Mayor Kenney announces new Fire Commissioner, Prison Commissioner

Mayor Jim Kenney announced Monday his appointments to lead the city of Philadelphia's prisons system and fire department.

As previously reported, Adam K. Thiel will replace Derrick J.V. Sawyer as Fire Commissioner.

Thiel has served as the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security in Virginia since February 2014. Prior to that, he was the Fire Chief of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, from 2007 to 2014.

Kenney promoted from within the city's prisons staff for its next leader. Blanche Carney has been tabbed as the city's next Prison Commissioner. Carney had served as the Deputy Commissioner for Restorative and Transitional Services since January.

The 21-year veteran of the prison's system previously worked as the department's Human Services Program Administrator where she oversaw programs that served inmates with substance abuse problems.

A formal announcement will be made Tuesday in the Mayor's Reception Room.