The Fire Services Division within the Department of Emergency Services is comprised of four units: fire training, fire inspection, special operations, and fire prevention and protection.
The division administers, coordinates, and maintains the fire training program. Career and volunteer firefighters from Westchester County's 58 fire departments receive their training and education in fire department operations at our facility. An adjunct staff of 50 fire instructors enables our department to deliver over 100 comprehensive courses annually, as well as hands-on skills training. To register for training, contact your department chief or training officer.
The fire training division, in conjunction with Westchester County Career Chiefs, conducts and administers the Career Firefighter Academy. This is a 16-week academy program for newly hired career firefighters designed by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. The academy program is scheduled twice annually, in the spring and fall.
Our fire inspection bureau is responsible for inspecting all buildings, facilities, and properties owned or operated by Westchester County. The program was developed to ensure that county employees are safe in their work environment and citizens are safe when entering and using any county facility.
The Grasslands campus is occupied by various government buildings and educational facilities including DES, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Westchester County Department of Corrections, and Westchester County Labs and Research. Fire protection and suppression services for the campus are provided by the Grasslands Fire Brigade. The brigade, under the direction of Chief Neil Caputo, provides fire protection services from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The members are employees of the Departments of Emergency Services and Public Works who volunteer their services.