Mayor Walsh names new Boston fire commissioner
John “Jack” Dempsey, a 35-year Boston Fire Department veteran, officially steps into his new role as commissioner Friday.
Mayor Marty Walsh announced Friday that John “Jack” Dempsey would officially take on the role of commissioner of the Boston Fire Department.
I am proud to appoint John Dempsey as Commissioner of the @BostonFire Department. Commissioner Dempsey is a 35-year veteran of BFD and has risen through the ranks of leadership.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) April 24, 2020
Since being appointed Interim Commissioner in early March, he has done an outstanding job under challenging circumstances with #COVID19. He’s approaching this challenge with the same professionalism & decisiveness he’s shown throughout his career.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) April 24, 2020
Dempsey, a 35-year member of the department, had already been serving in the interim role since former Commissioner Joe Finn retired last month.
For four years, he also served as the Boston fire marshal, and most recently, he was the department’s chief of operations.
“He has dedicated his life in his professional career and personal capacity to promoting safety and wellness for firefighters,” Walsh said in a statement. “And I look forward to his continued leadership in this critically important department.”
Since stepping up as commissioner amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Dempsey has focused on the health and safety of firefighters by supplying crews with personal protective equipment, mandating training for infectious disease response, and adjusting staffing levels to enhance social distancing.
As Boston fire marshal, Dempsey managed the department’s fire prevention division, and oversaw the fire investigation unit, construction safety unit and all inspections required by Massachusetts General Laws.
While acting as chief of operations, he was the highest ranking uniformed firefighter in the force, according to the statement, and oversaw all the department’s divisions.
“I am proud to be named the Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department,” Dempsey said in a statement. “As a lifelong member of the department, this is a tremendous honor for me, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations set to ensure the safety and well-being of our firefighters and our community.”
Congratulations to John “Jack” Dempsey who way appointed by Mayor @marty_walsh to be the next Boston Fire Commissioner. An experienced veteran who has worked his way up the ranks . A true leader who has been protecting the members of the BFD thru this deadly epidemic. pic.twitter.com/4sfMJAektq
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) April 24, 2020
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