Join Us in Celebrating Mother’s Day 2021

It’s that time of year again where we join those near and far to say thank you to all of the loving, hard working, brave and selfless mothers in the FDNY. In celebration of this special day, you also get to meet EMS mom Captain Barbara Aziz and her daughter EMT Sharon Aziz, as well as Firefighter mom Kassandra Deacon and her daughter Emani.

Captain Barbara Aziz and her daughter EMT Sharon Aziz

“I am a mother of six and the key to handling it all is structure and balance. It can get overwhelming at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love to serve people, from my kids to the community. It truly is my calling,” said Aziz, a 25-year veteran in our Department who works at Station 59. “Having my daughter follow in my footsteps was the biggest compliment and honor to me, I’m so pleased. Watching her take care of others and flourish in her career makes me burst with pride. It’s such a great feeling.”

“I always wanted to help people, but watching my mom work for the Department definitely influenced my decision with joining the FDNY. I was about six years old when she began working as an EMT and I grew up around it,” added Sharon, a nearly 12-year veteran in our Department who is currently training to become a Paramedic in our Medic Basic Class. “My mom is my biggest cheerleader and she motivates me to work harder and continue to elevate myself within my career. I have two kids of my own and I hope they see in me what I saw in my mom growing up. She is an extremely hard worker who is dedicated to helping everyone. Even more so, she’s a great mom and even greater grandmother.”

Firefighter Kassandra Deacon’s daughter Emani aspires to become one of New York’s Bravest one day and help the city just like her mother.

Firefighter Kassandra Deacon and her daughter Emani

“Being a New York City Firefighter is a great career. It’s a job that allows me to have more time to spend with my daughter Emani because the schedule is extremely flexible. My daughter surprised me a couple of months ago when she told me she wants to become a Firefighter and work with me in the firehouse. She’s visited the firehouse and she adores the apparatus and the truck. She likes to see me in uniform and she thinks I’m a superhero,” said the Engine 66 Firefighter, who was one of 15 women who graduated in a historical Fire Academy Class in October 2018. “I feel very lucky to be a first responder and to be able to help people in an emergency. People are surprised to see a woman Firefighter when I arrive on scene or even when I’m with the guys in the community. I hope that women, especially mothers out here who aspire to become Firefighters, don’t doubt themselves. If you are mentally strong, secure with yourself, dedicated and hard working, anything is possible and you can work here too.”

Read more about the women of the FDNY here. Learn more about our EMS and Firefighter career here.