Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Recognizes the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department’s 150th anniversary and its volunteer service as essential, cost-effective protection for the community.

ADOPTED

Summary of Bill J02099 (Senate Resolution No. 2099)

Purpose and intent

This bill commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department.

It honors the service and contributions of volunteer firefighters in New York State, highlighting the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department as a longstanding, vital community protective resource.

Key provisions and changes

Proclaims the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department’s 150th anniversary and recognizes its history, mission, and ongoing service.

Acknowledges the department as the primary fire and rescue agency for the Village of Sleepy Hollow, noting its 5.1 square miles service area and a population over 10,000.

Reiterates the department’s capabilities, including fire suppression, vehicle extrication, surface water and ice rescue, rapid intervention, and other emergency responses.

Affirms the department’s mission to protect life and property, respond professionally and courteously, promote public education and code enforcement, and uphold ethical values.

Expresses gratitude for the volunteer firefighters’ service without compensation, emphasizing their impact on community safety and potential effects on local insurance and tax considerations.

Calls for public recognition of volunteer fire departments, their officers, and auxiliaries, and for public acknowledgment of their heroic work.

Who or what would be affected

The Sleepy Hollow Fire Department and its volunteers are the primary subjects of recognition.

The Village of Sleepy Hollow and its residents, who benefit from the department’s services, are highlighted in the resolution.

The bill emphasizes broader recognition by the New York State Legislature for volunteer fire departments statewide.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Sponsor: Senator Stewart-Cousins (Co-sponsor: Andrea Stewart-Cousins).

Passage history:

Referred to Finance (May 14, 2026).
Reported to Calendar for consideration and adopted (May 19, 2026).

Effective action: The bill is a concurrent legislative resolution recognizing and commemorating the anniversary, with the commemorative action formally recorded in the State Legislature. The celebration date recognized is May 16, 2026.

Additional context

The text frames volunteer firefighters as essential, cost-effective community protectors who contribute to public safety without taxpayer-funded salaries.

The resolution serves as a formal accolade rather than creating new statutory obligations or funding. It underscores respect, gratitude, and public acknowledgment for the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department and similar volunteer units across New York.