VIDEO: Family and friends erupted in applause on Friday to congratulate the 65th class of New Haven firefighters. โWhat a great honor it is to be in the fire service with your son,โ New Haven Fire Dept. Lt. Josue Vega Jr. said. โIt felt surreal, itโs been a long journey to get where I am right now,โ New Haven firefighter Josue Vega III said.
Of the 33 recruits, more than a handful received their badges from a family member, including Vega III, who was inspired by his dad’s career. โJust him saying that it didnโt feel like work, it felt like a second home to him, away from his actual home. That brotherhood and comradery is something that drew me closer to the fire department,โ Vega III said.
Lt. Vega Jr. said it is an honor to watch his son follow in his steps. โItโs seeing all of the hard work that he has put in, there is a lot of reading, there is a lot of studying, the sweat, getting yourself physically prepared, seeing all of it come to a completion by putting that badge on him, it was the greatest moment I feel for him and me,โ Lt. Vega Jr. said.
Michael Parker was greeted on stage by his dad, Captain Todd Parker, and his grandfather, marking generations of service. โYou know sitting around the dinner table, it has always been fire talk, and that intrigued me 100% to get into this profession,โ Parker said. โIt was better than when I got pinned, absolutely I would rather have this day,โ New Haven Fire Dept. Captain Todd Parker said. โItโs definitely in the family and kind of as you are growing up, it’s in you so that is the path I followed, and it is an honor to see my son jump on and see the legacy and tradition going.โ
Of the class dubbed the โlegacy class,โ 61% were born and raised in the Elm City and three of the new firefighters are women. โBeing that there were only three females in my academy class, upon the rest of my career, I would love to support and inspire young women just like myself,โ New Haven firefighter Ayanna Bruno said. The total number of sworn positions is 331 and there are 41 vacancies, according to city officials.
