Spouse(s) Joan Rivera | Name Carlos Rivera | |
Born 1934 New York City, New York Occupation FDNY Commissioner
1990-1993 | ||
Nationality Puerto Rican/American | ||
Carlos M. Rivera (born 1934) is the first Hispanic commissioner in the New York City Fire Department's 127-year history. He was appointed the 27th Fire Commissioner of the City of New York by Mayor David N. Dinkins on January 1, 1990 and served in that position until his resignation on August 31, 1993.
Career
Rivera's parents moved from Puerto Rico to New York City, where he was born, in the early 1930s. There Rivera received his primary and secondary education. He joined the New York City Fire Department in 1958 and worked his way up in the department serving in various leadership positions. On January 1, 1990, New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins named Rivera the 27th commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. As commissioner he was responsible for that departments $634 million budget. He was also responsible for the 11,500 firefighters under his command.
Rivera resigned on August 31, 1993, stating that "Family reasons and health considerations" was the reason for his decision. However, it is believed that Rivera was under pressure from the moment he was appointed, in December 1989, as the Dinkins administration tried to hold down costs citywide.