Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today announced the appointment of Frank Cruthers as the FDNY's 31st Chief of Department, marking the first time in Department history that a former Chief will return to the post. Chief Cruthers previously served in 1996. The Chief of Department is the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the FDNY and reports directly to the Fire Commissioner. Starting September 9th, Chief Cruthers will oversee the management of the 11,500-member uniformed force and other major bureaus, including Operations, Fire Prevention, Safety, EMS, and Communications. The Mayor and Fire Commissioner announced the appointment at FDNY headquarters in downtown Brooklyn.

"Frank Cruthers's devotion to the FDNY, experience rising through the ranks, and leadership over the last three decades make him the perfect choice to serve once again as Chief of Department," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Chief Cruthers will oversee the day-to-day operations of the world's greatest Fire Department during a time of tremendous challenges and opportunities to rebuild, reform, and adapt to new conditions and responsibilities. I am confident that Chief Cruthers will continue serving the FDNY and City of New York for the safety of all New Yorkers."

"The appointment of Chief Cruthers will continue to provide the Department with the kind of leadership we need in facing the challenges ahead, especially our efforts to rebuild and strengthen this great Department," Commissioner Scoppetta said. "Chief Cruthers has more than three decades of experience during which he has proven himself not only as a highly skilled fire operations chief, but also as an effective administrative manager."

Chief Cruthers is a 34-year veteran of the Fire Department. After graduating from the Fire Academy in 1968, he was assigned to Brooklyn, where he worked in Ladder Companies 110 and 120 for 9 years before being promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Ladder Company 105. He was promoted to Captain in 1983 and assigned to Ladder Company 143 in Queens.

Chief Cruthers continued to rise through the ranks, serving as Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, Deputy Assistant Chief and Assistant Chief. He has served as the commanding officer of the FDNY's elite Special Operations Command and is currently a Citywide Tour Commander, having been among the first to hold the position. He is also the son of former Chief of Department Francis Cruthers, who held the position from 1978 to 1980, making them the only father and son to ever to both serve as Chief of Department in FDNY history. Chief Cruthers has been married to his wife Eileen for 37 years. They live in Rockville Center on Long Island and have two sons, Frank and Scott.

The appointment of Chief Cruthers follows the announcement last week of a reorganization and expansion of the top uniformed ranks of the FDNY, including the creation of Borough Commands to decentralize the management of field operations. Commissioner Scoppetta increased the number of senior staff chiefs from 10 to 18 who will now participate in the day-to-day operations of the Department.