FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh appointed Joseph Pfeifer as first deputy commissioner, the second-highest civilian rank in the department.

As first deputy commissioner and strategic leader, he is charged with managing the day-to-day operations and activities of the FDNY across all offices and bureaus.

Pfeifer, 67, is a Queens native and was a first responder in the Sept. 11 attacks.

The FDNY says he is the founding director of the department's Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness.