PEEKSKILL – Peekskill native James Seymour IV has been appointed as the city’s first paid fire chief, beginning January 1, 2022. He started as a volunteer firefighter in Peekskill in 1995, at the age of 18. He was hired as a career firefighter in Peekskill in 2001 and stayed until 2004 when he transferred to Village of Scarsdale FD in 2004.
Seymour has spent 17 years with the Scarsdale department as a firefighter, captain, municipal training officer, and was named chief in 2016.
In making the announcement to his Scarsdale colleagues, Chief Seymour wrote that he has accepted the newly created fire chief position in Peekskill. “I have been offered an opportunity to return to the city where I was born, raised, and started my fire service career over 20 years ago,” he said. “The decision was certainly made more difficult due to the high caliber employees that I have had the pleasure to work alongside here in Scarsdale. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with all of you.”
The Village of Scarsdale has initiated the recruitment process for Chief Seymour’s successor, an effort undertaken in accordance with prescribed Westchester County civil service protocols.
