Assistant Chief Paul E. Caywood, Sr.

Fabius Fire Department

Date of Death: September 23, 1990

On September 23, 1990, the Fabius Volunteer Fire Department faced the darkest day in its history. Responding to a motor vehicle accident on West Lake Road, 1st Assistant Chief Paul Caywood made several trips up and down a steep embankment to reach a driver pinned in a crashed vehicle. When the rescue truck arrived, Paul walked to the apparatus to brief his crew—and suddenly collapsed. The rescue crew immediately began CPR, and upon the arrival of Smith Ambulance, Paul was transported to the hospital. Despite every effort made on scene and en route, Paul was pronounced dead at the hospital. Paul was 57. Born in Cortland, he had lived in Fabius for 27 years. His name is honored on the Firemen’s Memorial in Syracuse and at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.