33 Fire Department Members Promoted
Linda Graffagnino (center) holds her husband's lieutenant's badge. She is surrounded by Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and members of her husband's company, Ladder 5.
A two minute standing ovation honored the life of Lt. Joseph Graffagnino at a Fire Promotions ceremony on June 19.
Linda Graffagnino, the lieutenant’s wife, received an officer’s badge honoring her husband, who would have been promoted in the ceremony. He died tragically while fighting a seven-alarm fire in Manhattan on August 18, 2007.
Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes also was promoted to the rank of Chief Fire Marshal during the event at the Fire Academy, in which 33 members rose in rank.
“Today we celebrate your achievements, the fruits of your hard labor and the job well done that got you here,” Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said.
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano added: “This ceremony is the culmination of hard work on your part. You are our future leaders and we now will look to you to move this Department forward.”
The considerable crowd – who filled the stairwells, peered through the windows and leaned over the rooftops in the Field House – gave a moving tribute to Lt. Graffagnino’s family.
“I hope you will accept this token of the Department’s respect to honor your husband,” Commissioner Scoppetta said as he presented Linda Graffagnino with the badge.
Chief Byrnes also received cheers and congratulations as he became the 11th Chief Fire Marshal in the history of the Bureau of Fire Investigation.
He has served nearly 27 years with the FDNY, 19 as a fire marshal.
As Chief Fire Marshal, he said he hopes to instigate more training initiatives for marshals.
“This is the greatest Bureau of Fire Investigation in the world,” said Chief Byrnes. “And with more training and better fire marshals, we will be even better able to serve the citizens of this city.”
He follows in the footsteps of Chief Fire Marshal Louis Garcia, who recently retired after 35 years with the FDNY, 10 as the chief of Fire Investigations.
“[Chief Byrnes] is a great leader and a great investigator,” Chief Garcia said. “And I feel comfortable retiring knowing he’ll be in charge.”
Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes (right) is the 11th FDNY member to hold that position in the history of the Bureau of Fire Investigations.
In all, one was promoted to chief fire marshal, one to assistant chief fire marshal, one to supervising fire marshal-level II, eight to captain, one to supervising fire marshal and 21 to lieutenant during the ceremony.
The promoted members included:
CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Robert G. Byrnes
ASST. CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
Supervising Fire Marshal John D. Lynn, MNBAS
SUPERVISING FIRE MARSHAL L-II
Supervising Fire Marshal Stephen J. O’Keefe, BKBAS
CAPTAIN
Lt. Daniel J. Murray, L-45
Lt. Charles J. Ehni, E-217
Lt. James H. McCabe, MAR-6
Lt. Michael J. Quevedo, L-7
Lt. Kevin H. Woods, L-42
Lt. Steven G. Gentiluomo, L-1
Lt. James B. Leach, E-58
Lt. Paul E. Nugent, L-115
SUPERVISING FIRE MARSHAL
FM Vincent Palmieri, BKBAS
LIEUTENANT
FF Stephen R. Cross, L-123
FF Glenn R. Griffin, E-239
FF Robert J. Cuollo Jr., E-254
FF Daniel C. Browne, L-2
FF Daniel C. O'Shea, L-112
FF Robert L. Mallien, L-6
FF Stephen P. Duffy, L-16
FF Jerald A. Perillo, L-3
FF John M. Flanagan, E-62
FF Santo F. Ciccarello Jr, E-301
FF Brian J. Barto, L-103
FF Chris S. Smith, E-295
FF Andrew J. Mackenzie, L-163
FF Thomas J. Lofberg, L-40
FF John D. Lopez Jr, L-19
FF Mark Levens, L-110
FF Anthony Castagna, HAZBAT
FF Rocco J. Dimieri Jr, L-38
FF Thomas V. Madonna, E-255
FF Kenneth P. Kearns, L-9
FF Robert McKeefrey, L-138