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[Share]Published: November 18, 2014
FDNY Graduates 280 Probationary Firefighters
The 280 Probationary Firefighters during their graduation ceremony.View More
The FDNY welcomed 280 new Probationary Firefighters to its ranks on
Nov. 18, during an exuberant ceremony at the Christian Cultural Center
in Brooklyn.
“Only the best become a part of this Department,“ Mayor Bill de
Blasio said. “You represent everything that is great about New York
City. You make us all proud.“
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro added, “I promise you - you will look
back one day at this moment and wonder where the time went. But when you
do, you will look back fondly on a career greater than you could have
ever imagined.“
The group completed a challenging 18-week training program at the
Academy, where they learned about everything from fire suppression to
confined space rescues.
Thirty-seven percent of the Probationary Firefighters are minorities,
including 15 percent black, 20 percent Hispanic and four women. Now the
total number of female firefighters serving in the FDNY is 44, more than
any other time in history.
There were also 51 military veterans in the class.
“We are certainly proud of you and are confident that you are ready
for the challenges ahead,“ Chief of Department James Leonard said. “Stay
focused and with each response you will become a better firefighter.“
The new Probationary Firefighters during their graduation from the 18-week training program.
Probationary Firefighter Brandon Reilly was named the class
Valedictorian, Probationary Firefighter Joseph Seelig was Salutatorian
and Probationary Firefighter Steven Ramhold received the Physical
Fitness Award.
“Today is a very personal day for all of us, we came together [at the
Fire Academy] as strangers and we leave as a big family,“ Probationary
Firefighter Reilly said. “I'm excited to begin the best job in the
world.“
Among the graduates was Probationary Firefighter Josephine Smith,
whose father, Firefighter Kevin Smith, HazMat 1, who was killed on Sept.
11, 2001. She noted that she keeps her father's memory close by always
having a photo of him in her cap, wearing a bracelet with his name on it
and carrying a piece of World Trade Center steel in her pocket.
“Today I'm proud, happy, excited and sad that my father couldn't be
here,“ Probationary Firefighter Smith said. “I have wanted to do this
for as long as I can remember - I always told my father I'd work with
him one day.“
Probationary Firefighter Albert Abebreseh also was among the 280
graduates. He said he saw firefighting as the perfect opportunity for
him to serve and support the community.
“I'm happy about all the bonds I made at the Academy,“ he said. “I'm
ecstatic [to be graduating]. I'm ready to get to the field.“
Many of the graduates spoke of the strong relationships they forged
with their classmates. The group even raised more than $3,000 to help
Probationary Firefighter Thomas Vaughan's brother, Kevin.
Corporal Kevin Vaughan followed his firefighter brother into the U.S.
Marine Corps and was serving in Afghanistan when his vehicle struck an
improvised explosive device and he lost his leg. The Probationary
Firefighters learned of his story and raised funds for Building Homes
for Heroes, which is constructing a house for the hero on Long Island.
“Three-hundred people I barely knew raised $3,000 รข€¦ it's
unbelievable,“ Probationary Firefighter Vaughan said. He noted that his
brother's strength and will constantly motivate him, “He's my hero, I
couldn't be happier to have him here today.“
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