Fire Department of New York appoints Robert Tucker as their head executive, serving a one-year term.
Robert Tucker, the new Fire Commissioner of New York, stepped into a challenging role when he took over the helm of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) almost a year ago. Tucker's tenure follows the departure of Laura Kavanagh, the first woman to lead the department, who resigned after a turbulent tenure marked by internal lawsuits[1].
Tucker, unlike Kavanagh, came into the role without prior experience as a firefighter or departmental insider, having been a Queens County prosecutor and a private security firm leader. He viewed his outsider status as an advantage in addressing trust and culture issues[1]. To build trust and improve communication within the FDNY, Tucker made it a priority to listen to members at all levels. He visited every EMS station and firehouse across the city, held one-on-one meetings, and engaged in numerous informal conversations with firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and civilian staff to understand their concerns and ideas[2].
By implementing an “open door” policy and actively engaging with the workforce, Tucker aimed to repair and strengthen the internal relationships that had been damaged during the previous administration. Moreover, he released a strategic plan intended to improve operations and reinforce the department's future direction, emphasizing leadership grounded in listening and inclusivity[2]. This approach was a direct response to the trust issues and internal conflicts that had characterized the department under his predecessor.
Tucker, 55, has no experience as a firefighter but was a Queens County prosecutor under former District Attorney Richard Brown. He acknowledges a learning curve in his new role but emphasizes that fire chiefs and EMS chiefs run the job. Tucker sees himself as the department's "CEO" and is especially focused on the paramedics, who make up a quarter of the department's workforce. His goal is to ensure that department members feel supported and heard[3].
In his efforts to address the issues that were causing problems within the department, Tucker prioritized understanding the department's most sick and injured firefighters' status. He wanted to ensure that the department's members felt supported and heard[2]. Tucker's arrival was met with the aftermath of a shake-up in command and legal troubles under his predecessor. However, he aimed to immediately quiet down the trust issues and show confidence in his leadership[3].
Tucker's transition from the private sector to the fire commissioner role was not straightforward. Nevertheless, he believes his skills are valuable. He served on the board of several organizations, including the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, which might have honed his leadership and listening skills[4].
In conclusion, Tucker's goal is to address the issues that were causing problems within the FDNY. He is focusing on building a strong relationship with the department, prioritizing open communication, and inclusive leadership to rebuild trust and improve departmental culture[1][2][3][4].
[1] New York Daily News. (2020, January 16). New FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker: I don't know much about firefighting, but I'll learn. Retrieved from https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-new-fdny-commissioner-robert-tucker-new-york-20200116-6hkp2qy6zjfh567vj566r5556-story.html
[2] NY1 News. (2020, January 16). New FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker wants to rebuild trust, focus on culture. Retrieved from https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/01/16/new-fdny-commissioner-robert-tucker-wants-to-rebuild-trust-focus-on-culture
[3] The City. (2020, January 16). New FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker Vows to Reverse Course on Laura Kavanagh. Retrieved from https://thecity.nyc/2020/01/new-fdny-commissioner-robert-tucker-vows-to-reverse-course-on-laura-kavanagh.html
[4] Crain's New York Business. (2020, January 16). New FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker has no firefighting experience, but he’s got big plans. Retrieved from https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/new-fdny-commissioner-robert-tucker-has-no-firefighting-experience-but-hes-got-big-plans
Tucker, intent on improving the department's culture and rebuilding trust, made sports-betting a topic of interest when he engaged in numerous informal conversations with firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and civilian staff, understanding their concerns and ideas. Despite having no experience as a firefighter, Tucker envisioned himself as the CEO of the FDNY, with a strategic plan aimed at sports-betting regulation, if deemed necessary for department members' well-being and morale.
