NEW YORK — The two high-ranking uniformed members of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) have asked to resign their designated positions in protest of the demotions of three chiefs of staff, FDNY sources told NBC 4 New York. .
Department Chief John Hodgens and Fire Operations Chief John Esposito called to resign after FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh told Luis Martinez, the chief of staff, to brief Deputy Chiefs Michael Gala, Fred Schaaf and Joseph Jardin that they would be demoted to underboss in 30 days.
Hodgens and Esposito expressed their dissatisfaction with the demotations of the bosses, who are in the department’s line of succession, in emails sent to executives late Sunday, the sources said.
“We do not comment on personnel movements,” the FDNY’s top spokesman, Frank Dwyer, said Monday.
Commissioner Kavanaugh did not inform Mayor Eric Adams about the personnel changes, but Esposito was expected to meet with the City Council on Monday, the sources said.
