Newly appointed NYC Emergency Management Commissioner is fourth-generation

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fourth-generation Staten Islander John Scrivani will be the next Commissioner of New York City Emergency Management (OEM), Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday.

Scrivani is replacing Commissioner Deanne Criswell, who was nominated by President Joe Biden to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

De Blasio said Scrivani is the “definition of a true New Yorker.”

“He’s someone who has served New York City for a long time in a lot of different ways and really has shown his love for this city and his commitment,” de Blasio said.

Scrivani said he’s devoted his life and his career to his fellow citizens in times of crisis and he’s looking forward to continuing the work done by Commissioner Criswell.

“I’ve seen the worst that can happen, but it’s always brought out the best in us. The strength and resilience of my fellow New Yorkers always gives me hope and this is no different,” Scrivani said.

He briefly reminisced about the good times he’s had working for the city — working parades in Manhattan and major sporting events as a member of the NYPD.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Scrivani was a fifth generation member of the NYPD and was promoted to sergeant right before September 11, 2001. Following the 9/11 attacks, he ran operations coordination at Ground Zero. He also ran the NYPD Hazmat Weapons Mass Destruction team during the Anthrax attacks, the report says, as well as assisted during Hurricane Sandy.

Scrivani previously held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Operations for New York City Emergency Management and also worked for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

Before his recent appointment, Scrivani, 48, moved to Spotsylvanie County, Virginia and worked in Richmond, Virginia as the Director of Safety, Security and Emergency Management for the Virginia Department of Transportation, according to a report.

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit in 2020, he drove back to Brooklyn to help the city set up temporary morgues in an area hardest-hit by the virus.

Now, he, his wife Michelle and children Jack, Amelia, and Leo are New York City residents once again.

“New Yorkers have had to go through so much over the past year, they deserve to get their city back as swiftly and safely as possible and be truly prepared for the future,” he said.

“I am thankful that the mayor is entrusting me with this important role.”

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