NEW YORK - One by one, children of firefighters and police officers who died on September 11 or years later from 9/11-related cancers followed in their parents’ footsteps Tuesday at a graduation ceremony from the Fire Department Academy.

Of the 301 trainees who graduated 21 were children of men who died in the line of duty.

“Today, these 21 legacies are no longer children dreaming of the careers their fathers loved and of serving in the world’s greatest fire department,” said Daniel Nigro, the FDNY’s Fire Commissioner. “Today, they’ve fully achieved their dreams.”

Greg Kumpel’s father, Kenneth, was killed on 9/11. He says he dreamed of playing professional baseball as a boy — his brother was the one who wanted to follow their father into the FDNY. But the younger Kumpel says he, too, got the calling, especially when he thought about all the stories he heard about his dad immediately after 9/11.

“We needed something to get through that tough part, those few months were such a blur. Emotionally numb,” said Greg. “So, to have those stories to lighten the mood helped us through those tough times.”

The 21 probationary firefighters represent the largest legacy group in department history.

Rather than fear becoming a firefighter, their fathers’ deaths made them want to become one even more.

“Making my dad proud. Definitely something that he always wanted me to do and I took the FDNY test the same month that my father passed away of 9/11-related cancer,” said Robert Tilearcio. “Our fathers are watching over us today.”

The graduating class also includes 16 females, a number that for the first time boosts the ranks of women in the department to over 100.

“Are we feeling it?? Yes! Alright! We’re feeling it, it’s over 100 now and we can finally say we’re over 100 women in the FDNY,” said Jennifer Boateng, a probationary firefighter.  

One of those women is Rebecca Asaro, whose firefighter father Carl was killed on 9/11. She and her brother Marc were sworn in together, and now join another brother as members of New York's bravest.

The siblings, who didn’t want to speak on camera, say they’re simply continuing the family business.