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John M. Esposito

Chief Esposito began his career with the Department in 1991 and most recently served as Chief of Operations, where he oversaw the day-to-day work of more than 11,000 firefighters and fire officers, as well as dozens of high-ranking Staff Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs, and Battalion Chiefs.

Previous to his appointment as Chief of Operations, Chief Esposito was the Chief of Special Operations Command, where his responsibilities included leading Rescue Marine, Hazardous Material Operations, and the FDNY Robotics Unit.

His first assignment in 1991 was at Engine Company 324 in Queens. As a firefighter, he was also assigned to Engine Company 47 and Squad Company 18 in Manhattan. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2001 and returned to Squad Company 18 in Manhattan. In 2003, he was promoted to Captain and worked Division 13 in Queens and in the Special Operations Command; in 2005 he was promoted to Battalion Chief and served in Battalion 13 and later Battalion 11 in Manhattan. In 2011, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and assigned to Division 1 in Manhattan, and later served in Division 3 in Manhattan. In 2017, he was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief and named Chief of Special Operations Command. In 2020, he was promoted once again, this time to Assistant Chief. In 2022, he was promoted to Chief of Operations, where he served until becoming Acting Chief of Department in June 2024.

He is a graduate of Stony Brook University, the FDNY's Fire Officers Management Institute, and has a Master's Degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. Chief Esposito has also served as the Intelligence and Analysis Section Chief at the FDNY's Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. He also serves on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) High-Rise Building Safety Advisory Committee.