Bridgeport names new emergency operations director

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 position.

Anyone seeking to perceive the significance of the place wants solely to think about the evolving crises, giant and small, pure and artifical, Appleby helped handle throughout his 30-year watch: massive firesfloods, blizzards, to tornadoeven explosion that melted the interstate, a train derailmentpreparation for terrorist assaults and faculty 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 keeping with town.

Most just lately he was appearing deputy director answerable 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 prepare 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.