BRIDGEPORT — Francisco Rivera was appointed Monday to take over the essential job of director of emergency operations.
A 16-year veteran of that division, Rivera replaces Scott Appleby, who retired final 12 months after three many years within the function.
Anyone trying to perceive the significance of the place want solely think about the evolving crises, giant and small, pure and artifical, Appleby helped tackle throughout his 30-year watch: massive fires, floods, blizzards, a tornado, an explosion that melted the interstate, a train derailment, preparation for terrorist assaults and college shootings, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Rivera joined the municipal workforce in August 2010 as a telecommunicator and by 2012 had been promoted to a supervisory place inside emergency communications “overseeing daily operations and technological troubleshooting,” in accordance with town.
Most not too long ago he was performing deputy director liable for the 911 system. According to town’s announcement, Rivera has “played a pivotal role in the city’s response to major events” from multi-alarm fires to extreme climate emergencies to the 2013 practice derailment, and “his expertise spans the full spectrum of emergency management.”
“Francisco Rivera represents the very best of Bridgeport’s dedicated workforce,” Mayor Joe Ganim mentioned Monday. “His deep institutional knowledge, combined with his proven leadership during high-stress emergencies, makes him the ideal person to lead our Emergency Operations Center into the future.”
In an accompanying assertion, Rivera mentioned he was honored to have been chosen from the aggressive course of.
“Having spent my entire career within this department, I understand the weight of our responsibility to our citizens and our first responders,” he continued. “My focus will be on ensuring effective communication and rapid response during emergencies, as well as mitigation and preparedness to ensure Bridgeport remains a safe and resilient community.”
David Reyes, a deputy chief administration officer for the mayor, has been the interim emergency administration chief since Applyby retired.
