Former FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta Dies at 83

Former FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, who took over in the aftermath of 9/11, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 83.

The FDNY announced his death Thursday afternoon on Facebook and Twitter. Named fire commissioner after 9/11, Scoppetta served under then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg from 2002 to 2010.

''We've all felt we wanted to do something, I think, since Sept. 11, to make some contribution to bring the city back,'' said Scoppetta at a 2001 news conference where Bloomberg announced his appointment. ''And this is by far the most unique and wonderful opportunity for me to do that."

When Scoppetta was appointed in 2002, the FDNY had more than 16,000 employees, including more than 11,000 firefighters and supervising officers, 2,900 Emergency Medical Services employees and 1,500 support staff.

"As Fire Commissioner, Nicholas Scoppetta was instrumental to rebuilding the FDNY during a time of unimaginable loss and devastation. The Department is stronger today thanks to his leadership in the years following September 11th. He was truly a public servant without peer, and we deeply mourn his loss," said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro in a statement according to ABC7.

"After 47 years in government and public service, there has been no greater reward than to have helped rebuild the fire department in the aftermath of 9/11," said Scoppetta in his October 2009 farewell letter to the FDNY.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff