Tag Archives: Ladder Co. 25

Firefighter Paul Ruback

Firefighter Paul Ruback, 50, and his wife took in many foster children over the years and adopted three of them, expanding their family to six children. “Too tall Paul” was the nickname for this 6’6″ firefighter around Engine 25. At … Continue reading

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Firefighter Joseph Rivelli

When he was a kid, Firefighter Joseph Rivelli would enlist neighborhood kids to set pretend fires so he could pretend to put them out. He loved his job. At 43, however, he was only two years from retirement after 20 … Continue reading

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Firefighter Robert Minara

Robert James Minara graduated summa cum laude from John Jay College of Criminal Justice when he was 50. That was 21 years into a 25-year career with Ladder 25 and sixteen years into his career as the safety and security … Continue reading

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Firefighter Kenneth Kumpel

Firefighter Kenneth Kumpel, 42, was a 10-year veteran of the FDNY. He too had come to the FDNY through the NYPD. This self-taught handyman had built the house he, his wife and sons lived in in Cornwall, NY where he … Continue reading

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Firefighter John Collins

John Collins decided at 4-years-old that he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. For some kids, one trip to the firehouse is all it takes. When he was old enough to actually apply there were no openings … Continue reading

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Firefighter Matthew Barnes

On March 11, 1999, firefighter Matthew Barnes was instrumental in the rescue of two six-week-old babies from the ninth floor of a raging apartment building fire on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. In most circumstances, a 100-foot aerial ladder … Continue reading

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Lt. Glenn Perry

Lt. Glenn Perry’s father was a retired FDNY Captain. His older brother was on the force; another with the NYPD. Glenn began his uniformed service career with the New York City Police Department in 1982, but he always wanted to … Continue reading

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