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Children Of FDNY Firefighters Want Loophole Closed

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A loophole in a New York State law is keeping the children of some fallen FDNY firefighters from realizing their dreams.

John Sullivan said he wants to become a firefighter, in part to pay tribute to his father and grandfather.

"There's been a 34 truck named John Sullivan for about 50 years, so I just want to keep the train moving, that's all," Sullivan told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell on Wednesday.

His father succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2010.

Children Of FDNY Firefighters Want Loophole Closed

"I used to go to the firehouse as a young kid and I just knew from the beginning this is what I wanted to do," James Sullivan, 22, told Haskell.

James Sullivan's dad, Larry, died last year after 23 years with the FDNY.

"I just want to honor my father, that's what I want to do," James Sullivan told Haskell.

The children of firefighters killed on 9/11 get a bump in points on the Fire Department's list, but the children of those who died from 9/11-related illnesses do not.

Scott Barocas said wants that to change. His firefighter father, Sheldon, died in 2011.

"It is not special treatment," Barocas told Haskell.

Lawmakers have passed a bill fixing this, but now it's up to the governor to decide whether to act.

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