Carlos M. Rivera

Carlos M. Rivera (1934 – October 12, 2020)[1] was the first Hispanic commissioner in the New York City Fire Department's 127-year history.[2] He was appointed the 27th Fire Commissioner[3] of the City of New York by Mayor David Dinkins on January 1, 1990 and served in that position until his resignation on August 31, 1993.[4][5]

Carlos M. Rivera
Born1934
New York City, New York
Died(2020-10-12)October 12, 2020 (aged 86)
NationalityPuerto Rican/American
Occupation(s)FDNY Commissioner
1990-1993
SpouseJoan Rivera
Firefighter career
DepartmentNew York City Fire Department
Service years1958-1993

Career

Rivera's parents moved from Puerto Rico to New York City, where he was born in 1934. There Rivera received his primary and secondary education. He joined the New York City Fire Department on July 23, 1958[6] and worked his way up in the department serving in various leadership positions. Initially he served in the Bronx, but moved to Manhattan after his promotion to lieutenant in 1964.[1] On January 1, 1990, New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins named Rivera the 27th commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. As commissioner he was responsible for that departments $634 million budget. He was also responsible for the 11,500 firefighters under his command.[7] During the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Rivera was in charge of the response of the fire department.[1]

Rivera resigned on August 31, 1993, stating that "Family reasons and health considerations" was the reason for his decision. However, it is believed that Rivera was under pressure from the moment he was appointed, in December 1989, as the Dinkins administration tried to hold down costs citywide.[8]

Rivera died on October 12, 2020, aged 86.[1][9]

See also

References
  1. "First Hispanic FDNY Commissioner Carlos Rivera dead at 86, led department's response to 1993 WTC terrorist bombing". MSN. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. Barron, James (26 November 1992). "Rivera to Quit Top Position In Fire Dept. (Published 1992)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023.
  3. Weikart, Lynne A. (2009), Follow the money: who controls New York City mayors?, SUNY Press, ISBN 978-1-4384-2531-3
  4. "Chips Off an Old Bloc - New York Times". The New York Times. 3 September 1993. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  5. Manegold, Catherine S. (19 October 1993). "Giuliani Accuses Dinkins Of a 'Surrender' on Drugs - NYTimes.com". New York City: Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  6. "FDNY Foundation Mourns the loss of Retired FDNY Fire Commissioner Carlos M. Rivera". FDNY Foundation. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  7. ["Tras las Huellas de Nuestro Paso", publisher: Asociacion de Empleados Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico.
  8. Barron, James (26 November 1992). "Rivera to Quit Top Position In Fire Dept. (Published 1992)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023.
  9. "Former FDNY Commissioner Carlos M. Rivera Dies". Spectrum News NY1. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
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