FireLink

Do you have a son/daughter who wants to follow in you footsteps? What generation firefighter/EMT are you?

I am a first generation FF/PMDC. I do everything except LE. My son literally worships everything I do. Today, his class had "dress like what you want to be" day. He ended up in an old co-worker's uniform with my old collar brass and badge. He was the only fully dressed paramedic in the building. His gig line was even right. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I love my job and my son....kind of makes it all worthwhile.

I’m the proud father of a probie. He’s 19 and is the youngest ever hired for the city FD.
If you haven’t noticed, I like to write when I’m thinking or put thing into prospective.
I posted the “Bloodline” before. I believe it sums it up.

THE BLOODLINE

They called my son TJ for an offer to become one of the city's Bravest. The same week my nephew Matt received the call from FDNY to report to Probie School at Randall’s Island in New York. Matt father is a Detective Lieutenant for Suffolk County P.D. in New York.
I have 31 years of service. The Ol’ Man is in his 61st, YES SIXTY ONE YEARS of service. He started in 1946. His ladder truck had wood spoke wheels.
Just like a woman I know in N.Y. Denise Ford. Her son Harry just took the written test this past weekend so he can join FDNY like his father. Denise is the widow of Harry Ford Sr. who along with fellow brothers Brain Fahey, my wife’s cousin and John Downing were killed in what is known as the Father’s Day fire in Queens, just months before the 9/11 attacks.

My best friend Richie who happened to become my brother-in-law, served 26 years with Amityville F.D., 21 years with NYPD, ESU, and was killed in the line of duty. His son also serves with Amityville F.D. and is a senior in the U.S. Naval academy.

It’s in their blood. They can’t break away. And, yes we all support them. All we can do is pray that they will reach retirement, fit and healthy.

This bloodline is quite amazing, a little mystical, a little eerie, but always pure guts.

When Chief Ray Downey was directing fire ground operations at 9/11 in almost suicidal conditions, he was killed. His sons Chuck and Joe were on the pile for countless days looking for their dad and others. Of course, both firefighters.

When probie Brendan Cawley miraculously survived Black Sunday in January 2005 – after five other brothers had to leap from a blazing Bronx building – he said, “I believe my brother Michael reached down from heaven, grabbed me and held me up.” Mike, of course was a firefighter killed in 9/11.

Joe DiBernardo was injured that Black Sunday. Again, the bloodline. His father is a retired Chief
John Bellew didn’t make it that day. His brother Steve is a retired lieutenant.

When TJ was 3 and we put him on the engine for his first ride, his words were, “I’m going to be a fireman”.

These anecdotes are a tiny thumbnail of what it is to be in “The Family” of public service.

They are a gorgeous bunch of wild men whose bloodline to each other is thicker and redder than the paint on those engines.

I am a first generation fire figher. Not sure but it is the best thing in the world. My 4 year old son loves the fire house. Every time i make it back home to rome ny from norfolk va he always asks me to take him there. So we do and spend hours there. It is great. Cant wait to take him there more or even train with him and take him into his first fire.

I am 2nd generation , my oldest son is active now , since he was an explorer at 15 in New York, now my 14 yrs is riding w/ us cause of short help, he was asked by 2nd asst. chief. My dad was ,asst chief and chief in the 70s , he retired when I turned 18 He say it was to political for him. And at that  time the State of New York was way to demanding for training for the  volenteers in our community as it was small ,only 350 ppl . most were farmers .

2 out of my 4 boys want to be firefighters. My oldest one is swinging back and forth between Army, Marine Corps and Firefighting. And my youngest, all he can tell me right now is whether or not he wants a cookie, LOL. The youngest is only 17 months old.

My Son wants to be just like me,,,,, His Mom said that I must have give'n birth to him instead of her. He wants in his words, "Fight Fyr in the airpains". He also wants to fly the planes.    Poor Kid, .

my mom is an emt, but i dont think it was her i followed. my grandfather (who died before i was born) was a FF and emt for years and years right up until he died. from the time i was young i never wanted anything other than to follow in his footsteps. and so far ive done just that...

My wife and I are both first responders and firefighters. Our daughters love going to the fire station and riding in the trucks or just looking at them. We are a small department so everybody knows each other familys. A fellow firefighter's wife watches our kids during the week and does a great job. I know family comes first but it is hard not to go to a fire call when you have nobody to watch the kids. But I will not risk my family's life to get to call when they are with me. I will drop off at my mom and dad's house or go to fire station easy not like a bad out of hell. Children are great. Enjoy them while they are young. Stay safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!