Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker appoints Jeffrey Thompson as new fire commissioner

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia leaders gathered Monday evening in Northern Liberties to swear in the city’s new fire commissioner.

Mayor Cherelle Parker spoke about her choice to appoint Jeffrey Thompson to the position.

“I believe we have found and appointed exactly the person we need to lead our fire department: Jeffrey Thompson. Under his leadership, our doctors and firefighters will continue to provide dedicated service to those who live, work and play in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Parker. .

Thompson succeeds Acting Commissioner Craig Murphy, who recently retired.

He said he believes he is ready for the opportunity to lead the department and is humbled by the mayor’s confidence in his abilities to lead.

“I am absolutely ready to pursue this opportunity, but I know that success will only come with the full support of more than 3,000 members of this department,” said Thompson, a Philadelphia native.

He joined the fire service in 1989.