This one really hurts. That awful day and those godforsaken terrorists continue to strike victories for their terrible cause by cutting short the lives of good, honest, hard working men that were put on this earth solely to help and lead others! Guys like Neil lived for their families and as an officer on this great job, would go to hell and back for the men he worked with and was privileged & entrusted enough with to supervise. A young and vigorous firefighter that cut his teeth in that little gem of a house in Brighton Beach known as 246/169. Eventually moving on to Squad Company #1, long before SOC was what it is today, a company that did strictly fire duty. A model officer that always ensured 227 was well-prepared for whatever the ticket said, always made sure the line was in place and moving, and a man that led from the front. The men would ultimately be responsible with moving that line, but the eventual Captain of that storied house had a way about him that he could get the most out of the guys and they wouldn't let him down--if he called for that line it would make it there. He would eventually end up at The Rock running the probie school, where he had the opportunity to imprint hundreds of new probationary firefighters at any given time. He showed those ever so impressionable new firefighters what a model officer should be, someone who is respected for their actions and reputation. A model fireman, who truly had fire in his blood, and truly loved his job. You left this job better than you found it Neil. Sympathies to the entire Ferro family, especially his well-known and respected retired 13th Division Deputy Chief Paul Ferro along with his son Christopher, TL-120, who will have to dust himself off, show up to Watkins Street in the near future, put that gear on, get on the rig, and make his Old Man Proud. We really lost a good one in Neil.
