Mayor's New Appointment For Fire Commissioner Has Some Groups Speaking Out
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Some groups are questioning why the Mayor needed to go outside of the fire department to find a capable leader.
The Firefighters Union said they'll see how this pans out, but that someone from within would have a better understanding of the department and its members. And it's not just the union that's less than thrilled with the appointment.
The high-profile appointment was met with high criticism.
"There are a number of qualified members inside of the Philadelphia Fire Department, who could have taken over the position, the mayor chose to go outside the department," said Andrew Thomas, president of the Local 22 Firefighters and Paramedics Union.
The new Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel comes to Philadelphia from Virginia, where he served as Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Mayor Kenney says he wanted someone with a different perspective.
"I think the current commissioner has done a good job, but I do think that some of the decision made by the administration is in the last 8 years has created a serious problem within our department, relative to forced rotation and brown outs. There's a need for a fresh set of eyes, new equipment, and a new fire apparatus," the mayor said.
Existing commissioner Derrick Sawyer has been with the department for more than 30 years, but in the commissioner role just less than 2 years.
Club Valiants, the group representing some 400 current black Philadelphia firefighters also criticized the mayor. They released a statement, reading in part:
"While we respect the mayor exercising his prerogative to choose his own administration, we do not believe that there is justification for removing an effective leader with a stellar record. In Commissioner Sawyer's tenure, Philadelphia has experienced its lowest recorded annual fire death rate in its entire history. "
When asked about concern over his appointment, Thiel responded by saying he's looking ahead.
"I'm looking forward to working with Club Valiants and Local 22 , and working with everyone in our department to make sure we have a diverse and inclusive work place, that we have everything we need, the training , the equipment and everything else."
