Hearth Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has named a pastor with no medical expertise to run the FDNY’s counseling providers for firefighters and medics battling mental-health issues — an appointment that may require the division to rent one other licensed supervisor at taxpayer expense to plug the hole.
Kavanagh tapped Ann Kansfield, the FDNY’s first feminine and overtly homosexual chaplain, as chief of the division’s Counseling Providers Unit, which runs a workers of psychologists and therapists who conduct screening, evaluation and remedy of job candidates and ailing first-responders.
Kansfield, 48, whom Kavanagh has known as her “religious muse” — served as considered one of 9 FDNY chaplains, final yr accumulating $39,809 in wage and time beyond regulation.
As CSU director, her wage will leap to $159,650, officers mentioned.
An FDNY officer blasted Kansfield’s appointment as “one other instance of a good friend of Kavanagh receiving a high-paying job on the expense of the residents of New York,” saying it should additional erode morale within the rank-and-file.
Kavanagh defended her choice.
“As our first responders face an unprecedented psychological well being disaster, they deserve sturdy managers with a confirmed observe report of dedication to the FDNY and the psychological well being of all our members,” Kavanagh mentioned in an announcement to The Put up.
“Reverend Kansfield has spent practically a decade doing simply that for the FDNY, and was clearly the most effective candidate for the position. Her expertise, talent and compassion pays enormous dividends for the FDNY.”
In contrast to her predecessors, Kansfield isn’t licensed as a psychologist or therapist — a legally required qualification to oversee clinicians.
Kansfield will carry out administrative duties and handle the unit, whereas a number of licensed underlings — together with a further medical director to be employed — will oversee the remedy.
She may also do outreach to encourage troubled first-responders to hunt assist, mentioned FDNY spokesman Jim Lengthy.
Hearth Lt. Andrew Kane, a licensed social employee, can be Kansield’s deputy, Lengthy mentioned.
As interim director, Kane’s final wage was $118,056, however he collected $217,676 with time beyond regulation and different compensation.
As well as, the FDNY plans to rent a brand new co-clinical director to serve with Shveta Mittal, an administrative psychologist making $145,000 a yr.
That place has but to be posted, Lengthy mentioned.
Critics recommend that Kansfield’s friendship with Kavanagh, greater than her {qualifications}, helped her land the job.
“Having somebody with technical experience and expertise far outweighs what the everyday ‘political appointee’ can convey to the desk,” mentioned Glenn Corbett, an affiliate professor of fireside science and public administration at John Jay School of Legal Justice.
“We wish certified management in these roles,” agreed George Contreras, a veteran NYC paramedic and John Jay adjunct professor of public well being and emergency administration.
However he added, “I’m certain it’s not the primary time that issues like that occur in Metropolis Corridor.”
Kansfield give up her job as a stockbroker who labored for a number of firms, together with one within the World Commerce Middle, a day earlier than 9/11, she mentioned in an FDNY podcast.
Afterwards, she determined to alter course.
She obtained a grasp’s diploma in divinity at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 2004, and has since served because the pastor of the Greenpoint Reformed Church in Brooklyn.
Below ex-fire commissioner Daniel Nigro, she joined the FDNY as a chaplain in 2015, calling it “my dream job.”
“Throughout this time, I’ve had the chance to construct belief and goodwill and I hope the members already know the way a lot I really like and take care of them,” Kansfield mentioned in a metropolis press launch. “I’m excited to construct on that belief and play a extra direct position in making certain our members have entry to psychological well being care.”
Kavanagh mentioned the chaplain is “uniquely certified” to function CSU director, after 9 years of “serving to members and households of their time of want.”
The commissioner additionally mentioned the chaplain “began, owned and operated a household remedy observe.”
Nonetheless, the discharge doesn’t clarify that Kansfield’s spouse, Jennifer Aull, is the founder and director of North Brooklyn Marriage & Household Remedy, which doesn’t point out Kansfield on its web site.
Kansfield did administrative work for her spouse’s observe, Lengthy mentioned.
She begins the brand new job on June 6.
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