Mayor Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Cassano Preside Over Graduation Ceremony for Most Diverse Class of Probationary Firefighters in Department History

December 5, 2013

62 Percent of New Firefighter Class from Minority Backgrounds
 
Number of Minority Firefighters Serving in New York City has Nearly Doubled Since 2002
 
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano today presided over a graduation ceremony for 242 Probationary Firefighters. The new class is the most diverse in the Fire Department’s history with 62 percent of its members identifying as minorities – including 24 percent as black and 36 percent as Hispanic. The previous most diverse class graduated in May 2013, when 40 percent of Probationary Firefighters were from minority backgrounds. In 2002, there were 625 firefighters from minority backgrounds serving in the FDNY, and that number has nearly doubled to more than 1,200 in 2013. The new Firefighters, known as “probies,” graduated after completing a rigorous training program at the Department’s Training Academy located on Randall’s Island. The Mayor and Commissioner congratulated the new class in a ceremony held at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, where they were joined by several hundred family members, friends and fellow firefighters.

“This morning, it is my great pleasure to welcome the most diverse class of Probationary Firefighters in the distinguished history of the New York City Fire Department,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The number of minority firefighters has nearly doubled over the past 12 years. The members of this graduating class come from a wide range of backgrounds and represent the very best of our city – and our country. Congratulations.”
 
“This new class of Probies is the most diverse in FDNY history and moves us closer to our long-stated goal of a Department that better reflects the city we serve,” said Commissioner Cassano. “Through their hard work and many weeks of training at the Fire Academy, this class has earned the right to be called New York City Firefighters.”
 
Probationary Firefighter Sean M. McCarthy was named salutatorian. The Physical Fitness Award was awarded to Probationary Firefighter Fernando C. Rodrigues. Among today’s graduates is Probationary Firefighter Joseph Wylie, son of Firefighter Thomas Wylie of Ladder 18, who died in the line of duty on January 3rd, 1995 from critical injuries sustained a week earlier battling a fire on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on December 27th, 1994. Seven additional graduates lost their fathers or brothers among the 343 FDNY members killed at the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. Probationary Firefighter Sean Cullen is the brother of Firefighter Tom Cullen of Squad 41; Probationary Firefighter Michael Esposito is the son of Captain Michael Esposito of Squad 1; Probationary Firefighter Christopher Mascali is the son of Firefighter Joseph Mascali of Rescue 5; Probationary Firefighter Sean Murphy is the son of Lieutenant Raymond Murphy of Ladder 16; Probationary Firefighter Stephen Ragaglia is the brother of Firefighter Leonard Ragaglia of Engine 54; Probationary Firefighter Daniel Waters is the son of Captain Patrick Waters of Haz-Mat; and today’s class’ valedictorian, Probationary Firefighter Connor Geraghty, is the son of Deputy Chief Edward F. Geraghty of Battalion 9.
 
This class includes 143 members who passed a promotional exam to the rank of Firefighter after previously serving as Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians with the FDNY Bureau of EMS, as well as 23 candidates from the open competitive list created from the most recent Firefighter exam administered in 2012. Also among today’s graduates are 35 veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
 
Over their 18 weeks at the FDNY Training Academy, the class was extensively trained in all aspects of their job as firefighters, including fire suppression and medical response, hazardous materials training, collapse and confined space rescue training, auto extrication, building inspections and procedures for engine and ladder operations. The Probationary Firefighters will be assigned to firehouses throughout the city, where they will gain field experience under the guidance of senior Firefighters and Fire Officers.
 
Last year, New York City recorded the lowest number of fire-related deaths – 58 – since record-keeping began in 1916 and closed out the safest decade ever for fire-related incidents. Since 2002, the city has averaged 85 civilian fire deaths per year, a 41 percent improvement over the previous 10 years, when the city averaged 144 fire deaths per year. New York City has recorded fewer than 100 fire deaths only 12 times – nine of which occurred during the past 10 years.
 
More information about joining the FDNY can be found at www.nyc.gov.
 
Contact:         
Marc La Vorgna / Kamran Mumtaz                (212) 788-2958
Francis X. Gribbon (FDNY)                           (718) 999-2056