The interim label was finally removed from Laura Kavanagh’s title Thursday, as she was officially named the first female Fire Commissioner in New York City’s history.
Mayor Eric Adams swore Kavanagh in during an Oct. 27 ceremony that included First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo, Deputy Mayors Meera Joshi, Maria Torres-Springer, Anne Williams-Isom and Sheena Wright and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
It’s the first time in New York’s four centuries that women are at the helm of its Police and Fire Departments simultaneously.
“We talked about this moment for so many years of as we went through this journey together on our analysis of government, our analysis of corporations, our analysis of how we run cities and institutions,” said Mayor Adams at the Oct. 27 event.”And that’s what we hear today when you think about what Laura represents and it’s not an easy task to go through the vetting process that she went through. Laura was going to be part of this administration no matter what. We knew her skill set, we knew her abilities, and I shared with her [that] I wanted her to be part of our team from the beginning and she was willing to do whatever was needed. My heart is with the FDNY, but whatever way I could help the city, I’m willing to do so. New Yorkers in New York City’s bravest deserve an exceptional leader, and Laura has the vision, skills, and the compassion to lead the FDNY into the future.”