Denis Leary Marks 10th Year of FDNY Firefighter Event

Actor Denis Leary marked the 10th anniversary of his annual Firefighter for a Day event at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randalls Island in New York City, offering nonfirefighters a hands-on glimpse into emergency response training while raising funds for his Leary Firefighters Foundation.

Held in honor of International Firefighters Day on May 4, the Denis Leary FDNY Firefighter Challenge, which began in 2016, is the only day each year the academy opens to civilians. Participants join actual FDNY firefighters to simulate real scenarios: rushing into burning buildings, hauling hoses to douse flames, searching for survivors and rappelling down structures to safety. Leary, known for voicing Diego in the Ice Age films and starring in the FX series Rescue Me, emphasized that no one is forced to participate but many push beyond their limits.

"It was exciting from the get-go," Leary told the Associated Press. "Now, 10 years in, it just gets better and better every year. It's truly amazing."

The event attracts actors, athletes and corporate teams, generating donations that fund grants for fire departments nationwide. David Morkal, a retired FDNY battalion chief and foundation board member,...