Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at Probationary Firefighter Swearing-In

July 14, 2014

Video available here: https://youtu.be/BKQ84Uo6BRc

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good morning, class.

Audience: Good morning, sir!

Mayor: Very impressive. Now, I always like to start each ceremony by thanking the guy who runs the ceremony, so let's Chief Gala for his good work. Give him a round of applause.

[Applause]

It is an honor to be here with all of you, and it's an honor to be here with the leadership of this department, including a man who has provided absolutely extraordinary experience to this department since he joined in the class of 1969. His father before him joined in the class – was it 1946, commissioner? So, Commissioner Nigro knows what he's talking about as he leads this department. Let's give him a round of applause for all he does.

[Applause]

I want to thank our great Chief of Department Edward Kilduff, and all the other chiefs and leaders here on the dais, and of course, Monsignore Delendick for his great leadership as well. Thank you all.

[Applause]

Well, I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, how grateful I am, and how grateful all the people of this city are, that you have made this choice to join the fire department. We depend on you. Your work is so crucial to the lives of the people of this city, and you've made a choice that shows your profound concern for your fellow human beings, a choice that gives everyone a little more safety and security each day – knowing that good men and women like you have made this decision to serve and protect the people of this city.

You are an extraordinary class in so many ways, talented and committed. You're making a choice to go into a profession that demands talent and commitment and rigor. You also are a class that's got a tremendous amount of background coming in the door. 50 members of this class are veterans of our armed services. Let's give them a round of applause.

[Applause]

I always appreciate the presence of the veterans in our midst. I think every one of you will benefit from their presence, but the fact that they served this country once, and now are coming to serve this city, means so much to all of us. This is a class that reflects all of New York City – all the neighborhoods, all the background of the people. And that will make this class strong in the ability to reach and serve every kind of New Yorker. This is a class that really epitomizes all that's good about this city. This city is so strong, historically, so resilient – the city that we're so proud of – and you represent every element of it. And for that, we are also proud.

Now, you're about to embark on 18 weeks – 18 grueling weeks – you know, there's a reason they call the fire academy "The Rock." You're going to find a tough, tough course ahead. And it has to be that way. Everyone knows it. You have to be prepared for anything and everything. And that training has been perfected over decades, generations, to make sure it's as good as it can be. Yes, there will be long, exhausting days. Yes, it will be not just physically rigorous, but intellectually rigorous as well – a lot of studying late into the night, learning all you need for this job. But every moment of that studying will be worth it. Every time you climb up a staircase with a hundred pound pack, and then you have to do it again, and again – it will be worth it. Because it's getting you ready for what's up ahead.

They're going to train you in every conceivable kind of circumstance. You'll feel like you're in a high-rise fire, you'll feel like you're in subway, you'll feel like you're in a building on the verge of collapse – it's all necessary, so that you are ready for the real thing. The better your focus on your training, the better you'll do when the real thing happens. And, in just four and a half months, you'll be called upon to use everything you've learned out in the field, saving lives.

And again, I think you all know from your own lives, from your family, what it means to the people of this city, to know their firefighters are there for them. It's one of the number one sources of security, and a sense of well-being in this city, is knowing that we have the finest fire department anywhere in the country – anywhere in the world. Everyday life in New York is made so much better because of this department, and you will have the privilege of serving.

Now, remember, people are counting on you. You've signed up for one of the world's toughest jobs. You've done that of your own free will, and now, people will be counting on you. You will be, at times, the difference between life and death for an everyday New Yorker. And they know you'll be ready.

Now the good news is – thank God, over the years, this department has gotten even better at taking on the tough challenges. Last year marked the eighth consecutive year with fewer than 100 fire-related deaths in New York City. When you count all the fires, every kind, all the people who were involved in all the fires – fewer than 100 people died. In fact, only 67 last year. The eighth consecutive year in a row with fewer than 100 – that is extraordinary. Prior to this last eight years, that had only happened five times since the department kept records, beginning in 1916.

So, a lot of good things are happening. This department is getting better and better all the time. A lot of other good things are happening in our society to help keep people safe. You're coming along at a great time when it comes to the improvements we've made.  And yet, the danger is always there, and the unexpected is always there. And a lot of us saw that just in this last week. Commissioner Nigro and I were at the hospital when Lieutenant Matt Ambelas was brought in. We were at his funeral just a few days ago. We said goodbye to a great man, Lieutenant Matt Ambelas of Ladder 119, served with tremendous distinction. He's the second firefighter lost in the last two years. It is a reminder of just how dangerous the job can be. And that's why we ask everyone to keep in mind those dangers, to always focus on safety, to always focus on not just saving the people of this city, but watching each other's back.

But despite the dangers – despite the well-known dangers – brave men and women come forward, each and every year – come forward to serve. And you remind us of what courage is. And some amongst you have, in my view, a special sense of that, because of your own family's tradition, the way you're continuing what your family started – no matter what challenges and dangers they saw before – you're coming forward to make the commitment again.

I'm going to give you two examples. One is Josephine Smith, who comes from an absolutely extraordinary family. She's following in her father's footsteps – Kevin Smith, who served with HazMat 1. He made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th, and now Josephine comes forward to continue this family tradition. And it was not just her father who served the people. Two of her brothers joined the military. One brother joined the FDNY. Another brother became an EMT. And she is carrying on that tradition. Let's give Josephine a round of applause.

[Applause]

One other story I'd like to tell you – about James Sullivan, the son of Larry Sullivan, who served with Rescue 5. Larry was a 23-year veteran of the FDNY. He passed away from a 9/11-related illness. He spent countless hours sifting through the toxic debris, searching for survivors after that tragic day. And he kept searching because that's what he was called to do, to look out for his comrades. Now, James continues that family tradition, and we thank him for it. Let's give James a round of applause.

[Applause]

Every one of you has a powerful story. And I know it's a powerful story, because you wouldn't be sitting here otherwise. Something motivates an individual to come forward, to do something noble, to do something difficult.  There are a lot of people who take the easy route in life. Everyone in this room made the decision to do something challenging, to do something absolutely needed by others – not always convenient for you, filled with challenges.   But it's a signal to all of us – about your commitment, your energy, your talent, your discipline – that you made this choice. And we honor you for that.

It takes a special person to volunteer for a job that can involve danger. It takes a special person to run toward the fire while others are running away from it. So, I say on behalf of all 8.4 million New Yorkers, I offer you my profound thanks, the appreciation of all New Yorkers, for the decision you've made, and we look forward to seeing you serving this city. And we are confident that each and every one of you will uphold the great tradition of New York's Bravest. Thank you.