Sarah Lockwood: Groton Fire Department’s first female fire chief

At its recent fire department meeting, the Groton Fire Department (GFD) elected its new slate of fire chiefs for the year. Chief Eric DeForrest was reelected for his fourth year. Three more incumbents will also remain in their roles: Deputy Chief Rob Gallinger, 1st Assistant Chief Michael Lockwood and 2nd Assistant Chief Joshua Barron. The sole newbie in the chief ranks is 3rd Assistant Chief Sarah Lockwood.

Sarah is not new to the GFD; she and her husband, Mike, both joined in June 2018. Nor is she new to leadership, having previously moved up the ranks as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Fire Police Captain of the GFD’s Pioneer Hose Company last year. Taking the position as an assistant chief, though, will be new territory for Sarah, and it also makes her the GFD’s first-ever female fire chief.

“I am nervous,” Sarah said. “It’s a big responsibility, but I am also excited! It’s exhilarating and very humbling to know that you can be there for someone’s worst day and be some type of nurturing helping hand.”

DeForrest is grateful that Sarah stepped up to the proverbial plate, particularly given his own excitement about continuing to drive growth and promote change. 

“Groton Fire has had some firsts the last few years, such as an all-women crew that pulled our Pioneer Hose cart during our Olde Home days parade,” DeForrest said. “We also currently have female line officers in our companies. We continue to grow with women in leadership and important roles, both on the fire ground and behind the scenes.” 

Sarah is a Groton High School (GHS) Class of 2000 alumna and was a three-sport athlete (soccer, softball and basketball). She said she “always wanted to be a cop” and also had thoughts of joining the military, although neither worked out for her.

Sarah and Mike rode the school bus together when they attended school (Mike graduated in 1997), and Sarah said that Mike cared for her family’s lawn, but it wasn’t until later in life that they reconnected. They married in July 2004.

The Lockwoods raised their four children, Daimon, Makayla, Sharla and Madison, who all attended Groton Central School. In fact, Madison is currently a junior. While the children were growing up, Sarah ran a home-based daycare business for 10 years.

After her daycare business, Sarah worked for The Shopper for eight years and First National Bank of Groton for three, until she became the head of facilities in July 2024 at Ongweoweh, a Native American-owned pallet company in Ithaca.

“I always wanted to join the fire department but was always so busy with children and activities,” Sarah said. “Eric [DeForrest] coached softball and soccer with Mike and me, and he finally coerced both of us to join.”

Initially, Sarah became an EMT (emergency medical technician) and then went on to take all of the classes she needed to be certified in Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations, Fire Police and Hazmat (hazardous material) Incident Command.

“We have great teamwork, and I think we all do a great job and work well with our mutual aid departments,” Sarah said. “Mutual aid” refers to neighboring departments assisting each other.

“We have a lot of projects on the horizon that are still in the planning stages,” DeForrest added. “I think it’s important to keep our department aligned with our ever-changing society and adapting to increased call volumes. Many calls in 2024 that were once handled within a single department have leaned much more toward the need for mutual aid from our neighboring departments to successfully negotiate calls. Continuing to foster our relationships with our mutual aid departments and learning how to work together is key, as most departments’ volunteer numbers are challenged.” 

DeForrest explained that 2024 was a record year for calls. He said that it is imperative to stay open minded, train hard and continue to answer the call. 

“Our department, in my opinion, is stronger than ever,” DeForrest said. “Although our numbers are slightly on the lean side from where we would like them, we are a well-versed crew capable of any situation that comes up. I am confident that 2025 will be as successful, if not more successful, than 2024. I look forward to continuing to serve my community.”

“I hope I can be a good inspiration to the community and other women who might consider joining the fire department,” Sarah said. “We all work well together and always welcome more.”  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607 227-4922. 

In brief:

Thanks to Scottland Lights!

The Groton Fire Department (GFD) is extremely grateful to John and Beth Scott, who generously collected contributions during their fabulous musical Christmas light show to help fund the GFD’s annual Junior Firefighter Camp. The Scotts were able to present the GFD with $737, thanks to their and the community’s generosity.

Outstanding CTE students

Congratulations to the following Groton students who were recognized as outstanding students of the month for December at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center: David Shea, Heavy Equipment, and Kayla Rooney, World of Work Food Service.

The outstanding students are chosen based on their character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and positive role models.

Free personal care products

The Groton Public Library (GPL) has a variety of household/personal care products supplied by Catholic Charities for those who sign up at the GPL front desk. Requests for items are limited to one bag of five items every two months per household. The available items change over time as items are handed out and new, sometimes different, items are brought in.