Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company (SHVFR) conducted its annual meeting on June 1. During the Monday evening meeting, officer elections were conducted and Shannon Will was named the 2026 Outstanding Member of the Year.

Will has been a member of the fire company since 2009. She has been the company’s secretary since 2016. She serves as its Fire Prevention chair, and its only certified fire police officer. In citing that latter credential, the SHVFR Outstanding Member Committee noted the role “requires specialized training, and a strong commitment to public safety.”

Will has “demonstrated dedication, leadership, and service to our organization and community,” the committee’s announcement also noted. Will also manages the company’s website and social media presence, “recognizing the importance of communication and public engagement.”

Until recently she was also the editor of Siren, the company’s monthly newsletter. She will continue to work with others to produce that publication.

“Her years of service, reliability, and dedication exemplify the qualities of an Outstanding Member. She goes above and beyond for the department and the community, making her truly deserving of this honor,” EMS Captain and Outstanding Member Committee member Karin Halstead said in announcing the decision.

Will’s name will be added to a plaque at the fire company’s main station that already contains the names of those named Outstanding Member since the inception of the annual honor in 1998. She was given a standing ovation upon the announcement of being named this year’s Outstanding Member, and also presented with a plaque.

2026-27 Officers

During the June 1 meeting, the following were voted into Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company firefighting branch and administrative officer positions for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027:

Firefighting Branch — chief, Anthony Capozziello; deputy chief, Ryan Clark; first assistant chief, Andy Ryan; second assistant chief, Rob Sibley; captain, Stephen Clark; lieutenant, Archie Paloian; first engineer, Tim Whelan; second engineer, Bruce Clark; EMS captain, Karin Halstead; and engineers: Massimo D’Alessandro, Jon Doyle, Kyle Keeping, Kevin Keohan, John Moore, Ryan Piccirillo, Jeff Platek, Leslie Richards, and Steven Stohl; and

Administrative Branch — president, Brad Richardson, entering his 26th year in that position; vice president, Matt Dobson; secretary, Shannon Will; treasurer, Karin Halstead; assistant treasurer, John Jeltema; and commissioner, Tim Whelan.