Fire Officers Promoted

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta presided over a promotions ceremony for 106 FDNY members on May 11 at Queens College.

During the ceremony, one member was elevated to the rank of assistant chief, one member to deputy assistant chief, 15 members to deputy chief, 20 to battalion chief, seven to captain, and 60 to lieutenant. One member also was promoted to the rank of fire marshal and one member to marine engineer.

“What we are seeing today is the replenishment of our ranks,” said Commissioner Scoppetta. “Five years after 9/11, we continue to rebuild. And with every promotions ceremony we are growing stronger.”

Among the promoted members was Deputy Chief Jay Jonas, a 27-year veteran who, along with fellow members of Ladder Company 6, escaped the collapse of the World Trade Center's north tower on September 11, 2001.

Trapped for hours in Stairwell B, Chief Jonas and his firefighters helped rescue an employee of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“It’s nice to see the Department moving forward,” said Chief Jonas. “All the members that were with me on 9/11 and mentors that were instrumental to my career are here. It makes me reflect about how lucky I’ve been.”

Also promoted was Battalion Chief James Riches, who lost his son in the World Trade Center attacks, and Assistant Chief Thomas Jensen, who will now serve as chief of fire prevention.