“I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead this amazing department.”
Jeffrey W. Thompson
Jeffrey W. Thompson, a 35-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD), has been appointed as the new Fire Commissioner by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
During a ceremony at the Fire Administration Building on June 17, Mayor Parker stated: “I’m thrilled to announce that one of Philly’s own will be joining the Parker Administration.
“I believe we have found and appointed exactly who we need to lead our Fire Department – Jeffrey Thompson.
“Under his leadership, our medics and firefighters will continue to provide dedicated service to those who live, work and play in Philadelphia.”
Thompson succeeds Acting Commissioner Craig Murphy, who recently retired.
Murphy had served as Acting Commissioner since January 2024, following the resignation of Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel, who became the City’s Managing Director.
Jeffrey W. Thompson is a native Philadelphian who grew up in Germantown.
He attended Murrell Dobbins Tech High School and Penn State University and holds a B.S. in Emergency Management from Thomas Jefferson University.
Thompson began his career with the PFD in 1989 as a member of Cadet Class 162.
Over the years, he has served in various capacities including Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Executive Chief, adjunct instructor at the Fire Academy, Special Investigations Officer, Deputy Fire Commissioner, and 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner.
Thompson’s connection to the PFD is deeply personal, with his father having served as a firefighter who retired in 1988 after 25 years of service.
Thompson is married with two adult daughters.
In his remarks, Commissioner Thompson expressed his gratitude and vision for the department: “I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead this amazing department.
“We have roots dating back to 1736…so the magnitude of this honor is not lost on me.
“When my kids were younger, we had a motivational poster in our home which reads: ‘Success happens when preparation meets opportunity.’ I’m absolutely prepared, but I know that success will only come with the full support of the more than 3,000 dedicated, skillful, and brave members of this department.
“Those men and women do the hard work – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“I’m confident we’ll have a bright future as long as we’re all working together.”
