Chief Peter E. Dromms

North Syracuse Fire Department

Date of Death: March 25, 2023

Chief Peter Dromms joined the North Syracuse Fire Department on November 7, 1967, and served his community for 55 years. Over his remarkable career, he held nearly every position in the department, including Chief of Fire from 1979 to 1983, during which he oversaw all operations and the construction of the current fire station. His dedication earned him numerous honors, including Firefighter of the Year, Officer of the Year, and multiple Top Responder awards. Born in Lansingburg on August 9, 1945, he graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1963 and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Allen M. Sumner during the Vietnam War. He later built a 36‑year career with Verizon before retiring. On January 13, 2023, Chief Dromms responded to a structure fire on Chestnut Street with possible entrapment. He was found operating the department’s 95-foot aerial ladder, helping rescue two brothers from a smoke‑filled home. After assisting crews throughout the incident, he suffered a cardiac event and was transported for medical care. After more than two months of fighting, he succumbed to his line‑of‑duty illness on March 25, 2023.