Mayor Ganim Appoints Veteran Public Safety Supervisor, Francisco Rivera, as Director of Emergency Communications and Operations Center

Bridgeport, CT – Today, Mayor Joseph P. Ganim announced the appointment of Francisco Rivera as the Director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the City of Bridgeport. A seasoned public safety professional with nearly 16 years of service within the City’s emergency communications and management infrastructure, Rivera steps into the role following a distinguished career of local service and leadership.

“Francisco Rivera represents the very best of Bridgeport’s dedicated workforce,” said Mayor Ganim. “He has spent over a decade and a half on the front lines of our city’s emergency response, from fielding 911 calls to helping manage critical regional incidents. His deep institutional knowledge, combined with his proven leadership during high-stress emergencies, makes him the ideal person to lead our Emergency Operations Center into the future.”

Rivera’s career with the City began in August 2010 as a Telecommunicator, where he quickly distinguished himself as a certified trainer. By 2012, he was promoted to ECC Supervisor, overseeing daily operations and technological troubleshooting for the department. Most recently, Rivera served as the Acting Deputy Director of Public Safety Communications, having direct supervisory and budgetary oversight of the 911 communications center.

“I am honored to accept this appointment and continue serving the residents of Bridgeport,” said Director Francisco Rivera. “Having spent my entire career within this department, I understand the weight of our responsibility to our citizens and our first responders. My focus will be on ensuring effective communication and rapid response during emergencies, as well as mitigation and preparedness to ensure Bridgeport remains a safe and resilient community.”

Throughout his tenure, Rivera has played a pivotal role in the City’s response to major events, including multi-alarm fires, severe weather emergencies, and the historic 2013 train derailment. His expertise spans the full spectrum of emergency management—from the administrative complexities of NCIC/COLLECT and policy drafting to the tactical demands of triaging critical police and fire incidents.

Rivera was selected as a result of a thorough competitive civil service process, involving several emergency response professionals from the region.