One of the firefighters who responded to the horrific 2022 Bronx apartment blaze — the deadliest fire in New York City in more than three decades — was among 75 FDNY members promoted in a rousing ceremony Tuesday.
Jeffery Fanicelli, 47, was promoted from battalion chief to deputy chief as more than 800 friends and family members of the FDNY gathered in the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility on Staten Island.
“I grew up a few blocks from the firehouse and from the age of 3, all I wanted was to be a firefighter,” Fanicelli told The Post.
He was one of the first two officials to respond to the 19-story Twin Parks apartment building in Fordham Heights on January 9 two years ago, arriving just minutes after the first frantic call was made to 911.
The tragic inferno became one of the darkest days in the city’s history, taking the lives of 17 people — including eight children and an entire family of five — and injuring scores more.
The death toll could have been even worse had it not been for the heroic work of Fanicelli and his fellow smoke-eaters who risked their lives to save others.
At the touching ceremony Tuesday, Fanicelli recalled receiving advice from now-retired NYPD deputy chief Jay Jonas, who survived the collapse of the World Trade Center North Tower on September 11.
The newly minted deputy chief said he used that guidance while responding to Twin Parks.
“Jay Jonas came up and put his hand on my shoulder and was talking into my ear, sharing his experience with me. So In 2022, when I was acting deputy at Twin Parks, I was able to apply what he taught me,” Fanicelli said.
His 17-year-old son, Ray, said he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the FDNY himself.
“I’m proud of him. He studied very hard. I plan on being a firefighter,” Ray said.
The father then chimed in, quipping: “After college, I told you!”
Fanicelli was one of 14 FDNY battalion chiefs promoted to deputy chief Tuesday. An additional 25 fire lieutenants became captains, 33 firefighters were made lieutenants, and two firefighters were made marine wipers and another a marine pilot.
There was a collective 1,000 years of firefighting experience in the whole group.
Navy veteran Darren Grant — who served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq — was promoted to lieutenant and said his mother inspired him to become a firefighter.
“Watching her, the service she committed herself to, in the churches and civic leads, seeing her commitment to being a part of the community, that made me want to be a part of the community,” Grant, 37, said.
“Being part of the city, growing up here, being able to live here. It’s important that people know that this is an opportunity available to all. To everybody,” he added.
The FDNY’s acting head, Joe Pfeifer, addressed attendees and discussed the vital characteristics needed in department leaders during his speech.
“Leaders need to be competent. No one is going to follow you into danger if you are not good at your job,” Pfeifer said, and was met with explosive applause when he concluded.
Zeyar Tun, who was promoted from lieutenant to captain, was joined by his wife and two children.
“From a kid, I wanted to be a firefighter and I worked hard. This job is about working hard. Nobody gives you anything,” said Tun, a Myanmar native who lives on Staten Island, and has served with the FDNY for 17 years.
His wife, Lisa, was ecstatic over her husband’s promotion.
“I’m absolutely proud of him. He’s so hard-working. And yet he’s so giving. We are all very proud of him today,” she said.
