Mister I ain’t a boy, no, I’m a fireman, and I believe in a promised land: Sam Springsteen, the son of New Jersey rock legend Bruce Springsteen, was one of 15 new Jersey City firefighters sworn in this morning.
By Corey McDonald and Marc Bussanich/Hudson County View
The council chambers at City Hall was packed with people as the roughly 30-minute ceremony began. Jersey City’s new firefighters went through five months of training at an academy in Morristown.
Sam Springsteen, 25, is the youngest son of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa’s three children. He graduated from the Monmouth County Fire Academy in 2014 andlater joined the all-volunteer Colts Neck Fire Department.
“It wasn’t easy,” Sam Springsteen said of his training as he took pictures with his family.
“It was a long road, and he was very dedicated,” Bruce Springsteen said. ” … We’re just excited for him today.”
Sam’s graduating class brings the number of firefighters to “a historic total of 666 members,” city spokeswoman Kim Wallace-Scalcione said.
Today’s new class is the 10th under Mayor Steve Fulop’s administration, having hired a total of 204 firefighters.
“A big congratulations [to the graduates],” Fulop said. “It is a big responsibility and we’re thankful to have you on board. God bless, stay safe … we look forward to long careers for each and every one of you.”
The new firefighters include Springsteen, Francesca Zappella, Thomas McFarlane, John Bramley Jr., Conor Keim, Shane Richeal, Jason Garrison, Omar Soto, Sean Brady, Connor Wujciak, Angel Ortez, Francis Degnan, Richard Ferment, Andrew Crilly and Luke Gibbons.
“It feels good,” Keim said on being sworn in. “The department is recognized as one of the best in the state and it feels great to now be a part of it. It was a long process and I’m excited to get to work.”
Fire Chief Steve McGill also welcomed the new graduates.
“We talk about family and brotherhood, and that’s what this department is all about, ” he said, congratulating the graduates. “Welcome to our family.”
Follow Corey McDonald on Twitter @cwmcdonald_
