Judge Balter promoted by FDNY to Honorary Deputy Chief

December 11, 2017 By Steven Ferraro Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Hon. Bruce Balter is sworn in as a Deputy Chief by FDNY Chief of Dept. Leonard James. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta

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A Brooklyn Supreme Court justice was sworn in as a FDNY Honorary Deputy Chief for the cases involving 9/11-related injuries that he presided over during the past 16 years.

Justice Bruce Balter accepted the honor at FDNY headquarters in Downtown Brooklyn last Tuesday. Balter had already been an honorary officer since 2012.

Capt. Gerard Chipura led the ceremony and introduced Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro for remarks and to perform the ceremony. Nigro had high praise for Balter.

“He’s been an outstanding member of our honorary ranks for five years now,” Nigro said. “This honorary promotion is a sign of the department and the Honorary Fire Officers Association appreciate all you’ve done, judge, and for all you continue to for the FDNY.”

Nigro joked about his “unique privilege” to swear in a judge.

Honorary Deputy Chief Balter then took to the microphone to show his appreciation for getting the chance to help out.

“When I had the opportunity to do the right thing as a judge, which is being fair and impartial for the firefighters that were injured in the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster… it was easy to do,” Balter said.

“I’m glad that I saw first responders and firefighters receive their 1V pensions the way they deserved. For the sacrifices that they made, there’s no finer unit than the FDNY.”

Balter promised to continue being a friend to FDNY.

Among those in attendance were Chief of the Department James Leonard, First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan.