Firefighter Anairis Gomez
Engine 94
1. Please introduce yourself—your name, your title and the year you joined the FDNY.
My name is Anairis Gomez, and I am a firefighter. I took the open competitive test in 2017, and after a long seven-year wait, I joined the FDNY in 2023.
2. Where are you currently assigned, and what are your main responsibilities?
I am currently proudly assigned to Engine 94 in the South Bronx. My main responsibility is to respond to any emergencies that require me to protect and serve people, including putting out fires, aiding in medical emergencies or even educating the community about firefighting.
3. What inspired you to choose a life of public service with the FDNY?
Helping people is something I’ve dedicated myself to; I believe it’s one of my main purposes in life. Before joining FDNY, I worked as a psychotherapist for five years, supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds, navigating their mental health and emotional well-being. While this was fulfilling, it got to a point where I wanted to help people in a more tangible way. I see the FDNY as a natural extension of that mission.
4. Can you share one of your most memorable moments on the job?
Although I’ve had some amazing and life-changing experiences on the job, it wouldn’t have been possible without walking across the stage at graduation, seeing the proud faces of my family and the people who supported me and contributed to shaping me into the person I needed to be for the job. It was truly a humbling and proud moment for me.
5. When you hear the words “We Are FDNY,” what does that mean to you?
When I hear “We Are FDNY,” I see FDNY as a community of people from different walks of life sharing the same mission, each contributing their skills, backgrounds and talents to create a stronger support for the communities we serve.
6. What would you say is your “superpower”—a strength or skill you bring to your work?
My superpowers would be seeing people with compassion and being adaptable. My compassion for others allows me to understand and connect with people in their moments of need. Additionally, my adaptability means that I can easily respond to changing situations and meet the unique needs of both the community and the Department.
7. How does your role help advance the FDNY’s mission of public safety?
As a first-generation Afro-Latina firefighter, and the first in my family, I understand that my role is very important and that it advances the FDNY public safety, as representation can influence a whole generation of people to continue this mission. My role helps advance by simply bringing people hope and a familiar face to our communities in their time of need.