Michele Fitzsimmons became the New York City Fire Department's first female deputy chief. Fitzsimmons, a 24-year veteran of the FDNY, was promoted from battalion chief to deputy chief. Her appointment is said to be highest ranking of female within the department's fire operations.

FDNY officer Michele Fitzsimmons, who was told by her grandfather that “women shouldn’t be firefighters” is poised to become the highest-ranked woman uniformed firefighter in