New Chief of Department

Remember when COD was a civil service test position and not a political appointment? Too bad FDNY got away from that.
 
JohnnyGage said:
Should be no surprise, especially when a new Mayor is elected, there is a regime change at top levels. NYPD going through same thing, just unfortunate Chief Richardson only had short six months, but then again, he'll retire as COD.
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Thinking the same thing, who’s going to be next Fire Commissioner!
Maybe he knows something?
 
He still has a chance to be commissioner or once he retired it's over?
 
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FDNY Dept Order No. 4 out today:
Effective 0900hrs January 13th, 2022
Chief of Operation John J. Hodgens is designated as Acting Chief of Department
Assistant Chief of Operation Richard Blatus is designated Acting Chief of Operations
Assistant Chief Michael F. Gala Jr. Bureau of Operation is designated Acting Assistant Chief of Operations
 
Lets hope he is appointed Fire Commissioner in the new mayoral administration change Chief of Department Thomas Richardson was a well respected and popular Chief of Department
 
snowy said:
Lets hope he is appointed Fire Commissioner in the new mayoral administration change Chief of Department Thomas Richardson was a well respected and popular Chief of Department
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Fingers are crossed but you can't read this guy Adams with his appointees.
 
The recent tragic Bronx 5th Alarm hopefully might impact leadership selections for FDNY. NYC has a new mayor who was a career cop, with limited senior management experience. He has just picked a NYPD Commissioner with no department leadership experience to lead a 55,000 member police department. Maybe he believed his own NYPD career will mitigate the limited credentials of his police commissioner. But leadership of the fire department is very different. Following the terrible loss of life at a fire, maybe he will recognize fire experience is important. Maybe he will appreciate extensive FDNY fire experience and job knowledge available in the many senior FDNY fire officers, both active and retired, who would make a competent Commissioner and a good COD. Maybe he will select candidates who have proven themselves with up-through-the-ranks successful leadership. If he wants his administration to be successful, he can't take too many risks that might gain headlines but result in unnecessary learning headaches. He may take a lot more time with interim FDNY leadership before deciding and announcing replacements.
 
Below is a list of FDNY Fire Commissioners and CODs, and their tenures, from 1865-2002, from Paul H. I believe Chief Don Ruland was the last COD who advanced to the position by promotion in 1994. All CODs have been up-thru-the-ranks FDNY members.

Commissioners have had diverse backgrounds. Some have been former FDNY CODs or members with leadership experience.

Examples of Fire Commissioners with FDNY backgrounds:

Bonner - COD
Dorman - COD
McElligott - COD
Walsh - COD
Thompson - war veteran and judge
Scott - Chief Fire Marshal
Lowery - successful Deputy Fire Commissioner
O'Hagan - COD
Beekman - experienced Assistant Chief
Rivera - experienced Assistant Chief
Feehan - COD
Von Essen - President UFA
Cossano - COD
Nigro - COD


Others primarily had backgrounds as senior-level government or private sector leaders with political, legal or budgetary expertise.


FDNY CODS.jpg
 
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It's interesting that from the FDNY's establishment in 1865 until 1978 (about 113 years), 17 men were the Chief of Department.
Since 1978 (less than 44 years), 19 men have been the Chief (Frank Cruthers twice).
Soon there'll be the 20th.
 
The new mayor wants to make NYC safe - attack crime - with his new NYPD Police Commissioner.

What does he want to do with FDNY?
t123ken said:
It's interesting that from the FDNY's establishment in 1865 until 1978 (about 113 years), 17 men were the Chief of Department.
Since 1978 (less than 44 years), 19 men have been the Chief (Frank Cruthers twice).
Soon there'll be the 20th.
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Good point.

The average FDNY COD length of command time has been about 2 years over the last 44 years. You can't do much, you can't influence significant change, you can't make a lasting impact in 2 years with an organization as large, and as structured, and as traditional, and as encumbered with civil service and union regulations and agreements, as FDNY is.

It's also dysfunctional for any large corporation or organization to change their CEO or commander every 24 months. It is impossible to maintain operational continuity, address problems and innovate as needed - in 6 months, or a year or two. FDNY CODs who made significant impacts had longer command periods: Bonner 10 years; Croker 12 years; Kenlon 20 years; McElligott 8 years; O'Hagan 14 years.
 
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Chief of Department was Civil Service. Once granted tenure, they could not be removed. Once the 1990's (esp) rolled around, the Commissioner would get rid of the C of D so they would not be granted tenure. Basically, City Hall wanted to be able to control that spot.
 
manlt said:
Chief of Department was Civil Service. Once granted tenure, they could not be removed. Once the 1990's (esp) rolled around, the Commissioner would get rid of the C of D so they would not be granted tenure. Basically, City Hall wanted to be able to control that spot.
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The result has been rapid turnover. CODs and FCs have been changing too rapidly to have significant impacts. Change at top level also results in many high level staff changes. So turnovers become more than 1 person. Generally, frequent turnover is not positive for most organizations. Leaders are appointed and can already see their retirements and departures in the near future. I suspect new appointees are more likely to focus on political priorities which can quickly gain headlines rather than longer operational, facilities, communications, training and health issues which they will not be around for implementation or completion. You can't have consistent and effective long term vision or planning when you know you are in charge for 12 months.
 
mack said:
The recent tragic Bronx 5th Alarm hopefully might impact leadership selections for FDNY. NYC has a new mayor who was a career cop, with limited senior management experience. He has just picked a NYPD Commissioner with no department leadership experience to lead a 55,000 member police department. Maybe he believed his own NYPD career will mitigate the limited credentials of his police commissioner. But leadership of the fire department is very different. Following the terrible loss of life at a fire, maybe he will recognize fire experience is important. Maybe he will appreciate extensive FDNY fire experience and job knowledge available in the many senior FDNY fire officers, both active and retired, who would make a competent Commissioner and a good COD. Maybe he will select candidates who have proven themselves with up-through-the-ranks successful leadership. If he wants his administration to be successful, he can't take too many risks that might gain headlines but result in unnecessary learning headaches. He may take a lot more time with interim FDNY leadership before deciding and announcing replacements.
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I was reading about NYPD Commissioner Sewell. At the time of her appointment, she was the Chief of Detectives in Nassau County. In their Chain of Command, that appears to be a 3-star Chief, one rank below their COD. I don't know anything of her leadership style or politics. and I know NYPD is much larger than NCPD, but I don't necessarily think I'd say Sewell was completely green?

Be safe!
 
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