FDNY celebrates class of 295 probationary firefighters, including 4 women
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, November 6, 2015, 4:00 PM
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KATHY KMONICEKFrom left, Choeurlryne Dorin-Holder, Lisa Cusimano, Aleigha D. Powder and Sheliz V. Salcedo are the four female probationary firefighters joining the ranks of the FDNY.
The FDNY welcomed 295 probationary firefighters to its ranks Friday with a graduation ceremony for one of its most diverse classes ever.
Among the new hires were four women — bringing the number of female firefighters to an all-time high of 49.
There were also 52 black graduates, making African-Americans nearly 18% of the graduating class.
“This outstanding class of probationary firefighters is a true representation of our diverse city and every community our members protect,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
Latinos composed 19.7% of the class and Asians 2.4%.
KATHY KMONICEKLeonardo Alfonzo of Staten Island and his family, wife Dana, sons Alexander Ray, 10 months, Luke Leonardo, 8, and daughter, Samira Joy, 3, pose after the FDNY firefighter graduation Friday at Queens College.
There were also 35 military veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces.
Two of the probies, Matthew Asaro and Brendan Stackpole, followed in the footsteps of their fathers who died on 9/11, the FDNY said.
“Countless young boys and girls dream of one day being where you are now,” Commissioner Nigro told the room during the joyful ceremony.
“We serve this city. We do it with pride, with honor and most of all we do it with bravery,” he added.
KATHY KMONICEKCusimano's father is a retired firefighter, and two of her brothers are active duty firefighters.
Mayor de Blasio gave the graduates a hearty thank you for their hard work — and was rewarded with loud applause.
“Well done probies,” Hizzoner said, as clapping filled the room.
He also gave special mention to probationary firefighter Lisa Cusimano, 21, one of the four women graduates.
“Her father is a retired firefighter, two of her brothers are active duty firefighters. Lisa is one of four women in this class bringing the number of female firefighters to 49,” he said to roaring cheers.
KATHY KMONICEKNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, from left, Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, Chief of Department James E. Leonard, and other FDNY officials applaud the new probationary firefighters.
“This class reflects all of New York City.”
Along with Cusimano, the FDNY welcomed ex-Marine Aleigha Powder, 32, former building trades electrician Sheliz Salcedo, 29, and Queens mom Choeurlyne Doirin-Holder, 39.
Even with the addition of the four women, the overall percentage of females in the 10,000-strong FDNY remains less than .05%.
But it’s more than the department has ever had in its 150-year history and an increase from the original 41 who forced the department to hire women with a lawsuit in 1982.
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