NYC Names Emergency Management Veteran As Commissioner

NEW YORK, NY — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of Christina Farrell as commissioner of New York City Emergency Management.

NYCEM is the agency responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning, response and recovery efforts.

Farrell has served as first deputy commissioner of NYCEM since October 2021.

“I’m honored to be appointed Commissioner of NYCEM, an agency that protects 8.5 million New Yorkers when they need us most, and to continue serving alongside the dedicated professionals who do this work every day,” Farrell said.

Mamdani noted her three decades in public service and her recent years as First Deputy Commissioner, during which she guided the city through crises.

For emergency management, Farrell said this means ensuring preparedness reaches every neighborhood, that response is coordinated and effective and that New Yorkers can trust the agency will be there when crisis strikes.

Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson highlighted Commissioner Farrell's three decades of experience, including 23 years at NYCEM. Kerson said this experience equips Farrell with the knowledge and vision to guide New York City through any emergency, including Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Farrell's past roles include leading the city through complex crises such as the 2003 citywide blackout, Hurricane Sandy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She joined NYCEM in 2003 as its first director of grants. She also created the agency’s external affairs division and oversaw programs like Community Emergency Response Teams and Ready New York.