PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s official: longtime firefighter Jeffrey Thompson is Philadelphia’s new Fire Commissioner under Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration.
With a smile on his face in the presence of the mayor, Managing Director Adam Thiel, and other city officials, the 59-year-old humbly accepted his new role as the head of the city’s Fire Department.
Thompson, a Germantown native, joined the fire department in 1989 and has worked across the city. He says the Philadelphia Fire Department is family not only because of his long career but also literally — his father was a firefighter for 25 years before he retired in the ’80s.
“I am ready to use all of the knowledge, skills, and experience that I've gained in my career to make this department the best it can be,” he said.
During his swearing-in on Monday evening, Commissioner Thompson told a story about when his daughters were young, they had a motivational poster that hung up in the basement that read “Success happens when preparation meets opportunity.” He says that message resonates with him.
“I am absolutely prepared for this opportunity, yet I know success will only come with the full support of the more than 3,000 members of this department,” he said. “Those men and women do the hard work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”
In the coming years, Thompson says he expects more resources for medics and dispatchers, in addition to the reopening of Engine 6 in Port Richmond.
Thompson briefly served as Acting Fire Commissioner, after Craig Murphy retired in January. Before him, Thiel served as the fire commissioner before stepping down and becoming the city’s managing director.