New York City’s Bravest gathered Thursday to welcome 187 probationary firefighters to the ranks. Family, friends, and loved ones celebrated the accomplishment of completing eighteen weeks of training at the Fire Academy.
“It means a lot, it means the world that they are all here to support me for this,” said Aric Tegtmeier, one of the new Probationary Firefighters to graduate.
Tegtmeier’s cheering section filled dozens of seats. His mom and sister were among the first to hug him as he descended from the stage. But his father, they say, was there in spirit.
“My mom told me he’d be smiling from ear to ear. I think he’d be happy and be very proud. It would be a good feeling,” Tegtmeier said.
Tegtmeier was six years old when his dad, firefighter Paul Tegtmeier, died in the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11. The elder Tegtmeier was temporarily assigned to Engine 26 in Midtown that day.
“I remember he was always happy, always happy going to work,” Tegtmeier recalled.
Following his father into the FDNY completes a lifelong dream for Tegtmeier, who grew up under the watchful eye of his father’s friends – firefighters from his former company, Engine 4.
“All the guys from his firehouse kind of taking care of the family and took me under their wing. From then on, I knew what I wanted to do,” Tegtmeier said.
“This kid is going to be something else,” said Chris Edwards, an FDNY Firefighter who worked alongside Paul Tegtmeier. “I pray right now that Paulie is looking down, with a big smile on his face.”
Tegtmeier, who will be assigned to Ladder Company 58 in the Bronx, knows that having the support his extended FDNY family means that his father will never be forgotten.
“A lot of these guys worked with him or knew him. I think it is a good moment for them too,” said Tegtmeier.