FDNY: New Post, New People Sworn In

ublished: January 30, 2015 FDNY's First Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Sworn In, Six Senior Officers Promoted The newly appointed and promoted members. (L to R) Chief of EMS Communications Anthony Napoli; Chief of Training Stephen Raynis; Deputy Fire Commissioner, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Pamela Lassiter; Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro; Chief of Department James Leonard; Chief of Operations John Sudnik; Chief of EMS James Booth; Assistant Chief of EMS Michael Fitton; Chief of Fire Prevention Ronald Spadafora. The FDNY celebrated the future on Jan. 30, swearing in the first-ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and promoting six senior Fire and EMS officers at FDNY Headquarters. “These men and women will help us move forward in a new and exciting direction,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. During the ceremony, Pamela Lassiter was sworn in as Deputy Fire Commissioner, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. In addition, six chiefs were promoted, including John Sudnik to Chief of Operations, Stephen Raynis to Chief of Training, Ronald Spadafora to Chief of Fire Prevention, James Booth to Chief of EMS, Michael Fitton to Assistant Chief of EMS and Anthony Napoli to Chief of EMS Communications. “They make us so much stronger as a Department,” Chief of Department James Leonard said.  The newly appointed and promoted members were applauded as the ceremony came to a close. Pamela Lassiter Deputy Commissioner Lassiter will ensure all recruitment and diversity strategic initiatives comply with Department of Citywide Administrative Services and Law Department guidelines, serving as liaison to employee affinity and fraternal organizations. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School and has extensive experience in diversity and inclusion, Equal Employment Opportunity and workforce development, in both the public and private sectors. She has worked for the U.S. Department of Labor, Empire BlueCross Blue Shield, City University of New York and University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.  Before joining FDNY, Lassiter was Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs at Southern Connecticut State University, where she was responsible for university compliance, complaint investigations and training for more than 11,000 employees and students.  John Sudnik As Chief of Operations, Assistant Chief John Sudnik will be the second highest uniformed member of the FDNY, and will oversee the Department’s Bureau of Operations. He is tasked with supporting the integral functions of the entire Fire Department with regards to the planning, strategic and logistical resources they need to safely and effectively respond to and operate at emergencies. Chief Sudnik is a 29-year veteran of FDNY, with a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He has served throughout the five boroughs, including as the Borough Commander in both Queens and Manhattan. Stephen A. Raynis Assistant Chief Stephen A. Raynis now oversees the Department’s Bureau of Training, tasked with the initial and continuing development of skills that all Fire and EMS uniformed personnel need to safely and effectively respond to fires, medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts. Chief Raynis is a 33-year veteran of FDNY, with a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He has served in several citywide posts, mostly recently Chief of Safety. Ronald R. Spadafora Assistant Chief Ronald R. Spadafora now serves as Chief of Fire Prevention, overseeing the Department’s inspection and prevention efforts. His work includes enforcing the Fire Code, and certifying civilians responsible for operating and maintaining fire protection systems throughout the city. Chief Spadafora is a 36-year veteran of FDNY, and holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Long Island University’s C.W. Post Center.  James P. Booth Chief of EMS James P. Booth now supervises 3,700 EMS officers, paramedics, EMTs and civilian employees, and is responsible for overseeing operations, planning, strategic initiatives and logistics in the Bureau of EMS.   Chief Booth, a 31-year veteran, studied Emergency Management at the John Jay College of the City University of New York. He also completed the FDNY Officers Management Institute and FDNY’s Advanced Leadership Course.  Michael J. Fitton Assistant Chief of EMS Michael J. Fitton serves as Chief Booth’s second-in-command. The 30-year veteran has served at EMS stations throughout New York City, and most recently was Chief of Emergency Medical Dispatch. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Community Affairs from Empire State College of the City University of New York.  Anthony V. Napoli Chief Anthony Napoli, a 27-year veteran, will oversee the EMS processing and 911 dispatching as Chief of EMS Communications.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Queens College.  He also graduated from the FDNY Officers Management Institute and FDNY’s Advanced Leadership Course.