‘A trailblazer’: Mayor Adams on resignation of FDNY commissioner Laura Kavanagh

NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams has accepted Laura Kavanaugh’s resignation as FDNY Fire Commissioner, he announced in a statement Saturday afternoon.

Her appointment by Adams in 2022 made her the first female commissioner in the Fire Department of New York’s 157-year history. The move was seen as a significant step forward for the department, which has worked tirelessly to diversify its leadership and overcome various challenges.

“Throughout her career, Commissioner Kavanagh has been a trailblazer,” Mayor Adams said in a statement to PIX11 News. “She has helped usher in sweeping improvements to the FDNY’s technology infrastructure; increased funding for members’ health and safety, including for cancer reduction and mental health counseling; and overhauled how the FDNY recruits and retains members of color, leading to the most diverse Fire Department in our city’s history, while simultaneously tripling the number of women serving as firefighters.”

Adams continued by saying that Kavanagh could have stayed on as fire commissioner as long as she wanted, but he respected her decision to take the next step in her career.

Although she has resigned, Kavanaugh will still oversee the department of 17,000, including firefighters and emergency medical workers, until a replacement is found.

Kavanagh didn’t say when she plans to resign. However, she said she plans to spend several months helping with the leadership transition.

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press .

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here .

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