Mayor Bloomberg, Sanitation Commissioner Doherty Swear in New Sanitation Workers, Recognize Promotions and Present Medals of Honor

October 30, 2013

300 New Members of the Sanitation Department

Medals of Honor and Distinguished Service Certificates Awarded to Employees Who Went Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty today administered the oaths of office to more than 500 employees, including 300 new Sanitation Workers. In addition, Medals of Honor and Distinguished Service Certificates were presented to employees who went above and beyond the call of duty to help another person in need. The Department also recognized its Employees of the Year. The Mayor and Commissioner presided over the ceremony at the New York Aviators Sports and Events Center at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the members of the Department of Sanitation proved once again why they are called New York’s Strongest,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “They worked night and day removing 400,000 tons of debris from our streets – and even before the storm hit, they were helping neighbors and saving lives. Today’s honorees have gone above and beyond the call of duty – and they have set an outstanding example for all of the new members joining the Department today.”

“I am honored to welcome so many new Sanitation Workers to the DSNY family. I wish them long and safe careers with the Department,” said DSNY Commissioner Doherty. “It’s also an honor to recognize our Medal of Honor recipients, our employees who put themselves in harm’s way to help their fellow man, or in some cases man’s best friend, from perilous situations.”

The Department swore in 300 men and women to the Sanitation Worker ranks. They were joined by more than 40 current employees who earned promotions. Those promoted employees included former 4-star Chief Dennis Diggins who now serves the Department as Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management, and Chief Steven Costas who becomes the 4-star Chief of the Bureau of Collection and Cleaning.

This year, DSNY presented the Gold Medal of Honor to Sanitation Worker Dennis Healy from Queens East 10, who used an inflatable mattress to help bring his neighbors and a dog to safety following flooding and fires in Breezy Point, Queens resulting from Superstorm Sandy.

Other Medal of Honor recipients include:

Silver Medal of Honor
Sanitation Worker Joseph Divincenzo, Staten Island 2

Silver Medal of Honor
Sanitation Supervisors Michael Arcario and Gennarro Zaccheo
Sanitation Worker Anthony DiMasso
Queens East 14

Silver Medal of Honor
Sanitation Worker Charlie Ojeda, Bronx Lot Cleaning

Bronze Medal of Honor
Sanitation Supervisor Christopher Agazzi, Bronx 3A

Contact:

Marc La Vorgna/ Jake Goldman (212) 788-2958

Vito Turso/Belinda Mager (DSNY) (646) 885-5020