The Corporation
Social Officers
Rush Fire Department, Inc. is a New York State not-for-profit corporation. Social officers are elected by the membership to run the business side — the books, the bylaws, the bank accounts, the records, and the annual carnival that keeps taxes low and covers what the levy can't.
2026 Social Officers — elected December 2025
Elected by the membership
Officers
All social officers are elected annually by the membership at the December meeting. They manage the corporation's finances, membership records, official correspondence, and fundraising — including the annual carnival.
President
Heidi Sweet
Presides over all corporate meetings of the membership. Acts as the official representative of Rush Fire Department, Inc. in business, legal, and community matters. Chairs the Board of Directors.
Vice President
Zachary DuBois
Assumes presidential duties in the President's absence. Supports committee assignments, membership activities, and coordination across the department's social and operational arms.
Secretary
Diana Pfersick
Records and maintains all meeting minutes, membership records, and official correspondence. Manages new member applications and the department's official records with New York State.
Treasurer
Robert Faugh
Custodian of all department funds. Manages accounts, pays approved bills, and prepares financial statements for membership meetings.
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Kevin Kolmetz
Assists both the Secretary and Treasurer with records, minutes, and financial duties. Assumes either officer's responsibilities when needed.
Chaplain
Rev. Dr. Charles B. Grimm
Provides pastoral support to members and their families. Opens and closes official department meetings and ceremonies.
Governance
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides oversight of the corporation's business affairs between membership meetings. Directors are elected by the membership.
Directors are not individually named on the public website. The board serves the corporation as a whole — if you have a matter for the Board, contact the department through the President or Secretary.
Directors,
elected by the membership
Twelve directors sit on the board. Each is elected by the full active membership. Together with the officers, they govern Rush Fire Department, Inc. as a New York not-for-profit corporation.
12 seats — elected by the membership
Two sides, one department
Social side vs. line side
It's a distinction that confuses people at first. Rush Fire Department has two governance structures operating in parallel — both answering to the same membership.
The line side handles emergency operations — Chief, Assistant Chiefs, captains, lieutenants, EMS, fire police. They command the fireground and are led by a Chief elected by the active membership.
The social side handles corporate governance — President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Board of Directors. They run Rush Fire Department, Inc. as a New York not-for-profit corporation: the finances, the real estate, the legal obligations, and the annual carnival that helps the District fund major purchases and keeps the tax levy down.
Both sets of officers are elected by the membership. Neither side outranks the other — they govern entirely different domains and work together to keep the department healthy on and off the fireground.
Line Side
Emergency Operations
- Chief elected by membership — leads fire and EMS
- Chief appoints captains, lieutenants & specialists
- EMS and Fire Police operate under the Chief
Social Side
Corporate Governance
- Governs the NYS not-for-profit corporation
- President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer & Asst. Secretary/Treasurer
- Board of Directors — 12 seats, elected by membership
- All social officers elected by entire membership
The Carnival
The annual Fire Department Carnival is the department's biggest fundraiser — proceeds help the Rush Fire District cover major one-time purchases and keep the tax levy down. The social officers and Board of Directors plan, manage, and close out the carnival each summer.
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