Stony Brook Fire Chief Pete Leonard has been named the 2020 “EMS/Firefighter Hero of the Year” for the Fifth Legislative District by Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn. Chief Leonard has been a volunteer with the Stony Brook Fire Department for the past 35 years, serving as a paramedic. During his service with the Stony Brook Fire Department, Leonard has been elected Chief twice.

In addition to his service to the Stony Brook community, Chief Leonard is also a full-time paramedic with Stony Brook University Medical Center, providing front-line care to severely injured and critically ill patients transported to the hospital via ambulance or Medivac helicopter. With the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Chief Leonard was asked to do double duty, using his experience, training and expertise to assist both patients transported to Stony Brook University Hospital and the greater Stony Brook community, which had a ten percent increase in calls made of his department during this time.

Deputy Presiding Officer Kara Hahn and the residents of the Fifth Legislative District thank Chief Pete Leonard for his service to our community, especially during this difficult time.