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Firefighter Chris Ganci, Son Of Chief Killed On 9/11, To Be Promoted To Lieutenant

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The son of the highest-ranking member of the New York Fire Department to be killed on 9/11 will be among the 60 firefighters to be promoted in a ceremony on Randalls Island today.

Firefighter Chris Ganci, from Engine 255 Ladder 157 in Flatbush, left an Ivy League education and high six-figure job behind to learn the biggest lesson of his life.

"The firehouse becomes like a family and these guys are definitely my family," Chris said. "It's home away from home."

1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports

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Chris is proud to say his company sees more action than any other firehouse in New York City, except for maybe his brother Pete's, the legendary Engine 214 Ladder 111.

Their father, Chief Peter Ganci, gave his life on 9/11 but not before orchestrating the evacuation of 25,000 people out of the towers from a temporary command post on West Street.

"Like a lot of people whose family was in it I know to the exact second where he was killed," Pete said. "They found him around 3:30 in the afternoon."

Since his death, Chief Ganci's sons have carried the torch the hero firefighter left behind.

Chris was well on his way to a career in pharmaceutical sales when his life changed course.

"A week after I graduated from NYU with my MBA I started with the New York City Fire Department," Chris said. "9/11 was such a dark time and period of my life. This was the first ray of sunshine that I had in my life."

He said there's not a day that goes by that he doesn't think about his father.

"I think about him when I'm trying to fix something in my house, I think about what he would do or where he is right now. If he's proud of me, if he's proud of Pete. I'm pretty sure he is, I hope he is," Chris said.

Their father is never out of sight or out of mind. Both carry keepsakes of their dad, including a mass card and a pin he always displayed prominently.

"I'm proud to be a member of the FDNY, I'm proud to be Pete Ganci's kid but it's tough he's not here to share this with me," Chris, who will be promoted to lieutenant, said.

The FDNY will also promote Lt. Aldo Adissi of Squad 61 in the Bronx to captain. Adissi is currently deployed with the Air National Guard in Afghanistan.

Adissi's wife and 9-year-old daughter will accept his new badge.

Adissi is expected to return home in September.

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