Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh Kicks Off Recruitment Campaign for 2024 FDNY Firefighter Open Competitive Exam

May 14, 2024

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh today launched the new FDNY recruitment campaign "ALL HEROES WELCOME." The campaign, aimed at increasing diversity within the Department, features FDNY Firefighters touting the benefits of joining the FDNY, including flexible schedules, generous City benefits, union representation, and competitive salaries, plus retirement and pension benefits.

The filing period for the FDNY Firefighter open competitive exam opens on June 24, 2024. A written exam will be held later this year with a physical exam to follow. This is the first Firefighter exam offered in seven years.

"The men and women who work in the FDNY are our frontline heroes who put their lives on the line to keep all New Yorkers safe every day," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. "For the first time in nearly a decade, New Yorkers will have an opportunity to join the ranks of New York's Bravest, and we are hoping to attract the best talent this city has to offer, while also building a workforce that mirrors the city that we love."

"The campaign is called 'All Heroes Welcome' because we are hoping to attract a pool of applicants that looks like our city: people from all neighborhoods and backgrounds, who share one goal in common: a desire to serve the public and save lives," Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. "We truly are the best Fire Department in the world, and becoming part of the FDNY will change your life. Learn about us. Get excited about us, and become part of the FDNY family."

The campaign features 10 current FDNY Firefighters: brothers Manuel Zuaznabar (Ladder 123) and Emmanuel Zuaznabar (Ladder 110), sisters Ashley Laroche (Engine 236) and Shanah Laroche (Engine 309), Darren Grant (Squad 18), Casey Chan (Engine 15), Constance Fripp (Engine 283), Destini Torres (Engine 4), Jason Powell (Engine 44), and Tyrin Torres (Ladder 123). Each member has a unique background and reason for joining the Department and have a shared dedication to serving our city.

Available in 10 languages, the advertising campaign will appear on the transit system, online and social media channels, on the radio, and in key community newspapers throughout the open exam filing period, which runs from June 24 to August 9. In addition to the campaign, the FDNY will conduct citywide outreach at career fairs, colleges, and houses of worship. The FDNY offers multiple resources to assist interested candidates, including free exam prep sessions for the written portion, and work-out sessions to prepare for the candidate physical ability test.

Currently, 28% of Firefighters are minorities, with 16.5% identifying as Hispanic, 10% Black, 2.5% as Asian, and less than one percent as Native American. Additionally, 1.6% of all Firefighters are female. The last class to graduate from the Fire Academy in March was more than 50% minority, with 30% Hispanic, 16% Black, 3% Asian American, and 1.5% Native American. 3.3% were women.

Interested applicants should sign up at https://firefighter.joinfdny.com or email recruitment@fdny.nyc.gov for information on how to register for the Firefighter exam's open filing.