Laura Kavanagh
Laura Kavanagh, is the 34th Fire Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), the first woman to hold the position. Appointed by mayor Eric Adams on October 27, 2022, Kavanagh oversaw the diversification of the FDNY applicant pool, including graduating the largest group of women in nearly three decades. As a civilian, Kavanagh oversees the day-to-day operations of the largest fire department in the country with more than 17,000 employees and a 2 billion dollar budget.
Laura Kavanagh | |
|---|---|
Kavanagh being sworn in as New York City's 34th Fire Commissioner at official ceremony on Thursday, October 27, 2022 | |
| 34th New York City Fire Commissioner | |
| Assumed office October 27, 2022 Acting: February 16, 2022 – October 27, 2022 | |
| Mayor | Eric Adams |
| Preceded by | Daniel A. Nigro |
| First Deputy Commissioner of New York City Fire Department | |
| In office January 2018 – February 16, 2022 | |
| Commissioner | Daniel A. Nigro |
| Preceded by | Robert Turner |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Ross |
| Residence(s) | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Whittier College (BS) Columbia University (MPA) |
Prior to her appointment as Fire Commissioner, Kavanagh spent several years with the FDNY, involved in the agency's response to major incidents including the Ebola outbreak of 2015 and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Kavanagh's tenure as commissioner has been met with opposition by the rank and file members of the FDNY based on her relatively young age, lack of any experience as a first responder and allegations of her department demoting older more experienced Fire Chiefs.