Family and Firefighters from across the Southern Tier of NY and Northern Tier of PA gathered on July 9th and 10th to pay their respects to Fallen Fire Chief James Sitek of the West Colesville Fire Company. Chief Sitek succumbed to a medical emergency while operating on scene of a house fire in the Town of Conklin during the early morning hours of July 4th. Chief Sitek had served in the fire service for over 40 years including a few years in Halfmoon Fire Department before moving to the Binghamton area and joining the West Colesville Fire Company where he spent over 35 years. Chief Sitek worked for the IBM Corporation for may years and had many accomplishments in running and rowing. Chief Sitek leaves behind his wife, 4 children, 3 dogs, and many other family members along with his West Colesville Fire Company family. May you Rest in Peace Chief, we will take it from here.

Obituary: James G Sitek Obituary July 4, 2025 - DeMunn Funeral Home

LODD Announcement by Broome County Office of Emergency Services

Broome County Office of Emergency Services

July 4 at 2:32?PM 

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Firefighter Line of Duty Death – Broome County

The West Colesville Fire Company along with the Broome County Office of Emergency Services are saddened to announce the line of duty death of West Colesville Fire Company Fire Chief James Sitek, who passed away while assisting at the scene of a residential fire in the Town of Conklin early this morning.

On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 2:53am, the Broome County 911 Center received a call reporting a possible house fire at 21 JR Blvd in the Town of Conklin. Crews from the Conklin, Five Mile Point and Town of Binghamton fire departments as well as Broome Ambulance were dispatched to the scene while Kirkwood and Hallstead, Pennsylvania Fire Departments were placed on stand-by.

First arriving units at the fire scene found a residence with heavy fire and immediately called for a second alarm response, bringing firefighters from the Kirkwood, West Colesville, West Windsor and Hallstead fire departments to the scene. All occupants were reported to be out of the residence with one suffering light burns to the legs. Firefighters battled the fire and were able to bring it under control in under an hour. Firefighters then continued their work to make certain there were no leftover pockets of fire in the residence.

During the course of the incident, Fire Chief James Sitek, who had responded to the fire scene with the West Colesville Fire Company, suffered an apparent medical emergency. Medical care was immediately rendered by emergency personnel at the scene and he was transported to Wilson Hospital by Broome Ambulance where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Jim was a 35-year volunteer firefighter of the West Colesville Fire Company. He held many roles and most currently served as the Fire Chief for the past 3 years.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Broome County Fire Investigation Office, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the Broome County Sheriffs Office.