Firefighter from Ireland Gives Back to the City

Triplets Graduate Fire Academy

Mike Quilter

A native of County Mayo, Ireland, Mike Quilter has spent the past 20 years living and working in New York City. A proud member of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Quilter recently had the distinct honor of seeing his three sons follow in his footsteps. On Friday, June 24, his triplet sons, Conor, Aidan, and Darren, graduated from the FDNY Fire Academy, making history as the first set of triplets to ever graduate from the program.

For Mike, seeing his sons don the FDNY uniform was both a proud and emotional moment, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

“It’s an emotional day, It’s a very proud day," Mike Quilter said.

The Quilters' achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication and a celebration of the department's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

A Deeper Look at the FDNY's Commitment to Family

The FDNY has a long and proud history of family involvement, and the Quilters are just one example of the many families who have dedicated their lives to serving the city.

• In 2021, 20% of FDNY firefighters had a family member who also served as a firefighter,
• In 2022, there were 34 sets of fathers and sons working as firefighters.

This sense of family extends beyond blood relatives as well. The FDNY is known for its tight-knit community, and firefighters often refer to each other as brothers and sisters.

For the Quilters, this sense of family is one of the things that makes their job so special.

“The firehouse is like a second home to us,” Mike said. “We take care of each other like family.”

The Future of the FDNY

The graduation of the Quilter triplets is a sign of the FDNY's commitment to the future. The department is constantly looking for ways to improve its diversity and inclusion, and the Quilters' achievement is a testament to the progress that has been made.

As the FDNY continues to grow and change, the Quilters' story will serve as an inspiration to future generations of firefighters.

The entire FDNY family is proud of the Quilter triplets for their hard work and dedication. We are confident that they will continue to serve the city with distinction for many years to come.