31. George Arnold Kunz (1947-1948)
Served 1 Year
George Kunz was born on March 7, 1897, in the hamlet of Hicksville and is the son of Louis and Rosina (Bauman) Kunz. George married Helen Nelsen. He owned his own butcher store and lived at 163 Woodbury Road, 17 Spruce Street and 30 Lowell Street. George originally joined the Hicksville Fire Department as a member of Independent Engine and Hose Company 2 in August of 1918 and was given badge 66. He transferred to the new chartered Emergency Company 5 in September of 1928.
George was elected as the 5th Captain in 1935, without ever serving as either 2nd or 1st Lieutenant. His officers in 1935 were Lawrence Small (1st Lieutenant) and George Engel (2nd Lieutenant).
George was elected as the 31st Fire Chief in 1947 through 1948. His Assistant Chiefs were Fred Masters (1st) and Daniel Munch (2nd). In 1947 a 60-year-old woman died from smoke after becoming trapped in a closet in her home located on 13th Street, near East Avenue. It appeared that woman was woken from her sleep and attempted to escape the smoke. She must have become confused and disoriented. Upon entering the rear vestibule there were two doors, one to the exterior, the other to a closet. She entered the closet and could not find her way out and died of smoke inhalation. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the County Coroner.
A fire broke out at the butcher shop of Kollner’s Inc. at 97 Broadway. The fire originated in the refrigerating system of the shop when it was discovered, but not before it caused considerable damage.
George was a member of the Drill Team, and he was a Charter member of the Exempts Firemen’s Benevolent Association. He served as Labor Day Parade and Drill Chairman in 1948. Additionally, he was a member of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), Nassau County Firemen’s Association (NCFA) and South Shore Firemen’s Association (SSFA).
George was elected Water Commissioner in July of 1955, when Commissioner Colthurst decided to step down that July. He received 657 votes during an election which saw a record-setting turnout. He ran on the platform urging the controversial fluoridation question be decided by a public referendum and not forced on by local officials.
By the end of his term, the Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution that would only allow Chiefs to serve no more than two consecutive years.
George gave 34 years of active service to the Hicksville Community before requesting Honorary status on May 7, 1962.
Chief Kunz passed away on September 1, 1969, with full Department Services and is interred at Plain Lawn Cemetery.
George Kunz is pictured here in 1928 as a Charter Member of Emergency Company 5
