Just before 3AM on the morning of July 4th, 2025, Broome County Communications dispatched the Conklin Fire Department (46) and surrounding mutual aid to a report of house fire at 21 JR Blvd. Broome County Sheriff's Department and a mutual aid assistant chief arrived a few minutes later with fire showing from windows on the alpha and delta sides of a 1 and a half story wood frame single family residential structure. Chief 46 immediately requested a 2nd alarm be dispatched. A single occupant of the structure met PD at the street upon their arrival.

Once on scene crews from Tower 46 and Squad 46 stretched lines and began fire attack and search operations. Primary searches of the residence were negative, and crews were able to knock down fire in a first-floor bedroom and the bedroom above. Ventilation efforts continued as overhaul began. Several crews from Conklin (46), Kirkwood (38), Town of Binghamton (58), Five Mile Point (59), and Hallstead (Susquehanna County PA) rotated through conducting suppression, search, ventilation, and overhaul operations. During the fire a second call for Conklin was dispatched for a commercial fire alarm at a local business. A standby crew from West Coleville Fire Company (51) handled that call and then was requested to the scene to assist.

During operations Chief 51, James Sitek, suffered a medical emergency and collapsed outside of the structure. Immediate ALS care and CPR was initiated by other firefighters and an EMS crew on standby from Broome Ambulance. Broome Ambulance crew with the assistance of fire personal and Superior Ambulance with an escort from the Broome County Sheriff's Department transported the Chief to Wilson Hospital where staff continued lifesaving efforts. Unfortunately, Chief Sitek would ultimately succumb to this medical event. May you Rest in Peace Chief, we will take it from here.

Operating on scene were Conklin Fire Department, Kirkwood Fire Company, Town of Binghamton Fire Company, Five Mile Point Fire Company, West Colesville Fire Company, Hallstead Fire Company, Broome Ambulance, Superior Ambulance, Broome County Fire Coordinators, Broome County Fire Investigation Team, Broome County Sheriff's Department, New York State Fire, and NYSEG. An origin and cause investigation is being conducted by NYS Fire along with the Broome County Fire Investigation Team. The Broome County Critical Incident Team responded to assist with a briefing at station 46 as well.