By: Rob Otto

Robert Tucker, CEO and chairman of security firm T&M, is expected to be named the new commissioner of the FDNY on Monday, sources told the NY Post.

Tucker will likely be appointed by Mayor Eric Adams to replace Laura Kavanagh, who resigned earlier this month amidst controversy and friction within the department regarding her leadership.

Tucker, who has been a prominent figure in the security industry and is considered a top candidate for the position, has deep ties to the FDNY. He serves on the board of the FDNY Foundation, an organization he became involved with after the 9/11 attacks. However, despite his extensive connections to the department, Tucker has never served as a firefighter.

Reflecting on his lifelong interest in the FDNY, Tucker once described himself as a “fire buff,” a passion that began in his childhood. “When I was a young boy growing up in Manhattan, I was a fire buff. I used to chase fire engines on my bicycle,” Tucker recalled, according to an FDNY Foundation spotlight.

His fascination with the FDNY led him to meet former Commissioner Joseph Spinnato, who served in the role during the 1980s. As a teenager, Tucker worked in the FDNY’s Manhattan Communications Office, a job he described as “the best offer I would ever receive.”

A graduate of George Washington University and Pace University School of Law, Tucker began his career as a special assistant in the Queens District Attorney’s Office before joining T&M in 1999. Under his leadership, the security firm has grown to provide a wide range of services, including integrated security, cyber, intelligence, and investigative solutions.

City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy declined to confirm or deny the anticipated appointment on Sunday night, stating, “As we always say, no appointment is made until it is announced.” Tucker’s name has been in consideration for the commissioner role before, as Mayor Adams had previously contemplated appointing him to replace then-Commissioner Daniel Nigro. However, Adams ultimately chose Laura Kavanagh, who made history as the first woman to lead the FDNY.

Kavanagh’s tenure was marked by significant challenges, including internal disputes with department leaders and an age discrimination lawsuit filed by senior officials she had demoted. Additionally, she faced criticism for attempting to discipline FDNY members who booed radical, extremist, New York Attorney General Letitia James during a promotion ceremony earlier this year.

In 2014, Tucker was named an honorary fire commissioner and has since remained deeply involved with the FDNY Foundation. Speaking about his commitment to the department, Tucker emphasized the importance of fundraising for the foundation to support the FDNY’s operational needs, particularly in high-rise safety and communication equipment.

Beyond his work with the FDNY, Tucker also holds positions on the board of trustees for the New York City Police Foundation and other non-profit organizations. His extensive experience in the security sector and his long-standing dedication to public safety are expected to shape his leadership as the new FDNY commissioner, pending official confirmation of his appointment.