SHFPD HISTORY

In 1949, more than fifty Sleepy Hollow neighbors petitioned Marin County to form a fire protection district — and from its very first year, SHFPD made a choice that’s defined it ever since: rather than build and staff its own fire department, the District would organize, fund, and oversee protection delivered by others. That idea has shaped every decision it’s made for the 75 years since.

A black-and-white image showing a rural landscape with roads, houses, and a partially constructed structure in a grassy area.

The pages below trace how that idea has played out over time — the partnerships that deliver fire protection today, the towns and neighbors who’ve shared the work along the way, and the residents who’ve served on the Board since the beginning.

Origins

The petition, the resolution, and the first test of independence.

A black-and-white photo of a dirt road flanked by tall trees, leading to an open grassy area with a fence in the distance.

Formation & Early Years

Our origin story

How We Protect

The partners and projects that keep Sleepy Hollow safe today.

An ambulance parked outside a fire station with a Mediterranean-style building and large garage doors.

Fire Protection Partnerships

A Deliberate Model

The image shows a hillside with small controlled fires among trees, with firefighters in yellow gear managing the situation.

Mitigation Projects

Creating defensible space by reducing fuel sources for wildfires.

Who We Work With

Towns, neighbors, and landowners who share the work.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Showing Up Beyond Emergencies

Collaborations with Towns

A Partnership Built to Last

Major Landowner Collaborations

Protection Beyond District Lines

Leadership Through the Years

The residents who’ve served on the Board since 1949.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS

The individuals below have served their fellow Sleepy Hollow residents as SHFPD Commissioners and Directors since the District’s founding in 1949.