Fire Commissioner Raymond “Doc” Kiernan today announced his retirement from the New Rochelle Fire Department. Commissioner Kiernan has served the City for 45 years. His retirement becomes effective July 30, 2011.
“I certainly had a very rewarding career,” said Commissioner Kiernan. “It was an honor to be head of the New Rochelle Fire Department for so long, and I look forward to new blood carrying it into the future.”
“Words cannot express the impact of the Commissioner’s decades of service to the city,” said City Manager Charles B. Strome, III. “Doc will be severely missed by everyone who lives and works in New Rochelle. He truly is a public servant, who insured public safety for a long period of time.”
Strome indicated that no successor has been named as yet, and that the City would be conducting an extensive evaluation and search in the months to come.
Raymond “Doc” Kiernan is a fireman’s fire commissioner. He rose through the ranks during his fire-fighting career to become Commissioner in 1985.
Commissioner Kiernan is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, having served from 1965-1971 on active duty and in the reserves. He attended the National Fire Academy in Maryland as well as the New York Fire Academy.
His professional affiliations include the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Northeastern States Fire Consortium, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Westchester Career Fire Chiefs Association, National Fire Protection Association, and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.
Additionally, Commissioner Kiernan serves as a member of the Fire Advisory Board to the County Executive, is on the Board of Directors of the Westchester Fire Fighters Emerald Society Pipe Band, and is serving as the current past Chairman of the New York State Career Fire Chiefs Committee. In the past he has served as a member of the New Rochelle Uniformed Fire Fighters Association Executive Board and past President of the New Rochelle Fire Officers Association.
Commissioner Kiernan has been honored a number of times. His awards include Civic Achievement Awards from the Knights of Columbus, 1987; Huguenot Lions Club, 1990; Casa Calabria, 1994; and Advocate for the Senior Community Award in 1997.
