The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has named David Mortensen, past chief of the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department, its 2026 Fire Safety Educator of the Year in recognition of more than three decades of dedication to fire prevention education.
Mortensen, who now serves as chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Branchport Keuka Park Fire District, has spent more than 30 years teaching children and families throughout the Finger Lakes how to prevent fires and respond safely during emergencies.
He launched organized fire safety education programs in the early 1990s at Branchport Elementary School, where generations of students came to know him as “Fireman Dave.” His presentations focused on home escape planning, smoke alarm awareness, staying low to avoid smoke during a fire and other life-saving emergency response techniques.
Although Branchport Elementary later closed due to school district consolidation, Mortensen continued his work by expanding the program into the Penn Yan Central School District. Supported by the Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department, firefighters, EMS personnel and fire apparatus, the hands-on programs have continued to reach area students several times each year.
Over the years, Mortensen broadened his outreach to include homeschool groups, summer camps around Keuka Lake and schools within the local Mennonite community, helping ensure fire safety education reached children throughout the region.
He also developed ice safety programs that teach cold-water survival, ice thickness awareness and self-rescue techniques tailored to the unique winter conditions found in the Finger Lakes.
Department officials say Mortensen’s commitment has kept fire prevention education active, relevant and accessible across multiple generations, making him a deserving recipient of FASNY’s 2026 Fire Safety Educator of the Year Award.
