Yonkers Fire Commisioner
William Fitzpatrick is one of six children born in Yonkers to Thomas and Margaret Fitzpatrick. He traces his Irish roots to Counties Waterford and Monaghan through his great grandparents, who immigrated to the United States in the 1860’s.
He was educated at Sacred Heart Elementary and High Schools.
William joined the Yonkers Fire Dept in 1979, beginning at Station 3 on Vark Street. Later, as Lieutenant, among his assignments were Instructor at the Probationary Academy and Hazardous Materials Instructor. He was also assigned to Tower Ladder 71 on School Street. As Captain, he was Commanding Officer of Hazardous Materials Squad 1, and later CO of the newly formed Rescue Company. On September 13, 2001, William was promoted to Assistant Chief, and assigned as Asst. Chief of Training and Special Operations. In 2004, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Operations, and retired at that position in December 2011, after serving Yonkers for 32 years. He has earned Class 1 and 3 awards, a Class B award, and numerous unit citations. He also participated in rescue efforts at Ground Zero.
In January 2024, William was appointed the 15th Commissioner of the Yonkers Fire Department. Commissioner Fitzpatrick continues to lead the Department he served so well, and from which his father and three brothers retired. He is grateful for this opportunity to serve again, and has expressed pride in the high standards met by the members of the Department, as when, for example, years of preparation and teamwork earned Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response accreditation, the highest level in New York State.
He has a long relationship with the Yonkers Firefighters Pipes and Drums, and is an honorary member. He is a member and former President of Yonkers Fire Department Holy Name Society.
In 1989, William was an Aide to the Grand Marshal in our Yonkers St. Patrick’s Parade. In 2012, he represented the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies, as Aide to the Grand Marshal in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
He has been active in the community, with organizations like the North Yonkers Boys and Girls Club, and coaching girls’ softball for 10 years.
William and Debi, his wife of almost 42 years, reside in Yonkers, where they raised their three children: Meagan, Tara and William Jr., and their five grandchildren: Gabriella, Gianna, Fiona, William III and Lucy. They are parishioners of St. Anthony’s.