By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A surprise announcement from City Hall Wednesday afternoon. Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo has resigned at the request of the Mayor.
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The announcement was made during a City Hall news conference. Mayor Brown appointed nine members in the Fire Department, naming Lombardo as battalion chief. Brown refused to say who he will name as the next fire commissioner.
"We will be announcing a series of appointments. That's not for today. Today is the announcement of these nine appointments, these promotions, in our fire department," said Brown.
Lombardo says it was not his decision to step aside as commissioner.
"I think the Mayor would like to go in a different direction and I understand that. I'm not going to be the commissioner anymore and that is certainly his decision," said Lombardo.
But Lombardo says he believes he can still be an asset to the people of Buffalo and the fire department.
The City says the deputy fire commissioners will be in charge until an interim commissioner is announced.