FDNY Swears In First Female, Openly Gay Chaplain
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The Fire Department of New York swore in its first female and first openly gay chaplain Tuesday.
The Rev. Ann Kansfield is the department's eighth chaplain. Six are Christian and one is Jewish.
She's a pastor at Greenpoint Reformed Church in Brooklyn.
FDNY Swears In First Female, Openly Gay Chaplain
As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, Kansfield comes from a family of firefighters and said since 9/11, her dream was to become a member of the FDNY.
People who know her say Kansfield's easygoing nature will help as she provides counseling to firefighters and their families.
"I would be incredibly honored if people would see this as a wonderful sign that the department wants all people to apply and take the test," she said.
The duties of FDNY chaplains include providing counseling to firefighters and department personnel and performing blessings and invocations. They work part time.
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