But when the new recruits — known as probationary firefighters or probies — arrive at their assigned firehouses, many of them could face an even bigger challenge.
Once firefighters graduate from the basic training program and have completed the approximately 25 hours of course work at their assigned firehouses, they are required to take two to four hours of continuing education per month.
Members of that group who complete the Fire Academy are expected to be assigned to firehouses later this year.
The Los Angeles Fire Commission on Tuesday delivered a strong rebuke of a highly anticipated report by the fire chief regarding a controversial plan to beef up the number of ambulances assigned to firehouses.
Thank Firefighters Robert Walsh and Michael R. Silvestri, assigned to a firehouse in Tottenville, at Staten Island's southwestern tip.
Fire officials said yesterday that they were baffled about what could have motivated the firefighters, neither of whom is assigned to the firehouse, at 440 West 38th Street.
And life fell into place: he was a bagpipe-playing firefighter assigned to a firehouse in Harlem, Engine Company 80/Ladder Company 23, with a wife named Mary, a son named Danny, and a nickname, Kippy, suggesting eternal youthfulness.
Firefighter Michael Silvestri, 41, assigned to the same firehouse as the injured firefighter, was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon, the police said.
Mr. Williams was assigned to a different firehouse, department officials said, but may have worked with the victims at the scenes of previous fires.
Both were assigned to the SoHo firehouse of Engine 24 and Ladder 5. Investigators have found that the standpipe in the building was inoperable, leaving the firefighters without water.
Williams got the job, in 1919, and was assigned to an all-white firehouse on Broome Street, whereupon the entire company demanded a transfer.
