GRIEVING FDNY GETS NEW LEADER.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: DUNSTAN PRIAL Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg on Sunday named Nicholas Scoppetta to replace Thomas Von Essen as commissioner of the Fire Department, which was devastated by the loss of 343 firefighters on Sept. 11.

Scoppetta served as commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services in the Giuliani administration. He has no Fire Department experience.

Bloomberg said he selected Scoppetta, 69, for his background in ``management and building.''

Bloomberg said the Fire Department of New York needs a commissioner who can rebuild its morale and bring to it a knowledge of state-of-the-art technology …