Fire Commissioner Nigro Presides over Promotion Ceremony for FDNY Officers

September 14, 2018

On Friday, September 14th, Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro presided over the promotion ceremony for 91 FDNY officers at Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn.

28 Firefighters were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 2 Fire Marshals were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 30 Lieutenants were promoted to Captain, 19 Captains were promoted to Battalion Chief, 2 Battalion Chiefs were promoted to Deputy Chief, 5 Deputy Chiefs were promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief, 4 Deputy Assistant Chiefs were promoted to Assistant Chief, and 1 EMS Deputy Chief was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief.

Fire Commissioner Nigro commended the officers for their hard work and commitment to protecting life and property in the city as they expand on their leadership roles with even greater responsibilities.

“Getting promoted in this job is no easy task, it takes a great deal of studying and years of experience fighting fires, responding to medical emergencies, and learning what it means to truly lead others,” said Commissioner Nigro. “A great deal has been asked of you already in your careers, and starting today, we will ask even more of you.”

The Commissioner acknowledged two members, Captain Sean B. Herran and Lieutenant William D. Heeran – who lost their brother, Charlie, who was working for Cantor Fitzgerald and was killed on September 11th.

“I used to work on Wall Street, I was down there when the planes hit the towers, my brother - Charlie worked in finance and was killed in the attack,” said Lieutenant William D. Heeran. “During that time I saw the FDNY working and that was part of the reason I decided to join the Department in 2003, it’s a bittersweet moment to get promoted, but it has been great and I am looking forward to learning a lot.”

Both brothers were further encouraged to join the Department as their father retired as an FDNY Firefighter.

“My father is retired Firefighter Bernard Herran of Engine 281, so the Department is in our family,” said Captain Sean B. Herran. “A lot changed when Charlie was killed during the attacks on 9/11, I felt like joining this Department was something I had to do, I love this job and I want to be better and keep learning.”

The promotion ceremony was also a family affair for Deputy Chief Denise Werner, who was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief.

“I have always been interested in the medical field and that is why I decided to start this career,” said Chief Werner. “I have two daughters on the job, EMT Kristina Howe and EMT Kimberly Werner, I love being their mentor and role model.”

The officers will be assigned to units throughout New York City.

For photos of the promotion ceremony, click here.