By FireRescue1 Staff
NEW YORK — The FDNY welcomed nine rookie firefighters, all of whom have prior felony convictions.
The department has faced criticism for graduating the probationary firefighters from the fire academy on Nov. 2, reported the New York Post.
One of the recruits formerly served as an EMT after two convictions for carrying loaded guns. After receiving a certificate of good conduction from the state Corrections Department, the recruit was given the opportunity to stay clean and apply for a firefighter position.
“Anyone willing to go through that process must be motivated to help others, “ Legal Action Center Director Sebastian Solomon said. “We just believe that they need to be judged on their merits as individuals, and not eliminated from contention solely on the basis of their record.”
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the latest firefighter class “reflects the growing diversity of our department.”