New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol has officially resigned, as confirmed by The Post. His resignation is set to take effect on February 11, leaving Mayor Zoran Mamdani with less than a month to find a successor for the former nonprofit executive.
In his statement, Iscol expressed, “It has been a great honor to serve New Yorkers as Emergency Management Director and to work alongside such talented public servants.” He reflected on the progress made during his tenure, noting that four years ago, the office was still reeling from pandemic impacts, grappling with nearly 60 vacancies. Today, he pointed out, all leadership roles are filled, retention rates are high, and the team is prepared to tackle the city’s evolving challenges.
“From extreme weather events to the immigration crisis to planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this team manages almost 700 emergency responses each year while strengthening our partnerships to better assist New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable,” he added.
He reassured that there’s nothing this team won’t do for the people of New York City, expressing gratitude to Mamdani and his team for their collaboration during the transition.
Iscol was appointed by former Mayor Adams in 2022, having a unique background as the heir to a mobile phone fortune, and he had previously served six years as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, including combat experience in the Iraq War’s Second Battle of Fallujah. Afterward, he founded a nonprofit aimed at helping veterans facing mental health challenges.
In April, shortly after taking office, Mamdani announced that Iscol and Interim Health Director Javier Rojan would remain with the city through the winter to ensure continued service to New Yorkers.
Iscol initially entered the political scene in the 2021 Democratic primary, where he ran for mayor against Adams but later shifted his efforts toward a comptroller bid.
