The City of Hoboken finally reinstated Brian Crimmins as the chief of their fire department on Friday following a November 10th letter from the New Jersey Civil Service Commission that said they would be committing a crime if they didn't do so. By John Heinis/Hudson County View "It is an honor for me to return as the 10th Chief of the Hoboken Fire Department. I'm proud having served alongside many of you as Firefighter in recent years. I know firsthand the dedication, strength, and professionalism that define this department," he wrote in a letter to all Hoboken FD personnel on Friday. "All existing Rules, Orders, and Directives remain in full effect. Any previous exemptions are no longer recognized and may be resubmitted for review. All current assignments will remain in place unless directed otherwise." He added that Battalion Chief Anton Peskens will be transitioning into an administrative role under his command, later stating that "the past is behind us." Back in May 2021, Crimmins was placed on administrative leave and Peskens was named acting chief before returning to work as a firefighter in April 2023, before an administrative law judge and the NJCSC ordered his reinstatement, all as HCV first reported. Then in September, the Hoboken City Council voted 4-3(1) for the city to reinstate Crimmins, with Council President Jim Doyle, 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, and Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero voting no and Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour abstaining. After the letter from earlier this month went public, it caused a great political rift, with Jabbour and 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, opponents in the December 2nd mayoral runoff, calling on Mayor Ravi Bhalla to reinstate Crimmins immediately. Bhalla responded in kind, saying their "inaccurate" remarks were for "political reasons," scolding both council members in a lengthy statement. Following an inquiry from HCV, city spokeswoman Marilyn Baer said the city's appeals are still pending, but they have complied with the civil service order since Crimmins was reinstated on Friday. "We weren't able to reach a settlement on our pending appeals, so those will be moving forward, but per the direction of Civil Service, the City has reinstated Brian Crimmins as Fire Chief, effective immediately."