FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker will resign his post on December 19, shortly after the mayoral election. Tucker, who was appointed in 2024, did not give a reason for his departure but thanked Mayor Adams. His successor will be appointed by Zohran Mamdani, who will assume office on January 1, 2026. An interim acting fire commissioner is expected to be named.
The omission of funding for the World Trade Center Health Program in a recent stopgap spending bill has angered 9/11 first responders and their unions. The bill, intended to avoid a government shutdown, failed to extend funding beyond 2027, despite prior expectations of full funding through 2040. Union representatives expressed outrage at the lack of long-term commitment to care for the thousands suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, emphasizing the ongoing need for treatment and financial security. While some lawmakers have pledged to reinstate the funding, the exclusion underscores a failure to fulfill promises made to these individuals.
John Q. Hosedrinker