Celebrating #APAHM: A Spotlight on Firefighters Ken Ng and Jesse Shan

Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with us today by meeting Engine 326 Firefighter Ken Ng and Ladder 160 Firefighter Jesse Shan.

The two first responders, whose companies are housed together in Oakland Gardens, are also co-captains of the FDNY Phoenix Society Dragon Boat Team. Last year, they led the squad to a first-place finish in multiple cups in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing.

“There are ten active firefighters currently on the team and Jesse and myself train together on a weekly basis with our members to help keep everyone motivated,”
said Ng, who is a U.S. Marines and Army National Guard veteran. “On land, we train with the rowing machine inside our respective firehouses. While in the water, we train at World’s Fair Marina in Flushing Bay.”

Read more about the two FDNY athletes and this paddle driven water sport below.

Firefighter Ng, who has four years on the job and who is Chinese, proudly serves at Engine 326 in Oakland Gardens. He also hails from Fresh Meadows.

Firefighter Ken Ng

Join FDNY: Why did you want to join the FDNY?

Firefighter Ng: While deployed in Iraq, I worked with a few FDNY members and they influenced me to join the brotherhood and sisterhood that is the FDNY. To be able to transition to a career like this one from the military has been a great opportunity.

Join FDNY: Tell us about competing on the Dragon Boat Team?

Firefighter Ng: At the Dragon Boat events, teams are separated into different categories such as health care, banks, municipal, premier teams, etc., and 10 to 20 teams race for the best time and the best four teams go into the final race in each category. In that final race, the first to cross the finish line wins. I love this sport because it emphasizes teamwork, communication and camaraderie.

Join FDNY: What’s some advice you can share with our candidates who are planning to become a New York City Firefighter?

Firefighter Ng: Believe in yourself, stay committed and stay focused. Working for the FDNY is not just a job, it’s a calling, so embrace the challenges, stay motivated and know that the most rewarding job in the world is within your reach. #MilitaryAppreciationMonth

Firefighter Jesse Shan

Firefighter Shan, who has six years on the job and who is Chinese, proudly serves at Ladder 160 in Oakland Gardens. He also hails from Brighton Beach.

Join FDNY: Why did you want to join the FDNY?

Firefighter Shan: I actually attended a Dragon Boat Festival and there was a recruitment table there that caught my interest and that’s how I got started. It is a very rewarding job and I like helping people no matter how big or small the task at hand may be.

Join FDNY: Tell us about competing on the Dragon Boat Team?

Firefighter Shan: Dragon boats can range in size. A large boat has 20 paddlers, one drummer, who encourages the team and beats the drum to keep our paddlers in sync, and one steer who is responsible to keep the boat in line. We compete in the smaller boat division with 10 paddlers, one drummer, and one steer. Most races start as a time trial. Based on your finish time, you then get seeded into a specific division. From there, it’s a race to the finish line to determine who is the winner. This sport is exciting and a lot of fun.

Join FDNY: What’s some advice you can share with our candidates who are planning to become a New York City Firefighter?

Firefighter Shan: Give yourself a head start in your process by staying on top of your academics and staying in shape. There are a lot of resources online that can help you throughout your transition into this career, so believe in yourself, work hard, and go after it with everything you got. #APAHM

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