NYC Mayor Adams names new FDNY commissioner: Robert Tucker, security executive

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday he has appointed security executive Robert Tucker as the city’s new FDNY commissioner.

Tucker, 54, served as president and CEO of the private security and investigations company T & M USA for the past 25 years. He is also secretary of the FDNY Foundation charity and was previously named as "honorary commissioner" of the FDNY and the NYPD, according to his company bio.

Adams made the announcement at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island, before a backdrop of a fire engine and an American flag, with a benediction by Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Tucker is the FDNY’s 35th commissioner and replaces Laura Kavanagh, the department’s first woman to serve as commissioner, who leaves in the wake of an age discrimination lawsuit filed against her last year by several high-ranking chiefs.

Kavanagh, a civilian employee with the department since 2014, was hired as director of external affairs. She served as deputy commissioner since 2017 before being named commissioner following the retirement of Daniel Nigro.

A graduate of George Washington University and the Pace University School of Law, Tucker has also served as vice chairman and then chairman of the New York State Security Guard Advisory Council.

Adams swore in Tucker on Monday, noting the achievements by Kavanagh and the rifts in the department that Tucker would have to address. Adams said Tucker was hired with the approval of the Vulcan Society, a historically Black firefighters group.

Kavanagh left amid reports of low morale and tension in the department among the rank-and-file members, as well as high-ranking chiefs, including several who filed lawsuits, alleging they were demoted or forced to retire due to their age.

Adams had previously praised Kavanagh and told her she could stay in the position as long as she wanted. Kavanagh said in a statement last month that she was leaving to spend more time with family and friends.

"The FDNY is not perfect, but we don’t have to be perfect. We have to be dedicated, committed and focused. When the calls are made ... you respond," Adams said during the swearing-in ceremony.

Adams said Tucker was inheriting "a department that had to put out more than flames in a burning building. We had to put out flames in the agency. It’s going to take a level of honesty and the ability to communicate to accomplish this task."

Adams praised Kavanagh, who resigned effective Wednesday.

"It was a challenging task to be the first woman and the commissioner of the fire department. She stood up to that challenge and leaned into challenges, including lithium battery fires and bringing in more women into the department," Adams said.

After being sworn in on a Bible held by his father, Tucker said he spent his life dedicated to public safety, starting as an FDNY summer intern in 1985 and working in the communications office.

"I can think of no higher calling [than being] fire commissioner for the City of New York. This is truly a dream come true," Tucker said.

He said the department faces new challenges, including the battery fires, fentanyl drug overdoses and heat-related environmental conditions.

He said that the department and its culture must also evolve to address today’s problems.

"We have never been immune to problems. Like this department, public safety challenges have evolved," Tucker said. "As the landscape is changing, we must meet the moment and deliver real solutions for this city and the heroes who serve it."

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.