FDNY PROMOTIONS

I was intrigued to see the promotion of Battalion Chief Guerra to 1st Deputy Commissioner . Is this a normal practice for a serving officer to be promoted to such a senior position in the FDNY.
 
Lt. Q said:
I agree with you 100%, Mark and I were mutual partners in 112. He is one of the best and brightest. I wish him all the best.
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Did he have to submit his retirement papers first before accepting the position, or is it similar to taking a leave of absence without pay? And when the change of administration comes about, and a new commissioner picks his staff, I'm sure he can't revert back to his civil service position
 
Bill Feehan was an Officer & became 1st Deputy & even filling in as Commissioner.
 
The DepCom of the press office went from FF to his current position.

Guerra spent many years as Nigro's XO, so he is familiar with how HQ works.
 
den114 said:
Bill Feehan was an Officer & became 1st Deputy & even filling in as Commissioner.
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Yes, although that was after he had gone through the ranks up to becoming Chief of Department, so in my mind that makes his situation not exactly comparable to a BC becoming 1st Deputy. Not that I have any issue with the appointment, I just don't think they're comparable
 
scoobyd said:
Interesting. A no-notice promotion ceremony for the highest ranks. And the effective date is that very day instead of the usual which is Saturday at 09:00.
What exactly is an “Acting Citywide Tour Commander”? Never heard of it. Let alone two.
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Over the years there were always 'acting' citywide tour commanders. Maybe they were called different titles years back but it amounted to the same. A chief with a lower title acting as the duty staff chief.
alycidon said:
I was intrigued to see the promotion of Battalion Chief Guerra to 1st Deputy Commissioner . Is this a normal practice for a serving officer to be promoted to such a senior position in the FDNY.
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So, who should be the FIRST DEPUTY FIRE COMMISSIONER?

It’s an interesting question that can have many answers. I think is really depends upon the qualifications of the Fire Commissioner. If the commissioner has spent time previously working in HQ. then they can bring someone with department field experience into puzzle palace or even an outsider from private industry.

If you look back at those who served, most of the ‘outside’ fire commissioners had a legal background as lawyers. Some came from other government agencies. While some were appointed from within the department. But those from within the department are walking into that office wearing blinders because possibly their only lifetime experience was working in FDNY. So, they might look to bring an outsider into the department to help run the agency who has managerial knowledge besides experience and a legal background.

Over the years I have seen Battalion Chiefs, Fire Marshals, lawyers, public relations specialists, assume the role of First Deputy Commissioner. In past times, some deputy commissioners were promoted into the 1st deputy commissioner’s title. What you must realize is that the appointment, or promotion must be approved by city hall first. And you don’t know if the mayor has someone else in mind for the job.

In recent years, additional positions were created to assist the Fire Commissioner. Chief of Staff and Executive Officer or Assistant carry a lot of weight in the department. Today the commissioner has a team of executives who rotate duty days and respond to various incidents or functions acting as a liaison to the commissioner. If needed, the Fire Commissioner will also respond.

FDNY has changed over the years and to run that agency you need the right team. The commissioner needs the freedom to appoint their own team right from the start. Forget the persons rank, look at what the appointee brings to the table and adds to the team that is what is important.
 
scoobyd said:
Interesting. A no-notice promotion ceremony for the highest ranks. And the effective date is that very day instead of the usual which is Saturday at 09:00.
What exactly is an “Acting Citywide Tour Commander”? Never heard of it. Let alone two.
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Over the years FDNY has used various deputy chiefs to act & cover staff chiefs jobs. One being acting as citywide tour commander that is why the reserve car numbers were created or they just added for several days or weeks another car number in the '4' series. Its been there but never been put on the order before to my knowledge.
 
Atlas said:
Over the years FDNY has used various deputy chiefs to act & cover staff chiefs jobs. One being acting as citywide tour commander that is why the reserve car numbers were created or they just added for several days or weeks another car number in the '4' series. It’s been there but never been put on the order before to my knowledge.
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4R you mean?
421 / 422 are when a on duty deputy chief is pulled
 
I am curious about some of the details of the designation to a/CWTC. For example, are these deputies remaining deputies who simply act in the role as needed, or are they being promoted to staff?

Thinking out loud: this brings to mind one of the former iterations of how the operations staff was structured. As many of you know, the CWTC position is currently filled on a rotational basis by staff chiefs serving in daily roles other than the CWTC. For example, the Chief of Fire Prevention, Chief of Training, Chief of the Academy, Assistant Chiefs of Operations, etc all take turns working as CWTC over and above their day jobs. However, this has not always been the case. Around the period of 9/11, the bureau of operations had four full-time staff chiefs designated as citywide tour commanders. I believe they did have some responsibilities in addition to the CWTC function, however, they were called CWTCs and I believe it was their primary function, and that there were only four of them, making it a somewhat full-time job.

I say this as a way of wondering out loud whether the department order from this week involves any foreshadowing about how the CWTC role may change, and/or whether it may go back to a model closer to what they used before, where it is someone's full-time or near full-time job, as opposed to a widely-distributed rotation among a bunch of staff chiefs with other responsibilities.
 
Another reason for the acting title is a lack of budget lines for the rank of Deputy Assistant Chief. City Hall might not permit FDNY o expand the slots in each title until some retiring staff chiefs use up their time and retire. Once they are officially retired their line opens up for a person to be fully promoted. Only time will tell.
 
A.C. Tom Curraro is a friend of mine and one of the best people I know. I wish him the best in his new assignment, as Chief of Fire Prevention.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
I was a friend of 1st deputy Comm. Bill Feehan, and he was also my college instructor. I known, him when he was a Firemen in Ladder 3 and when he operated at the 23 St. fire and collapse. Also, we served together when he was Captain of Engine 28, and I was a firefighter in L-11. He was a truly great man, and I miss my friend, who died trying to save other Firefighter's along with my former Captain (Later to become Chief of Department) Peter Ganci at the World Trade Center on 9/11/01. The new 1st deputy Fire Commissioner and Chief of Department are good men, but a filling some very big shoes. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
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