Friends and family jumped to their feet and cheered when 29 new Jersey City firefighters took there oath before a standing-room-only crowd in City Hall this morning.

"You are now part of a brotherhood that few belong to, yet upon whom many rely," said Fire Director Armando Roman a the ceremony attended by elected officials, including Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy.

"As such, each of you is an invaluable member of the team upon which the people of this community count on to help keep them safe," Roman said.

Among the graduates of the Morris County Fire Academy now becoming members of the city's 141-year-old fire department are 16 veterans and a number of men whose families have roots in the fire service.

Joseph Menendez III, 22, who was sworn in this morning, is the son Jersey City Fire Department Battalion Chief Joseph Menendez Jr., 49, and the grandson of retired Jersey City Fire Department Battalion Chief Jose Menendez, 69.

"It feels great to continue the legacy of the Jersey City Fire Department," said Menendez III after the council chamber ceremony.

Fire Deputy Chief Jack Burn's son, Jon Burns took his oath, as did Capt. Robert Halter's son Jeffrey Onysko; Battalion Chief Michael Monahan's nephew, Terrence Monahan; Capt. Anthony Rucci's son, Anthony Rucci; retired Firefighter Anthony Lemanski's son, Michael Lemanski; and Firefighter Brian Ellerson's son, Brian Ellerson.

Others taking their oath were John Cossolini, who graduated top of his class, Alejandro Cruz, Leandro Ocfemia, James Armstrong, Robert Longo, Matthew Costello, Robert Anthony, Maurizio Denichilo, Jonnathan Yont, Stanley Principe, Mitrah Bhimdass, Anthony Santelises, Robert Houser, Bryan Giannecchini, Tyler Nagel, Jeffrey Piorkowski, William Bowman, Raymond Garcia, Nicholas Vecchio, Thomas Higgins, Gregg Petillo, Jeffrey Bresett and Brian Ellerson.

At the ceremony, Battalion Chief Anthony Della Rosa was promoted to the rank of deputy chief.

Fire officials said that the new firefighters are filling slots left open by recent retirements. The first two years of the new firefighters' salaries will be paid by a grant. Starting pay is $37,000.

The Jersey City Fire Department is composed of 565 uniformed firefighters and superiors.