Tommy followed in his father 's footsteps and became a firefighter in 1986 . Tommy was first assigned as a " Probie " or Probationary Firefighter to a firehouse in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan . Throughout his career , Tommy has transferred several times to firehouses in both Brooklyn and Uptown Manhattan . Tommy is currently the Senior Firefighter , or " Senior Man " of New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 62 ( a.k.a. " 62 Truck " ) , quartered with Engine Company 99 and the Chief of the 15th ( later 30th ) Battalion in northern Harlem , Manhattan . During one season of the show , Tommy was temporarily transferred to Engine Company 336/Ladder Company 73 , a firehouse on Staten Island . Tommy 's fire company and firehouse lost four men during the attacks of 9/11 , one of whom was Tommy 's cousin and best friend , Jimmy Keefe . Jimmy had been the Senior Man of 62 Truck prior to his death . Tommy also personally knew fifty-six other firefighters who were killed on 9/11 . Tommy is also a motivational speaker/consultant for the New York City Fire Academy , as seen in the pilot and final episodes . Tommy is a working class , blue collar personality with skills in carpentry , mechanics and plumbing as well as his firefighting career . Tommy likes to drive pickup trucks as his personal vehicle including a mid 90s Ford F-150 , a new Cadillac Escalade ( briefly , after being given it as a gift by Jimmy 's widow Sheila ) , and a Dodge Ram 1500 . Tommy has also shown skill in hand-to-hand combat and firearms usage
attacks of 9/11
September 11 attacks
Tommy Gavin