Mayor Nutter names new Phila. fire commissioner

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Mayor Michael Nutter officially introduced the man who will replace Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers when he retires later this month.

"Derrick Sawyer is the right person at the right time in this critically important position and I'm very happy and pleased to make this appointment," said Mayor Nutter.

On Wednesday, Mayor Nutter announced that Deputy Commissioner Derrick Sawyer will take over effective on June 14th.

"First and foremost, I am a lifelong leader, a lifelong public servant," said Sawyer.

He has served 29 years with the department in every officer rank from lieutenant to deputy chief.

In December 2013, Sawyer was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Operations but soon he will take on the highest post in the department.

He says he wants to make Philadelphia one of the safest cities in the country.

"We continue with our community risk reduction efforts. We talk about what are the risks in the community and then we go out and attacks those risks. We reduce those risks and hazards so everyone can be safe," said Sawyer.

It's a continuation of Commissioner Ayers legacy. He joined the department in 1974 and was appointed commissioner by Mayor John Street in 2004. His retirement was announced months back.

In his time the fire department shifted it's focused from fighting fires to prevention efforts. He's credited with drastically reducing fire deaths through big pushes in fire prevention, especially major campaigns to get working smoke detectors with modern lithium batteries in homes across the city.

"We've had the opportunity through the years to really focus on fire prevention and that's what we've done," said Commissioner Ayers.

Joe Schulle the president of the firefighters union says he looks forward to working with the new commissioner.

"Hopefully we'll be able to mend some fences and will be able to work together to get some things accomplished both as a union and as a fire department," said Schulle.

Schulle says the issues he wants to address include the condition of equipment, the fire stations and the disciplinary process.

The mayor also announced other changes to the top ranks including the appointment of the city's first female Deputy Fire Commissioner.