the department and served as a firefighter and EMT. Some of my most meaningful memories come from running ambulance calls together with her — a shared commitment to service that strengthened both our marriage and our connection to the community.

My first fire came during the blizzard of 1966 at the Speas vinegar plant, a harsh introduction marked by deep snow, bitter cold, and the urgency of a major industrial blaze. My second fire was Roy Richardson’s barn on Route 414 north of town. Over the years, I responded to many incidents that left lasting impressions: the cold storage fire in 1983, Cahoon’s Nature’s Pleasure in Wolcott, Bremer’s Fire in Clyde, and Sheehan’s wash house, also in Wolcott. Mixed in with those were countless smaller fires and motor vehicle accidents, each one part of the steady rhythm of service that defined my time in the department. One call I’ll never forget involved using our DUKW to recover a body from the canal in Clyde — a reminder of the varied and often difficult tasks rural fire companies face.

Throughout my years of service, I have held nearly every leadership position the department offered. I served as commissioner, lieutenant, captain, both assistant chief roles, and eventually as chief. Looking back, my career reflects not just my own dedication, but the continuation of a family legacy deeply woven into the history of the North Rose Fire Department.