FDNY performing commissioner Laura Kavanagh to turn into everlasting head of division

The FDNY’s performing commissioner is to be appointed to the job completely on Thursday, Metropolis Corridor and Hearth Division sources informed the Each day Information.

Laura Kavanagh will turn into the primary feminine commissioner within the division’s 157-year historical past.

Mayor Adams will appoint the San Francisco native at a ceremony at Engine 33 and Ladder 9 in Decrease Manhattan, hearth division sources stated.

The firehouse, situated on Nice Jones St. close to Bowery in NoHo, was the place the primary hearth commissioner, appointed within the late 1800s, was headquartered.

Kavanagh joined the FDNY in 2014 and was named first deputy commissioner 4 years later.

In that job, she oversaw the division’s dealing with of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. She has additionally taken curiosity in diversifying the FDNY’s ranks, together with the hiring of extra ladies to division jobs.

“It’s necessary for younger ladies to see different ladies in these positions, to know that there are different jobs within the hearth division than simply being a firefighter,” Kavanagh stated in 2018.

Kavanagh has additionally labored on efforts to enhance the data out there to firefighters at hearth scenes.

In February, she was promoted to performing commissioner following the retirement of Daniel Nigro, the fourth-longest serving hearth commissioner in FDNY historical past.

As commissioner, Kavanagh oversees 17,000 FDNY staff and a $2 billion annual funds.

She’s already led the division in instances of tragedy. The day Kavanagh grew to become performing commissioner, Firefighter Jesse Gerhard, 33, collapsed and died after struggling a medical episode at his firehouse in Far Rockaway, Queens. The day before today, Gerhard helped battle a two-alarm blaze that Kavanagh described as a “robust project.”

A bit over two months into her tenure, Firefighter Timothy Klein, 31, died combating a a blaze in a Canarsie, Brooklyn residence. And extra not too long ago, Kavanagh led the division within the wake of the homicide Sept. 29 of FDNY Paramedic Lt. Alison Russo on a Queens avenue.

Earlier than Kavanagh joined the Hearth Division, she was a senior advisor to former mayor Invoice de Blasio and held administration roles in political campaigns.