MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County’s Director Emergency Services is retiring at the end of February.
Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel announced on Friday that Director John Griffith will retire from his position effective March 1.
Deputy Fire Coordinator Noel Guttman will take over following’s Griffith retirement.
“It has been an honor to work with the first responders of Chautauqua County,” said Griffith in a statement. “I look forward to working with the new director to help him transition into the office.”
Griffith first began his career with the county in April 2012 as a Deputy Fire Coordinator with the Office of Emergency Services.
In October 2017, he was promoted to the position of Director.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffith worked with the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to ensure resources were moved into Chautauqua County so first responders, law enforcement, health care workers, and others had proper and sufficient quantities of Personal Protective Equipment.
“Throughout his eight years of service, John has worked tirelessly to serve and protect the residents and visitors of Chautauqua County,” said Wendel. “His leadership has been especially critical during the current COVID-19 Pandemic where he has worked closely with a magnitude of agencies to prevent and contain the virus.”
“I thank John for his outstanding accomplishments in improving our county’s emergency preparedness and response, and his endless contributions in making Chautauqua County a safer place,” furthered Wendel. “I wish him all the best in retirement.”
In addition to his job with the county, Guttman has been a member of the Mayville Fire Department since 1991.
In his current role as Deputy Fire Coordinator, he led the County’s Technical Rescue Team and Chautauqua Area Search Team (CAST).
Guttman has also served in various law enforcement roles. He previously served as a part-time deputy sheriff with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, police officer with the Lakewood-Busti Police Department, and part-time police officer with the Westfield Police Department.
Most recently, Guttman worked as a police officer with the Chautauqua Institution Police, where he was responsible for police patrol and event security within the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution.
“I look forward to working in this position and continuing to serve Chautauqua County,” said Guttman.
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