Chief Adam Snyder

Chief Adam Snyder, 46, of Morehead City, North Carolina, answered his last alarm at 1648 hours on Monday, March 11, 2019, while a patient at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia, following a skiing accident.

There will be a memorial service held on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at 3 p.m. at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557.

Adam was born May 27, 1972 in Bay Shore, New York, a son to Alfred R. and Karen A. Snyder.

Adam attended schools in the Connetquot School District in New York, and in 1990 graduated from Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Florida. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a rescue swimmer and received his paramedic training after discharge. He furthered his education with Associates Degrees in Fire Protection Technology and Emergency Medical Science from Coastal Carolina Community College.

Adam’s career in Public Safety in North Carolina spanned 22 years. He was hired as a paramedic with Onslow County EMS in 1997 and also worked as a lifeguard with the town of Atlantic Beach. Adam was hired full time as a FF/EMT for the Atlantic Beach Fire Department (ABFD) in 1999. His hard work, dedication, and leadership qualities were recognized; Adam was promoted to Lieutenant in 2002, Captain in 2003, and Deputy Fire Chief in 2004. In 2005, he was appointed to the position of Chief of Fire/EMS for the Town of Atlantic Beach, a position Adam would hold for 15 years.

Not one to idly sit by and maintain the status quo, Chief Snyder always strived to leave the fire service better than he found it. He managed and led 68 full and part-time staff, volunteers, and seasonal lifeguards in both their day to day routine and in moving the ABFD forward. Under his leadership, the ABFD increased service levels to provide 1 engine, 1 engine/ladder, 1 medium rescue, 2 paramedic EMS units, 1 paramedic ocean rescue, 2 watercraft rescue units, and 2 ATV rescue units. In addition, the ABFD expanded services that led to many “firsts” in Carteret County. These include the first medium duty rescue company, first NC certified Ocean/Surf Rescue Agency in county, first NC certified Confined Rescue Agency, first NC certified High Angle Rescue Agency, first IANTD Public Safety Dive Rescue/Recovery Team, and the first Pipes & Drums. The ABFD also created the first Technical Rescue Deep-Water dive team in the State of North Carolina, and also developed and implemented the Atlantic Beach Junior Lifeguard Program.

Chief Snyder was also heavily involved in the education of EMTs, paramedics, and Firefighters both in the County and the State. Despite his administration duties, Chief Snyder led from the front, remaining active in training, fire suppression, and patient care. He was personally driven to help those in need in his community. After death Adam continued to give to others, donating his organs and spreading life as his came to an end.

In his spare time, Adam enjoyed motorcycle rides and rebuilding motorcycles and even souped up his son Justin’s bike with a motor. Some of his fondest memories and most fun adventures were on the road with his friends. He looked forward to duck hunting with his family and friends. Vacations, vacations, vacations! Bring on that cruise, he always had to have the next trip planned! Adam always enjoyed bringing his wife Stacie coffee in bed and cooking for her, knowing that she was helpless, even dangerous, in the kitchen. And, he not only didn’t mind, but secretly enjoyed shopping with Stacie.

Adam is survived by his wife Stacie Snyder, his sons Justin Snyder and John Michael McGinty, his parents Al and Karen Snyder, his sister Chrissy Boehm, and his brother Scott Snyder.

In lieu of flowers, his family has asked that donations be contributed to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation (www.ncfff.org) or the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center (https://www.med.unc.edu/ surgery/burn/).

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.