Two new FDNY firefighters start their careers, honoring their fathers who served as heroes during the 9/11 attacks.

Two probationary firefighters with significant personal ties to the 9/11 tragedy are set to embark on their careers with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Ian Montesi and Francis Donohue, whose fathers made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their city, are among the 344 firefighters graduating on Thursday, marking a poignant continuation of their legacies.

Ian Montesi, 28, lost his father, Firefighter Michael Montesi, a member of Rescue 1, when the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Francis Donohue, also 28, experienced a similar loss when his father, retired FDNY Lieutenant James Donohue, passed away in 2023 from an illness related to 9/11. The two graduates carry the heavy burden of grief while also embodying the dedication and service inherent in New York’s first responders.

Upon completing his training, Montesi expressed his excitement about joining the ranks of FDNY firefighters. Having taken the entrance examination seven years ago, he often questioned whether he would receive that coveted acceptance call. Now, standing on the brink of his new career, Montesi feels a profound sense of connection to his father’s legacy and the sacrifice that his family made.

Growing up in a household where the fire service was integral to their identity, Montesi and his brothers were raised in a community that honored their father’s memory. Ian’s older brother, Matthew, currently serving as a U.S. Navy SEAL, plans to join the FDNY upon completing his service, while their youngest brother, Ryan, aspires to participate in the next probationary class.

Francis Donohue took a somewhat different path to becoming a firefighter. After initially being accepted into a probationary class that was ultimately filled beyond capacity, he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) while waiting for another opportunity. Tragically, his father passed away shortly after this setback, a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in their family’s long tradition of public service.

Both men, motivated by their fathers’ dedication to the fire service, see their graduation not merely as a personal victory but as a tribute to the legacies left by those who came before them. As Montesi reflected on the experience of walking into the Fire Academy every morning, he noted how it bolstered his confidence to know that his father had once done the same.

As they graduate, the class of 344 includes 26 military veterans and eight women. The ceremony, which will see loved ones and colleagues in attendance, marks a new chapter for both Montesi and Donohue as they step into roles designed to protect and serve New York City, forging their individual paths while honoring their fathers’ enduring spirits.

As these young firefighters prepare to face the challenges ahead, they embody the resilience and determination that defines so many within the FDNY. This graduation is not merely a culmination of their training; it represents a poignant reminder to the community of the sacrifices made by those who protect them.