FDNY Cousins Make History as the First Asian Captains from the Same Family

Family gatherings are looking a little different for FDNY cousins Wing Tsang and Francis Li because there are now two FDNY Captains at the dinner table.

During our Fire Officers Promotion Ceremony this past December, Tsang officially joined Li in the rank and the two made history in our Department as the first Asian Captains from the same family. Tsang’s mother and Li’s father are siblings.

“When we get together as a family, it’s great that I no longer have to hear when am I going to be a Captain like Francis,” Tsang, a 20-year FDNY veteran, said jokingly. “It’s been great having my cousin on the job with me. We give each other advice all the time and working in the same career all these years has brought us a lot closer. I’m looking forward to helping the city and our members in this new role and continuing to make our family proud.”

Captain Li and Captain Tsang have served for 17 years and 20 years, respectively, in our Department.

“We’ve always supported each other, motivated each other and studied together for each exam we’ve taken in the Department, so I’m happy we’re both Captains now,” added Li, a 17-year FDNY veteran who advanced to his latest rank in 2019. “We’re both working here to help the community and it’s a great career. Our family is proud of us because we’re helping the city every day, and they love it that we push each other to keep moving up and that we’re doing all that we can to help others.”

Don’t forget you’re invited to join the FDNY Phoenix Society for its 2022 Lunar New Year Celebration in Chinatown tomorrow. Learn more about this year’s festivities by clicking here.