Cassano has held every rank in the department during his career ( beginning as a firefighter in 1969 ) , and was instrumental in rebuilding the department after 343 firefighters died as a result of the September 11 attacks , after which he was named Chief of Operations . He was appointed Chief of Department , the highest uniformed position in the department , in 2006 , and his appointment as Fire Commissioner was announced by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on 21 December 2009 . In 2011 , in recognition of his service to the city of New York , he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor . He was retained by New Mayor Bill De Blasio on what he emphasized was on an interim basis
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Salvatore Cassano