NICOLE SPENCER
Executive Assistant, Bureau of Fire Prevention
1. What is your name, title and years at FDNY? Where are you currently assigned, and what are your work-related responsibilities?
My name is Nicole Spencer. I am the senior executive assistant to the Chief of Fire Prevention. I’ve have been a City employee for the last 20 years, and I joined FDNY in 2020.
As part of my work, I process a lot of leave of absence FMLAs, retirements and resignations for the Chief’s office; handle metro cards for personnel transportation needs; and take care of the plaque requests from DOT for inspectors going out into the field, as well as anything that has to be signed off by the Chief of Fire Prevention.
2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY?
I started first in human resources administration (HRA), and I’ve always been in the business of helping people. I always wanted to be at FDNY. Once I came over here to FDNY, my role has been to support my colleagues and coworkers who are going out to serve New York residents. I make sure the needs of these public servants are taken care of here at FDNY.
3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY?
I started at FDNY a week before the COVID pandemic disrupted our lives. I watched how the Bureau of Fire Prevention came together as a family. Everyone was helping one another. If anyone needed transportation to get to work, someone was there to make it happen. I do not live far from the headquarters; I used to have one or two people spend a night at my place if they were working a 24-hour shift.
I got COVID very early in the pandemic. Everybody kept calling to check on me, making sure I was OK. If I needed anything, they would bring it to me, since I live alone. This has been the most memorable experience in my four years at FDNY.
4. What does We Are FDNY mean to you?
Family, togetherness and unity.
5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?
Mine is working with numbers. I can tell you off the top of my head, when somebody has a problem with their timesheet and they go, “Well, I did 13 and a half hours,” and once you tell me certain things, I can kind of deduct really fast in my head—nope, you only did 10. I have a way with numbers.
6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY?
I am supporting people who are going out and keeping the City safe, and I am making sure they have everything that they need to serve the residents of New York City.