Westchester County Department of Emergency Services

09/11/2026

Earlier today, we reflected on the response and service of the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services on September 11, 2001.

We now invite you to hear directly from five DES employees who were serving at the department that day. Lt. Gina DiLeo, Deputy Commissioner Michael Volk, Joyce Cole, Abey Cherian, and Victoria Duval share their personal memories of that morning, the department’s response, and what the experience taught them about service, responsibility, and the people who answer the call during our darkest moments.

We are grateful to them for sharing their stories and helping us preserve this important chapter in our department’s history.

We remember those whose lives were lost. We honor those who responded and served. We will never forget.

Video link:

Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, m...

09/11/2026

Twenty five years ago, as the unimaginable unfolded on September 11, 2001, the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services responded.

Our employees watched as emergency responders mobilized, communications operators coordinated critical communications, and personnel left to assist wherever they were needed. The Emergency Operations Center was activated and staffed, while employees worked extended hours to ensure that our communities, first responders, and partner agencies had the support they needed.

There was fear and uncertainty, but there was also an unwavering sense of responsibility to our community, our friends, our neighbors, and one another. People remained at their posts and answered the call to serve.

That is the heart of this department and the emergency responders with whom we are honored to work. In our darkest moments, they step forward selflessly, courageously, and without hesitation. They help others and find a way toward the light.

Several DES employees who served that day are still with the department. We honor their service, their strength, and what it took for them to continue working while confronting the enormity of what had happened.

On this 25th anniversary, we remember those whose lives were lost, honor all who responded, and thank every emergency responder who continues to answer the call. Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment remain a source of strength and pride. You remind us that, even in the darkest hours, there are always people willing to carry the light.

09/10/2026

Department of Emergency Services welcomes the Career Academy Class 02-2026.

The 40 career fire recruits who just entered the Westchester County Career Chiefs Fire Academy on Tuesday are all geared up and ready to go!

These recruits will undergo 21 weeks of intensive training under the leadership of Academy Director Lt. Domenick DiRienzo of the Eastchester Fire Department and Executive Officer. Lt Patrick MacLennan of Peekskill Fire Department

DES is proud to host and support the Career Chiefs Fire Academy and the members of Class 02-2026.

These recruits will be challenged in many ways in the classroom and on the drill yard in the coming months. We wish them continued success on their journey to a career in the fire service.

Welcome to the Fire Service!

CFA Class 02-2026
GREENVILLE: Steven DiNapoli

FAIRVIEW: Travis Cowles, Karam Saraireh -

LAGRANGE: Hudson Lovell, Ryan Prichet

LAKE MOHEGAN:Dominick Catalfamo, Christopher Murphy,Jacob Polay, John Ramos

MOUNT VERNON:Allen Ayers IV,Markquell Bartley,Clayton Cassious Blayton,Umar Coates,Justin Diaz, Sanjit Fong, Jalin Johnson, Justin Lenz, Gerhard Lenz II, James Lockley

NEW ROCHELLE: Jeffery Ceneus, Dante Dixon, Shawn Edwards, Jaden Jurlina, Matthew Messina, Matthew Muller Terrance Parkes, Andrew Rossini

PELHAM: Matthew DiNapoli

PLEASANT VALLEY: Jacob Gates

POUGHKEEPSIE: Gavyn Parise

RYE: Ryan Conway

RYE BROOK: Tristen Ayala

WHITE PLAINS: Anthony Gjokaj, Jack Hickey, Cooper Lang, Kevin McKenna, Sergio Pinto, Jake Strobel, Peter Veltri IV, Garrett Washington Jr.

09/09/2026

The Westchester County Department of Emergency Services proudly played a significant role in today’s County ceremony honoring the legacy of U.S. Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey and dedicating the Community Green at Kensico Dam Park in her name.

Congresswoman Lowey was an effective champion for first responders, both nationally and locally. Following September 11, she helped create the federal homeland security grant funding that continues to support our equipment, apparatus, staffing, and overall readiness.

She also helped secure funding for public safety communications and interoperability, which helped build our communications network and continues to support its operation and growth.

