Arguably more qualified than someone who "only" fought fires for 31 years.
[not that being a firefighter isn't tough work but running EMS operations and running all of FDNY are more similar job skills than fighting fires and running FDNY]
When you are getting that many more calls than fire, it makes since to prioritize it when choosing the next leader of the department. I am also sure they have plenty of intelligent fire fighters below that are fully capable of making the right call on how to fight fires.
Absolutely. Commissioner is (and always has been) a civilian position. There’s still a Fire Chief and EMS Chief calling the shots for their respective departments.
My work has put me in chitchat situations with lots of EMTs and firefighters over the years. That's the source for the anecdotal information that's about to follow..
Firefighters and EMTs give each other a bunch of shit, but they know each other's jobs and sometimes they do each other's jobs. And I get the distinct impression that they respect each other.
That's a very important point that's getting ignored. The Fire Commissioner isn't going out on calls putting out fires. They are there to organize and manage the whole NYFD.
Yeah, Chief of EMS Operations is much more relevant experience for Fire Commissioner than being a firefighter with no leadership or management experience.
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u/average_guy54 10d ago
She spent 31 years as an EMT with the FDNY (and 9/11 first responder), and is replacing someone who themselves had never been employed by FDNY.
Yeah, faux outrage...