FDNY Captain Paul Olsen By David Rosenfeld
FEATURE CENTER
The heroism of the New York City Fire Department is known far beyond the confines of the Five Boroughs. As the first line of defense against life threatening emergencies in one of the world’s biggest cities, members of the FDNY carry an awesome responsibility of safety and community service. Since October 2001, FDNY Captain Paul Olsen has been a honored member of what he calls a “brotherhood”, serving in different neighborhoods throughout his home borough of Brooklyn. He spoke to Center Spirit to share his story and some important tips for fire safety.
14 / The Center Spirit / November 2021
Captain Olsen is Brooklyn born and bred. After studying at colleges in Pennsylvania and upstate NY, he began working as an accountant in Manhattan. The white-collar work didn’t satisfy Captain Olsen, and after a few years, he sought out work fighting fires for the city. “It was a leap of faith,” says Captain Olsen. “I didn’t know anyone in the field, and I knew nothing about the fire department. I just decided to go for it, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. At the time, my parents weren’t too happy about it. Captain Olsen with his son.