Congresswoman Lowey was a devoted public servant and selfless, effective leader whose commitment to first responders, Westchester County, and the nation touched countless lives. May her legacy of service continue to inspire future generations.

08/27/2026

08/13/2026

A ceremony was held at DES last night to recognize our County’s newest volunteer firefighters who completed their Firefighter 1 training in the last 18 months.

In all, 201 men and women completed Firefighter 1 training in 12 classes between January 2025 and June 2026. Many were on hand last night and their accomplishment was celebrated by local Chiefs, the Westchester Volunteer Firefighters Association, and families and friends in attendance.

We congratulate these newest firefighters and thank them for the service they provide to their communities and the people of Westchester. Volunteer fire service is truly rewarding and a tremendous way to give back to your community. We encourage anyone who has been considering it to stop in at their local firehouse for a conversation and to get more information.

Completing this training program was no small achievement. It required dedication, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and the willingness to push well beyond your comfort zone.

Throughout their training, these new firefighters developed the skills needed to operate safely and effectively in challenging environments—from working with protective equipment and breathing apparatus to advancing hose lines, operating ladders, conducting searches and working together during emergency scenarios.
They faced demanding conditions, long hours, and high expectations while learning what it truly means to be part of a fire company and serve their community.

DES would also like to thank the many excellent County fire instructors who conducted Firefighter 1 training. Their talents and expertise were crucial to preparing these new firefighters to protect themselves and their communities throughout their service.

08/12/2026

What an incredible day at DES as we welcomed Ossining My Brother’s Keeper for an Emergency Services Career Exposure Day filled with learning, hands-on experiences, and inspiration.

Throughout the day, our DES staff from Fire, EMS, Communications, and Special Operations led each evolution, giving participants a firsthand look at their respective fields. They shared their knowledge, demonstrated the skills and teamwork behind the work they do every day, and gave the students an opportunity to experience the many different roles that make up emergency services.

A special thank you to our guests from the FDNY, Mount Vernon Fire Department, and Technical Rescue team members who joined us and shared their experience, expertise, and career journeys.
Participants also took part in a Go Bag preparedness session, learning what essential items to have ready in the event of an evacuation or emergency.
It was one of those days you truly had to experience to understand—the energy, curiosity, engagement, and enthusiasm throughout the room made it incredibly special.

We hope we sparked new interests, opened a few doors, and inspired the next generation of emergency responders and public safety professionals.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave their time and talents to make this day such a memorable experience.

08/06/2026

Chief Mark Iannucci, Westchester County Fire Coordinator and Director of Fire Services at the Department of Emergency Services, recently conducted a two-hour evening training class on the topic of the Incident Command System and Fire Ground Operations for members in the Battalion 14 area. Battalion 14 includes Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Fairview, Hartsdale, Hastings, Irvington and Tarrytown.

Chief officers and fire suppression personnel were presented with a case-study and made command decisions based on the information. They also received a PowerPoint® presentation detailing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the use of the Incident Command System (ICS).

Mutual Aid response necessitates the use of ICS for accountability of each agency’s resources at many large incidents, including structure fires, Hazardous Materials incidents and building and trench collapse. This annexed training allows the DES to give all Westchester County Fire Departments convenient evening training on various topics and was set up in conjunction with Battalion 14 Coordinator Russell Maitland.

08/04/2026

The Westchester County Department of Emergency Services would also like to recognize the important work of our certified fire investigators and Cause and Origin Team.

Accountability in this case was the result of a coordinated investigative effort. Our investigators responded to and processed the scene at the Tarrytown Lighthouse, determined that the fire was incendiary, and prepared the reports documenting that the fire had been intentionally set. Their findings assisted the Westchester County Department of Public Safety during the initial stages of its investigation and helped establish the foundation for the charges that followed.

We are proud of the professionalism and thorough work of our fire investigators and grateful for the collaboration among the Department of Emergency Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Sleepy Hollow and White Plains Police Departments, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. This outcome reflects the importance of agencies working together to protect Westchester County’s residents, public property, and historic landmarks.