My father's legacy, and my foundation

Destiny Fierro joined the Department of Citywide Administrative Services as a is a fleet coordinator in February.

This week marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of my father, Lenin Fierro — one of the first municipal workers to succumb to complications from Covid.

As we commemorate this week, we reflect on his profound impact on our city's safety and his enduring legacy.

He was a dedicated public servant and a visionary who championed initiatives that continue to protect and save lives. He played a pivotal role in advancing New York City's Vision Zero initiative, a program to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. His unwavering commitment to this cause was evident through his leadership and advocacy.

My father led efforts to train 70,000 staff members in safe driving, personally teaching thousands himself. He helped build the first-ever citywide collision management system, enabling more effective tracking and prevention of crashes. He also analyzed fleet collision data and surveyed city drivers.

He helped the city and U.S. Department of Transportation officials develop the Safe Fleet Transition Plan, which introduced new safety technologies to the city’s municipal fleet. He often represented the city in Spanish news segments, such as those that appeared on Univision, on Vision Zero. He led a partnership between Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ Fleet Management and NYC Public Schools to create paid internships, driving training and job opportunities for automotive tech high school students.

My mom and I always talk about how passionate he was about Vision Zero and working for DCAS. The last time I saw him so passionate about his job was when he would talk about the Navy and his leadership role during his time in the service. I remember seeing how excited he was for DCAS' Fleet events. Whenever he was going to be on the news, he would text my mom and me to watch it live or tell us to record it so we could see it together later.

Lenin Fierro, the director of fleet safety and Vision Zero initiatives for DCAS Fleet Management, was among the first city employees to succumb to complications from Covid. Fierro, a 10-year Navy veteran, is pictured, far right, during a Veterans Day event at Surrogate’s Courthouse. His daughter, Destiny, joined the department last month.

DCAS

It meant a lot to my family and me when DCAS and Together for Safer Roads, a coalition of global private-sector companies dedicated to preventing road crashes, created the Lenin Fierro Vision Zero Advocacy Award. During a time of intense sadness for my family and me, it meant a great deal to us that my father wasn’t just another number or statistic.

It profoundly moves me to see his hard work and dedication recognized through this award, especially knowing how much he genuinely loved his job. I hope this award inspires fleet and transportation management workers to make our roads safer in New York City and other cities throughout the country and globally.

I joined DCAS Fleet Management in February. People always tell me how my father wasn’t just a good leader and hard worker but how he touched everyone in the office with his charisma, kindness, work ethic and humor. It is comforting to know that his presence isn't just missed in my family but also by the people he worked with.

My father left a significant legacy and enormous shoes to fill at work and in my own family. But as his eldest child, I hope to fill those shoes and take pride in the work he did.

As a 24-year-old woman just starting at DCAS — my first city job — I can’t yet map my future, and don't know where I will end up or what I will accomplish. But I know I am dedicated to being the best public servant I can be. I hope to do great things for the City of New York, much like my father did.