Editor’s note: The video in the player above aired on Jan. 23, 2026.
NEW YORK (PIX11) — New York City has a new Emergency Management Commissioner.
Christina Farrell will lead the way as the new commissioner for the New York City Emergency Management, Mayor Zhoran Mamdani announced on Monday.
The agency is responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all types and scales of emergencies.
Farrell replaces Zach Ischol, who left on Feb. 11, after leading the department for four years.
In a statement released by the mayor’s office, Farrell said:
“I’m honored to be appointed Commissioner of NYCEM, an agency that protects 8.5 million New Yorkers when they need us most, and to continue serving alongside the dedicated professionals who do this work every day.”
Before becoming the new commissioner, Farrell had been First Deputy Commissioner of the NYCEM since October 2021. Altogether, she has over 20 years of experience working with the agency.
Andrew Cruz is a digital content producer. A native New Yorker, he joined PIX11 in 2009 as a weather producer. More of his work can be found here.
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