BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced the re-appointments of seven commissioners in his administration Tuesday, while adding two faces in his fourth term as mayor.

Otis Barker will serve as the commissioner for Community Services and Recreational Programming, while Vincent Muscarella will lead the city's Fire Department.

Muscarella is a 21-year veteran of the department, and was promoted from captain to deputy commissioner of Fire Operations in 2016.

He and fellow deputy commissioner Jonathan Eaton ran the department on an interim basis following Commissioner Garnell Whitfield's retirement last summer.

"We were very pleased with the level of experience that he brought to this position and the level of relationship that he had with the members of the fire department," Brown said.

Muscarella says he is starting his term with a 3-step process, which begins with promoting more firefighters into leadership positions to help the department more efficiently manage itself.

"Then we're starting a rookie class of firefighters on February 5, and right now we're working hand in hand with the union in a very great relationship with the fire union to sign a contract moving forward," Muscarella said.

The Common Council approved Muscarella's appointment Tuesday.

Council President Darius Pridgen had glowing remarks about his predecessor.

"Commissioner Whitfield, he would go to fires, which is not required, that you get up at 3 in the morning all the time and show up. I think he did a great job working with the men and women of Fire, and with this council," Pridgen said.

Mayor Brown says Muscarella showed a strong knowledge and command of fire service while leading the department on an interim basis.

Spectrum News reached out to Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 on the hire, but Fire Union officials did not immediately return a request for comment.