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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 212-06
June 19, 2006

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER SCOPPETTA ANNOUNCE APPOINTMENT OF SALVATORE CASSANO AS CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT AND PATRICK MCNALLY AS CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today announced the appointment of Salvatore J. Cassano as the FDNY's next Chief of Department - the highest-ranking uniformed position in the agency.  Chief Cassano, a 36-year veteran who has served as Chief of Operations since September 2001 will become the 33rd Chief of Department in the agency's 141-year history.  His appointment is effective June 17, when he will succeed current Chief of Department Peter E. Hayden, who was appointed to the post in June 2004 and will be retiring after more than 37 years in the Department. The Mayor and Fire Commissioner also announced the appointment of Assistant Chief Patrick M. McNally as the next Chief of Operations.  Chief McNally is a 28-year veteran currently serving as Chief of Fire Prevention.  His appointment date is also effective June 17.

"With more than 65 years of combined experience, Chief Cassano and Chief McNally are prime examples of two individuals who have selflessly and heroically dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the people of New York City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "In the aftermath of September 11th, the Fire Department relied heavily on the experience and leadership of its senior members. Along with Chief Hayden, Chiefs Cassano and McNally played a critical role in the rebuilding of the Department. Under their continued leadership, the FDNY will continue to flourish and be the best equipped and most advanced fire department in the country."

"Both Chief Cassano and Chief McNally have proven themselves to be strong, committed leaders," said Fire Commissioner Scoppetta.  "During the past five years, they have worked tirelessly to help rebuild the Department after September 11th.  The depth of their experience and their unmatched knowledge of the Department will ensure that our Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics have the resources and training that they need to perform their jobs at the highest levels." 

Chief Cassano was appointed to the Department in 1969, and as a Firefighter worked for several years at engine companies in Lower Manhattan.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1977 and worked at Ladder 113 in Brooklyn, where he also served after his promotion to Captain in 1984.  He continued to rise through the ranks as Battalion Chief (1987), Deputy Chief (1993), Deputy Assistant Chief (1999) and Assistant Chief (2001), working in various assignments throughout the city, including Citywide Tour Commander. He has been cited five times for bravery during his career.

Following the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, Chief Cassano was named Chief of Operations, succeeding Chief Daniel Nigro who was appointed Chief of Department following the line-of-duty death of Chief of Department Peter Ganci.  As Chief of Operations, Chief Cassano held the second-highest uniformed rank in the Department, managing daily fire and EMS operations for the Department's 11,500 firefighters and 2,800 EMTs and paramedics.  In his role as Chief of Department he will oversee the Department's three major uniformed Bureaus: Operations, Training and Fire Prevention.

Chief Cassano has a Bachelor of Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  He and his wife, Theresa, reside on Staten Island.  They have five children.

Chief McNally was appointed to the Fire Department in 1977 and was assigned to Ladder Company 55 in the Bronx until his promotion to Lieutenant in 1983.  He worked as a Lieutenant at Engine Company 58 in Harlem before successive promotions to higher ranks: Captain (1989), Battalion Chief (1993) and Deputy Chief (2000).  He was appointed a Deputy Assistant Chief in 2002 and assigned as Deputy Borough Commander of Queens.  In 2004, he was appointed Assistant Chief in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. While there, he oversaw the work of more than 350 civilian and uniformed staff responsible for enforcement of the City's fire code.  He is also the principal FDNY official involved in two major citywide initiatives: the creation of an Emergency Action Plan for building evacuations in non-fire emergencies and the Building and Fire Code Revision project.  He has been cited five times for bravery during his career. As Chief of Operations, Chief McNally will oversee the day-to-day operations of the firefighting and EMS workforce, comprised of more than 14,300 employees.

Chief McNally has a Bachelor of Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for nearly 30 years and reside in Bellerose Village, NY.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Virginia Lam   (212) 788-2958

Francis X. Gribbon   (Fire Department)
(718) 999-2056




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