Piseco Fire Chief Steve Woehrle, a retired police officer and 9/11 responder, died in the line of duty

PISECO, N.Y. — Hamilton County fire officials are mourning the line-of-duty death of Piseco Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Woehrle, who died while serving his department.

The department said Woehrle died on July 20 while responding to an alarm and asked the community to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.

| BETTER EVERY SHIFT: Captain Jim Barnhart: Today’s fires demand a hazmat mindset

Woehrle’s obituary said he began his fire service career at 18 and later served as Elmsford fire chief, police sergeant and acting police chief before retiring in 2009.

After moving to Piseco in 2019, Woehrle joined the volunteer fire department despite ongoing health problems linked to his 9/11 response. He was named chief in 2024.

Details about Woehrle’s cause and nature of death were not reported.

A national survey will help NIOSH improve how human factors are evaluated in firefighter line-of-duty death and serious injury investigations

July 21, 2026 04:43 PM

 · 

The Oakland Fire Department limited wildfire vegetation inspections to public property after firefighters reported attacks and intimidation

July 21, 2026 11:06 AM

 · 

Los Angeles firefighters responded after a suspect allegedly set fire to a townhome during a domestic violence standoff

The Eldridge City Council voted to assume control of the department despite opposition from firefighters, who warned the move could lead to volunteer departures

Bidding closes July 1 at 2 p.m. for the NASCAR champion’s “Helmet of Heroes” from the 2026 DAYTONA 500