Firefighter recruits join Bravest ranks

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The first new class of firefighter recruits in years took the oath Friday to join the ranks of Buffalo's bravest.

With Buffalo's bravest still mourning the loss of two of their own in a tragic fire, less than two weeks ago, 58 recruits were sworn in; the Buffalo Fire Department's first new hires in seven years.

Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo said, "Hundreds of thousands of people in this city go to bed at night, and they are hoping and praying that someone like you, or you, or any of you is going to come and get them out of harm's way."

The department also promoted 12 officers, also after long delays. With the city spending millions of dollars for overtime, due to the vacancies, why have they waited so long?

The mayor points to a tight-fisted control board, and the government's oversight, due to civil rights issues.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "The Fire Department has been under the review of the Justice Department since the 70s, and it took some time to be able to get an exam approved."

But the wait is over for many of the recruits and their families, such as Liz Lewis, who comes from a long line of firefighters, including a deputy commissioner.

Liz is leaving a very good paying job to start over. Why?

Lewis said, "You see these guys work so hard every day, day in and day out. They are always working to help people, no matter what it is. It could be a fire, it could be anything else. They are always out in the community."

With his silver locks, Greg Reusch may be one of the oldest recruits ever, but he says it's a calling he could not pass up, and after more than 40 years in retailing, the boss could soon be taking orders from his former charges.

Reusch said, "And one of my associates got promoted today to lieutenant. He was one of my kids way back then, now he is going to be one of my supervisors, which shows it really comes full circle."

But the 58 recruits still have 11 weeks of intense training, and a year-and-a-half probationary period before they become full fledged firefighters. Fire officials expect them to hit the street sometime in late November or December, and Commissioner Lombardo told News 4, another class is in the works for January.