The FDNY’s new commissioner is getting a baptism of fireplace.
Robert Tucker — who was named head of the Fireplace Division on Monday — is already dealing with recent fireplace from rank-and-file rankled by how the town dealt with his swearing-in ceremony.
Sources mentioned that Mayor Eric Adams’ speech touting former commissioner Laura Kavanagh’s work preventing lithium-ion battery fires and his promise to quench inner departmental blazes that engulfed her tenure had infected lots of New York’s Bravest.
Some have been additionally surprised that Regina Wilson — an FDNY veteran and head of the black firefighters’ group the Vulcan Society who waged a discrimination lawsuit in opposition to the division — took the stage to talk through the ceremony, in an obvious last-minute addition by Metropolis Corridor.
“The fires burning, it appeared like a self-inflected wound,” one supply mentioned.
“You’re going to equate lithium-ion battery fires with tradition inside fireplace homes — now we have a 9/11-related dying nearly every week,” the supply famous.
Adams, throughout his speech introducing Tucker on the FDNY Fireplace Academy constructing on Randall’s Island, introduced up longtime cultural “fires that have been burning contained in the company” — which some sources mentioned would do extra to rekindle controversies over discrimination than extinguish them.
He touted Tucker’s resume and argued he can mend fences contained in the division which were damaged for many years.
“I knew that Robert may do it and take this division to the following degree,” Adams mentioned in regards to the new FDNY boss, a businessman and lawyer with lifelong ties to the division, although no direct firefighting expertise.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the position Commissioner Kavanagh performed,” he mentioned, tipping his hat towards her battle of being the FDNY’s first feminine chief and her position in battling a rising scourge of lithium-ion battery fires.
Tucker’s appointment was an unsurprising choose, nearing on an open secret, by Adams after earlier fireplace boss Kavanagh mentioned she’d be stepping down following a fraught two-year tenure.
Kavanagh, the primary girl to steer the FDNY, had many clashes with the male-dominated tradition throughout the division, together with an age discrimination lawsuit filed that accused her of purging older brass in favor of younger, less-experienced chiefs.
One FDNY supply mentioned it sounded just like the audio system have been talking extra to age discrimination swimsuit’s decide than rank-and-file smoke eaters.
The rancor belied Tucker’s promise throughout a speech after his swearing in to make issues simpler for beleaguered Bravest.
“I do know my position right here, you’re out doing the arduous job and I’m right here to make that simpler,” he advised firefighters.
“I can consider no increased calling than serving because the FDNY commissioner.”
Tucker, who heads safety large T&M as CEO and chairman, recounted his teen job as an FDNY intern in its communications division and flashed his badge as he did so.
He acted because the board secretary of the FDNY Basis and was named an honorary fireplace commissioner in 2014.
Tucker’s appointment stoked hopeful plaudits from fireplace union bigwigs, who had tumultuous relationship with Kavanagh and huddled with the brand new commissioner after the ceremony.
“His long-standing relationship with public companies, particularly his work on the board of the FDNY Basis, offers him an perception into the complexity and tradition of the FDNY,” mentioned James Brosi, president of the FDNY Uniformed Fireplace Officers Affiliation, in an announcement.
“His management and govt expertise within the personal sector ought to allow him to successfully confront the challenges of the FDNY.”
Andrew Ansbro, who heads the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Affiliation, mentioned Tucker’s expertise may assist the division improve unit availability, and thus lower response occasions.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola, who chairs the legislative physique’s fireplace committee, mentioned Tucker supplies a “recent begin.”
“The FDNY has confronted its fair proportion of challenges in recent times, and it little question will face a variety of challenges sooner or later,” she mentioned.
“With the assist and management of Mr. Tucker, who has a deep pool of expertise in the case of operating main organizations and a historical past of advocacy for the women and men of the Fireplace Division, I’m sure that New York’s Bravest will be capable of endure no matter bumps within the street the years forward carry their manner and emerge stronger than ever.”
Tom Von Essen, the FDNY commissioner throughout 9/11 assaults and the NY regional FEMA director through the COVID-19 pandemic, mentioned he was hopeful about Tucker — however added he has his work reduce out for him.
“Admires the Mission. Respects the troops,” Von Essen mentioned of Tucker.
“Strong businessman so he might be shocked at how poorly managed [the FDNY is]. Wants an excellent workforce round him to succeed.”
— Extra reporting by Carl Campanile
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