FDNY Captain Brendan Fogarty “Bravest for Choice”

We’d like to share with all of you who FDNY Captain Brendan Fogarty is.

For most people, this looks like a picture of a firefighter and his family. When I see this photo I’m over come with immense emotion.

This photo, as Brendan told me, “was the best day of my career”. Brendan is a Captain in the New York City fire department. More than that he is a father and a husband, maybe one of the best I’ve ever encountered.

This man represents what it means to be a leader and a man of action. Many people in our profession talk a big game but when it comes down to brass tax, few are able to follow through with their actions. Brendan does not have that problem. He is unapologetic for who he is and what he stands for . He’s a blue collar salt of the earth good man . He’s not afraid of a hard days work and showing up for a stranger in need. He sees the world for what it is , nothing short of beautiful.

This man took a stand for his beliefs, both personal and religious, to not take the mandated shot imposed by NYC Mayor Deblasio. This is not something anyone should take lightly. Brendan as a captain was at the peek of his career when he made this decision. At 41 years old and in better shape than most junior members, he could of easily went on for another 20 years if he wanted. With a wife and four young children, his commitment to service and his career were far from over, or so he thought.

Brendan was forced into retirement for standing by he’s beliefs. Not only was his career cut short but the fire service lost a sound leader in the ranks. I had the opportunity to ride around NYC visiting firehouses with Captain Fogarty and each house we visited I was stunned to learn how many people knew him. When we walked in to just about every firehouse we were greeted with “Hey!!!! Cap!! How’s it going?“. The members lit up when they saw him. I began to realize that Brendan had a reputation everywhere he went, a legacy of an officer that never forgot where he started or how he got where he was.

Now for some, this type of recognition could build an ego that over shadows those that look up to the captain, but Brendan is a humble man and sees himself as a “workers, worker”. He molded young firefighters and inspired his peers. It’s very tough to be in darkness when he’s around. His presence emits light without casting any shadows.

It’s easy to read this and think this man is too good to be true. You are right, he is. He is flawed just as we all are. I’m sure he’s made mistakes in his life and made poor decisions but that’s what is so great about the Captain. He embraces his imperfections with grace and honor, with the soul purpose of learning and growing to be better for tomorrow.

I know what this man has been through this past year . It would be easy for him to take his early retirement and move on with his life. The good Captain did not have that privilege because he saw people like me who were not able to retire and felt it in his bones to fight along side those standing against mandates in a battle to return to work and bring back anyone that was terminated in the process.

That, in my eyes, is one of the greatest acts of selflessness someone can hold. There is no reward for Captain Fogarty. Yet he shows up time and time again doing what he believes is RIGHT in his heart.

This world needs more men and women like Captain Fogarty and lucky for our future his children have an incredible role model to emulate as they grow.

Thank you, Brendan, for your leadership, friendship, and devotion to doing what is right.

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