Newark's Newest Firefighters no Strangers to Sacrifice

The 41st recruit class of the Newark Fire Department, according to Chief John Centanni, was more than a decade in the making. 

“Sept. 11, 2001, when the fire service was drafted into duty to protect us from foreign attack, I think on that day was born many future soldiers,” Centanni said Tuesday.

“Today’s a  special day. I believe we have come full circle,” he added.

Three-hundred forty three New York City firefighers lost their lives at the World Trade Center during the attacks, which in turn spurred the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan where many of Tuesday's recruits served.

Centanni and other dignitaries were on hand at New Hope Baptist Church for the swearing-in of 30 new Newark firefighters, as well as another who will serve in the Summit Fire Department, many of whom share one special attribute: nearly every one of the men is a military veteran. One member of the class, Joseph Carpio, is even on active duty right now, having been sworn in last month immediately before being deployed overseas with the US Marines.

The department’s Pipe and Drum Band added a few other offerings to its customary repertoire in honor of the unique group of former probationary firefighters: the Marine Corps Hymn, Anchors Aweigh, the Air Force Song and the Army Song.

“They have already served our nation during one of the most painful and precarious points in our nation’s history. It is the men we honor today, who before they put on that Newark fire uniform, they put on the uniform of the United States military. They were heroes before they even put on that firefighters uniform,” Booker said, as the audience of family, friends and well-wishers burst into cheers.

Fire director Fateen Ziyad described this year’s recruits as being “very special.”

“They already have the characteristics of a good firefighter thanks to their military background,” Ziyad said. “They know how to work as a team. They already understand camaraderie.”

They’re also, as Chief Damian Emerick referred to them in a letter read during the Tuesday ceremony, “thugs” --  an acronym for tenacity, honor, unwavering, grateful and sacrifice. Emerick oversaw the recruits' training as commandant of the Newark Fire Academy.

Many of the newest firefighters were also, in a sense, born to the service. Brett Maresca is the fourth generation of his family to serve with the NFD, and his swearing-in Tuesday comes exactly 25 years to the day that his father joined the ranks in 1987. Kyle Flannery is the grandson of a retiring deputy chief. Michael Capriglione’s dad serves with the Belleville Fire Department.

The 41st recruit class is dedicated to the memory of Russell C. Schoemer, a Newark firefighter who died in the line of duty May 7, 1972.