Dozens of first responders joined the ranks of the FDNY Tuesday as its academy graduated a new fleet of paramedics — some of whom come from long lines of proud public servants.
Javon Fabien, who attended the morning ceremony at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn alongside 86 other graduates, is one of those generational members — his paramedic mother, Diana Wilson, was pregnant with him while she was at the academy herself, she told the Post.
“I actually found out I was pregnant right after I left the academy,” said Wilson, who is now an instructor. “And here we are, 20 years later, getting his certification, and now he’s out on the streets, serving the community of South Jamaica, Queens.”
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion right now,” she continued. “I’m so happy for him, I’m very, very proud… I expect a lot from him.”
Fabien described the experience as “surreal.”
“It’s an incredible feeling,” he said. “I feel like the result of years of hard work is finally paying off, and now we’re here. It’s over.”
His goal in the fire service? To make his own way.
“I’m trying to improve and really stand out,” he said.
The trainee paramedics, including three veterans, trained for 18 weeks at the academy, where they learned things like cardiopulmonary resuscitation, medical and trauma patient assessments, oxygen and ventilation skills, hypotension and fracture management, spinal immobilization and emergency delivery, as well as emergency vehicle driving, according to a city news release.
Richard Corcoran IV, a fourth-generation graduate of the academy, participated in the ceremony as his firefighter father and grandfather looked on.
“Of course [it’s big shoes to fill]“I’m very proud of my background,” the 26-year-old said of his journey, “given his family background. Everywhere I go, people say, ‘Oh, you’re a Corcoran.’ Everybody knows everybody.”
“For EMS, I would like to become a paramedic at some point, maybe a medic. I’ll probably spend about five years in that field. But I would really like to be a firefighter,” he said.
His proud grandfather, Richard Corcoran II, 84, joked that he was very lucky because he was able to “intimidate all his kids into taking the test.”
“It’s a beautiful job to help people,” he said. “You’re doing a service. You’re building a career for your life.”
“You can’t ask for better working conditions than those of a firefighter,” he continued.
“Actually, it’s two families living together. I’ve had dinner – probably more often at the barracks than at home. And if you know someone who wants to do it, take the time. It’s wonderful.”
