Longtime County Employee Named Deputy BES Commissioner

Drew Kinash

Drew Kinash has been appointed deputy commissioner of the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services, effective June 8, contingent upon the County Legislature’s approval.

Kinash previously served as manager of the bureau’s fire training center, overseeing operations at the county’s newly rebuilt, state-of-the-art facility. He has also served as a Putnam fire instructor since 1999, helping train generations of firefighters across the county.

A longtime public servant, Kinash previously served with the Fire Department of the City of New York as both a firefighter and fire marshal, and responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He is also a former chief of the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department.

“Drew Kinash has dedicated his life to public service and emergency response,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne, who made the appointment. “His leadership, experience, and commitment to training and preparedness have already had a tremendous impact on Putnam County. Drew understands the importance of supporting our firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and emergency management professionals, and I am confident he will excel in this new leadership role.”

BES Commissioner Jim Oster said Kinash’s decades of operational and instructional experience make him uniquely qualified for the position.

“Drew has earned the respect of the emergency services community throughout Putnam County and beyond,” he said. “He has been instrumental in the success of our fire training center and has spent decades mentoring and training first responders. His knowledge, professionalism, and calm leadership style will be a tremendous asset to the bureau and to the residents we serve.”

Kinash said he is honored to take on the role and continue serving the county’s first-responder community.

“I’m grateful to County Executive Byrne and Commissioner Oster for the opportunity to serve as deputy commissioner,” he said. “Emergency services has been my life’s work, and I look forward to continuing to support the dedicated firefighters, EMS providers, dispatchers, and emergency personnel who protect Putnam County every day. We have an outstanding team at the Bureau of Emergency Services, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”