NEWARK-- Since she was a child, Alaino Alfano said she dreamed of becoming a firefighter and following in the footsteps of many of the men in her family.

"This is my life dream. It's always been in me to want to be part of the legacy," said Alfano, a former teacher whose father, brothers and uncle have served in Newark's fire department.

And on Tuesday, the 30-year-old stood alongside 67 other firefighter candidates being welcomed into the Newark Fire Division Training Academy during a ceremony in St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Church.

Speaking to a small crowd of proud family and friends, Mayor Ras Baraka praised the candidates who chose a career where in which you run toward danger while others shy away.

"You will go through some difficult times in the weeks ahead of you," he said. "What you're doing is risking your lives every single day."

The candidates hope to officially join the city's 600-member department after they complete a 13-week training session that includes mental and physical tests.

Tuesday's diverse group of 68 candidates represent the Academy's largest class, with one woman, 22 Hispanic, 18 black and 28 white recruits. The class also included five transferred officers and one state trooper. If hired, Alfano will join seven other female firefighters in the Newark Fire Department.

"My goal is to be the best firefighter I can be and eventually move up down the line," added Alfano, the only woman inducted into the academy on Tuesday.

Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said he is hopeful that with "dedication and commitment" all 68 recruits will become firefighters come November.

He likened the department to a family that pulls together in times of crisis.

"I hope in 13 weeks, all of you will be here," he said. "Don't give up... When you work as a firefighter, you work hard."

But the road to earning the badge isn't easy.

The recruits will spend the next few weeks studying for daily quizzes and battling simulated fires in controlled facilities, said Deputy Chief Richard Gail. At the end, each candidate needs to pass two state tests.

"They'll learn how to use their gear, climb ladders, use the equipment, start saws, vent and break windows," Gail said of the program. "It's a lot of work."

The historically-large group of inductees is part of a city-wide effort to increase funding toward the Newark Fire Department.

Earlier in July, the city reopened the Park Avenue Firehouse following year-long renovations aimed at repairing the building's walls, floor and ceiling.

The city, Baraka said, is continuing to purchase updated equipment and dedicate money toward hiring firefighters. Newark currently has 19 firehouses operating throughout its wards and 40 of the recruits' salaries will be paid through a federal Homeland Security grant.

"This is what you're becoming a part of," he said. "Our dedication and commitment to the fire department is unparalleled."

Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.