“Meet the Member” Gary Heim. Gary comes from a long line of family involvement in the fire service. He had 2 uncles who served over 40 years each in the Swormsville Fire Company. Both his father and brother are past Chiefs in the Clarence Fire Company. Gary moved to Lancaster with his wife, Patricia shortly after they were married in 1976. He has 1 daughter and 1 son who currently has 13 years in the Lancaster Fire Department. Currently, his favorite hobby is watching his 6 young grandchildren learn and grow.

At this stage of his career, he feels a sense of accomplishment that he helped the newer members become fully trained and proficient in all areas of the fire service. Gary feels confident that the Department and Village are in good hands as he begins to step aside.

Gary spent his early years as Lieutenant and then Captain of the Citizens Hose Company. In 1990 He was elected as Assistant Chief and held those jobs until the membership elected him to be their Chief in April 1996. He served as Chief for 2 years, leaving in April 1998. He is currently serving as the Secretary of the Citizens Hose Company, a position that he has held since 1996.

Gary was awarded the Citizens Hose Company Firefighter of the Year in 2015 and again in 2019, Citizens Hose Company Fireman of the Year in 2003, and Fire Department Firefighter of the Year in 2003.