The Bravest And The Best
By Michael A. Casano
They’re known as “New York’s Bravest,” and with
good reason. Each day, a New York City firefighter stands ready to protect
the health and property of anyone living in the area’s five boroughs.
The effort becomes more remarkable when you consider that protection
from fire and critical health threats extends to more than eight million
residents across New York City’s 320 square miles—not to
mention the more than 40 million tourists who on average visit the city
each year.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is comprised of more than 10,700
uniformed firefighters and fire officers; 2,740 EMTs and paramedics;
more than 171 fire marshals; nearly 250 fire inspectors; approximately
175 dispatchers; and over 1,100 administrative support personnel, such
as mechanics, technologists, and civilian professionals. Many of these
professions require four-year college and university degrees. Combined,
they protect New Yorkers through five primary operations: response to
fire emergencies; response to medical emergencies; fire prevention (including
code enforcement, building, and other inspections); criminal and cause-and-origin
investigation; and public fire safety education. In addition, the fire
department responds to inquiries regarding terrorism, building collapses,
hazardous material incidents, vehicular accidents, water main breaks,
utility emergencies, and other non-fire emergencies.
In addition to reacting to emergencies, the FDNY contributes to public
safety through proactive fire prevention, investigation, and education
programs—reducing the risk of emergency and medical incidents
to the public at large. These are important awareness activities that
hope to further ensure the safety of New York City and its homeland
security efforts. By combining all of its resources, responsibilities,
and core values, the FDNY maintains a constant state of readiness to
meet all threats and challenges.
The first step to become a New York City firefighter begins with a written
examination, which includes questions pertaining to reading comprehension,
problemsolving, spatial recognition, and applying rules to general concepts.
After successfully completing the test, those candidates will be placed
on an eligibility list, based on their final score. Then, they will
be called to complete a medical and psychological examination, along
with a background check. Once completed, those candidates meeting all
requirements—and having United States citizenship at the time
of the appointment—are considered for a position within the department.
Sean Morales—Living A Lifelong Dream
Interest to become a New York City firefighter has grown over the past
few years, with the FDNY putting new probationary recruit classes through
the academy, one after another. One of the more recent firefighters
to join is Sean Morales. A member of FDNY’s Engine 323 (which
covers Brooklyn’s Mill Basin, Canarsie and Flatlands areas), Morales
has been a firefighter for five years and with Engine 323 for one year.
For Morales, being a firefighter has been a lifelong dream.
“I visited a firehouse as a child and was in awe of the big red
fire truck, the firefighters I met, and their uniforms,” Morales
recalls. “But I became especially intrigued by the career when
the firefighters explained the details of their job to us. After that,
I always dreamed of becoming one of them and that dream thankfully came
true.”
Part of Morales’s responsibilities include daily training, where
he and his other firefighters run through various aspects of the job
to hone their skills and knowledge of FDNY procedures for the safety
of ourselves and others. These jobs include holding periodic drills
throughout the day and evening work shifts (known as tours) to refresh
their familiarity with the tools used on the job so they are prepared
for any circumstances they maybe called upon to handle. In addition
to training, Morales and his colleagues work to maintain the firehouse
in good standard.
“Firefighters see stressful events on the job, especially in traumatic
instances,” explains Morales. “Being able to cope with these
experiences is essential to be able to get the job done. One misconception
is that if we do not fight fires, we do nothing. In reality, we go to
all types of emergencies from fires to car accidents to gas leaks to
delivering babies and more.”
To become a firefighter, Morales underwent three months of rigorous
physical training at the FDNY Probationary Firefighter Academy. Since
the FDNY is a paramilitary organization, his physical training included
work in calisthenics, weight training, and running. In addition, Morales’s
hands-on training involved learning how to stretch hose lines, climb
ladders with heavy equipment, don personal protective equipment (PPE),
perform searches for victims in hazardous conditions, and, of course,
fighting fires.
There is a noticeable bond shared by firefighters across the country—firefighters
are ready to help their colleagues during any tragedy (such as through
the events of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina). According to Morales,
such a relationship develops simply through the important responsibilities
of each firefighter. “We are brothers in arms separated by imaginary
lines between our states and regions,” declares Morales. “We
all share the same sacrifices and the desire to do the job that few
people choose to do. These factors are what creates a strong bond among
firefighters across the nation.”
If you want to become a firefighter, Morales emphasizes the commitment
must be taken seriously, given that it is one of most challenging careers
anyone can pursue. You must also be selfless, open-minded, and eager
to grow since the job is about constantly learning to procedures and
processes to do your job better. However, Morales will be the first
to tell you that if you are up to the commitment, the satisfaction you
receive from helping others makes it all worthwhile.
Morales adds, “There have been numerous occasions, at fires or
other emergency situations, where people have been extremely thankful
for what we did for them. In some instances, people have even sent thank-you
cards and bouquets to the firehouse, which always makes us feel appreciated
for the sacrifices we make. The fact that I am able to go out there
and save lives, that is what I find to be most gratifying about my career."
