Join FDNY Podcast has released a new episode featuring Firefighter Tony Ng, who discussed his experience joining the department and reconnecting with his cultural background through the Phoenix Society.
According to the Join FDNY Podcast, Ng spoke with Captain Randy Li as part of an episode marking Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Ng said: “It’s really about connecting with culture.”
Ng explained that he had little exposure to the fire service before joining.
He served in the Army National Guard, where several of his peers were already working as firefighters, and their stories encouraged him to pursue the profession.
Ng said he did not attend a recruitment event, but instead signed up directly for the civil service exam.
He noted that the transition from the military into the fire academy was manageable due to the paramilitary structure of the training.
Ng added: “It’s the academy is a paramilitary academy.”
Ng was introduced to the Phoenix Society during his training, describing it as a valuable resource for cultural connection and career development.
He stated that affinity groups like the Phoenix Society provide mentorship and access to institutional knowledge that complements official guidance.
Ng said: “They have a way to kind of get you acclimated to the job.”
He explained that working in Flushing, Queens, has allowed him to support his own community directly by speaking the local languages and understanding the culture.
Ng added: “It really helps when you’re able to speak to the population that you’re serving.”
He emphasized that his favorite events with the Phoenix Society often involved traditional foods and cross-cultural mixers with other affinity groups.
In the second part of the episode, Fire Cadets Brianna Denny and Malcolm McNeel spoke with Captain Andrew Brown about their training and progression through the Fire Cadet Academy.
Denny and McNeel discussed their motivations for joining and the challenges they encountered, including the physical and paramilitary demands of the program.
McNeel said that the camaraderie he witnessed at a probationary firefighter graduation inspired him to apply.
Denny noted that the physical training, especially running, was initially difficult but gradually became easier with repeated sessions.
Both cadets described how rotating through different departments gave them a broader understanding of the FDNY’s operations.
Denny added that working with the marine unit was especially surprising, as she had not been aware that the fire department operated boats.
Join FDNY Podcast released an episode on June 1, 2025.
The episode featured Firefighter Tony Ng and Fire Cadets Brianna Denny and Malcolm McNeel.
The content was published to recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Ng discussed his introduction to the department and membership in the Phoenix Society.
He described how the society supported cultural identity and career development.
Ng said working in Flushing allows him to serve his own community more effectively.
The episode also included interviews with cadets nearing graduation from the academy.
Denny and McNeel explained their motivations, challenges, and learning experiences.
They reflected on the physical demands and departmental rotations during training.
Denny highlighted her time with the marine unit as especially informative.
The original source of this information is Join FDNY Podcast.
