Thirteen children of firefighters who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks reportedly graduated from the New York Fire Department (FDNY) Academy on Tuesday, part of the largest class of legacies in the department’s history.
The 301 probationary firefighters, the second largest class in history, also include six children of firefighters who died of 9/11-related illnesses and two children of fathers who died in the line of duty in non-9/11 related events, according to ABC7.
{mosads}“Today, these 21 legacies are no longer children dreaming of their careers their fathers loved, and of serving in the world’s greatest fire department — today, they have fully achieved their dreams,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said at the ceremony, according to a press release.
The recruits spent 18 weeks in the training academy, learning skills, including for fire suppression, medical response and rescues.
Probational firefighters and siblings Rebecca and Marc Asaro are joining the department 18 years after their father was killed in the attacks. Two of their siblings are already a part of the department.
“Every day that I came to the academy, I was grateful to be there and to follow in the footsteps of my father, brothers, uncle, and all those who came before,” Rebecca Asaro said in the press release. “This is exactly where I want to be.”