On this Throwback Thursday, we’re catching up with former Proby of the Month Ladder 9 Firefighter Vanessa Schoening. Since being featured on Join FDNY in 2014, she has trained in fire operations, made history at a special detail for the United Nations General Assembly, competed for charity for the FDNY Bravest Boxing Team, as well as become a mother of two. She previously served at Engine 33, which is also in her current firehouse in Manhattan.
“I’m constantly learning something new on this job. Nothing is ever the same, it’s always something different,” she said. “Shifting to a Ladder Company brings its own challenges and different responsibilities. It’s more critical thinking involved as well as decision making, and I love it.”
In September 2018, the United States Air Force veteran made history by serving on a special detail in our Department’s first-ever all-women staffed Engine Company, which provided fire suppression protection during the United States General Assembly in Manhattan. Almost a year later, she also helped to raise money for Building Homes for Heroes by competing in The Beast of the East Charity Boxing Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
In September 2018, Firefighter Vanessa Schoening made history by serving on a special detail in our Department’s first-ever all-women staffed Engine Company. Read more about this historical detail here.
“When I arrive on a scene during an emergency, people still tell me how I’m the first female Firefighter they have seen, even though it’s 2021. We have many women Firefighters here. This is a great career and you get to help the city every day,” she added. “My advice to anybody who may be interested in becoming a FDNY Firefighter is to go for it. Train like you’ve never trained before to get ready for this job and give it your best shot.”
Read more about our fire suppression career today by clicking here.
