After decades of service to New Yorkers, fire commissioner Daniel A. Nigro announces retirement

Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro has announced his retirement from the FDNY, effective on 16 February 2022. Commissioner Nigro is the fourth longest serving Fire Commissioner in FDNY history, and one of only six individuals to hold every rank in the Department.

‘Dan and I have had an amazing relationship over our long careers in public service. He’s a tireless champion for New Yorkers, and a friend who I’ve leaned on time and again,’ said Mayor Eric Adams. ‘From overseeing the heroic 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts to leading the FDNY’s unwavering response during the pandemic, Dan has worked tirelessly to protect all New Yorkers. New Yorkers, whether they know it or not, are all safer because of the work he’s done and owe him their thanks. Dan defines public service and will be deeply missed by me and the entire department.

‘Since the day I raised my right hand 53 years ago and followed my father into the greatest fire department in the world, I have been blessed, privileged, and truly honored to serve the people of our great city,’ said Fire Commissioner Nigro. ‘On days of triumphant rescues and during times of unimaginable loss, the members of the FDNY – our firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, fire marshals, fire inspectors, and civilian staff – have always answered the call. They are extraordinary people and are deeply committed to protecting the lives and property of all New Yorkers. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as their Fire Commissioner.’

In June 2014, Commissioner Nigro was appointed the 33rd Fire Commissioner. As Fire Commissioner, he oversaw the FDNY’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the highest period of medical calls in New York City history and the creation of a vaccination programme for FDNY members, city employees and homebound New Yorkers. During his tenure, the department executed a recruitment campaign that led to the most diverse group of applicants in FDNY history, with more women and people of colour now serving as New York City firefighters than at any point in the department’s 157-year history.

Commissioner Nigro also expanded fire-safety education efforts, launching programmes that have installed and distributed more than 250,000 smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms citywide and continued an unprecedented period of fire safety with 2021 marking the 16th consecutive year with fewer than 100 fire deaths.

He was appointed a Firefighter on 29 November 1969, and after graduating from the Fire Academy, was first assigned to Engine Company 21 in Manhattan. Over the next 32 years, he rose through the ranks of the FDNY, serving as a Lieutenant at Engine Company 35 in East Harlem, as a Captain at Engine Company 8 in Manhattan, and as a Battalion Chief in Battalion 19 in the Bronx.

Beginning in 1988, while in the rank of Battalion Chief, he served in several administrative positions at headquarters, including the Chief of Personnel and the Chief of the Bureau of Health Services, where he oversaw the medical care and treatment for FDNY members.

Upon his promotion to deputy chief in 1993, he returned to the field and served in Division 3 in Manhattan. A year later, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Chief and was instrumental in merging the Emergency Medical Service of the New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation into the FDNY. Following the merger, he became the chief in charge of EMS. In 1997, he was promoted to Chief of Operations, overseeing all operations and training for more than 14,000 uniformed fire and EMS personnel.

After the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, he was appointed Chief of Department, following the death of his close friend, Chief Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Commissioner Nigro was responsible for overseeing all rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center site, and the beginning of the unprecedented rebuilding of the department following the death of 343 FDNY members. As Chief of Department, Commissioner Nigro held the highest uniformed rank, overseeing all major uniformed FDNY bureaus: Operations, Training, EMS, Communications and Fire Prevention. He retired from the department in 2002 and returned in 2014 as Fire Commissioner.

Commissioner Nigro followed in the footsteps of his father, FDNY Captain Daniel Nigro, who served the department for 33 years. A native New Yorker, he resides in Queens with his wife, Lynn.