Sleepy Hollow Swears in Fire Department Chiefs, Officers

Last night, members of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department had their annual swearing in ceremony for chiefs and officers.

Each year, the assistant chiefs move up the ranks to rotate out those at the top.

This year, Chief Engineer William Hennessey Sr. stepped down as head of the department; he will remain a Deputy Chief of Columbia Hose Company. Hennessey has served as Chief Engineer on three occasions in his career.

"I want to thank everyone for supporting me over the last two years," he said. "And I know you'll all help out John (Korzelius) and the rest of the assistants like you did me."

Korzelius became the Chief Engineer of the department last night, while Billy Ryan became the First Assistant Chief and Patrick Haggerty became the Second Assistant Chief. Haggerty was confirmed as the new Second Assistant Chief in February.

Members of the department honored Hennessey with an elaborate ceremonial ax engraved with his name, and joked that he might replace the head of the piece with a golf club. 

After swearing in the new chiefs and the deputy chiefs, Mayor Ken Wray proceeded to do the same for the company officers serving in Sleepy Hollow Fire Patrol, Pocantico Hook and Ladder Company Ladder 38, Rescue Hose Company, Union Hose Engine Company and Columbia Hose Company.

A video summarizing the ceremony is attached to this piece.