FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro is hanging up his helmet, boots and title after 53 years of service to the civilians and firefighters of New York City. He walked out as he locked arms with his wife and extended family by his side.
Nigro, 73, was appointed to the department in 1969, following in the footsteps of his father Dan Nigro. He held every rank within the Department from Firefighter to Commissioner over his many decades of service to the department.
Nigro worked under immense pressure as Chief of Department following in the footsteps of Peter Ganci Jr after the 9/11 attacks to help lead the rescue and recovery efforts after 343 bravest was killed when the Twin Towers collapsed. He also oversaw all major uniformed FDNY bureaus including Operations, Training, EMS, Communications, and Fire Prevention, holding the highest uniform rank. He retired in 2002 and returned as the 33rd Fire Commissioner in June 2014.
Former Mayor Bill De Blasio said Commissioner Nigro helped lead the FDNY into the 21st century and created him with help leading diversity charge with blacks, Latinos and the LGTB community. FDNY Deputy Commissioner Laura Cavanaugh has been named the interim Commissioner until another candidate is named. There is no word on who the replacement will be as of yet.
“We offer our best wishes to Commissioner Nigro in retirement. His impact on this Department will be felt for generations to come. 50 years ago the Commissioner swore the oath to protect life and property, and fulfill his duties as a uniformed member of the FDNY – the same oath taken by each and every member of this department,” said FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro. “Until his final moments in the Department, he fulfilled this oath, and we applaud him for his lifetime of dedication and service.”
“Commissioner Daniel Nigro has dedicated his life to the Fire Department of New York and this City’s eight million residents. A stalwart for Firefighters and Fire Officers in this department and across the country, Commissioner Nigro is one of only seven in history to hold every rank available in the Department,” said FDNY-Uniformed Fire Officers Association President Lt. James McCarthy. “His leadership was on display in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, where as Chief of Department, he helped the FDNY recover from the loss of 343 of its members, and lead the recovery efforts. As a second generation FDNY Firefighter and with over five decades of service in the FDNY, his institutional knowledge and leadership has been an asset to New York City. We applaud him as he begins this new chapter in his life and believe that history will view him as a consummate professional, with a passion for helping others, and a love for this Department and its membership.”
