Two trailblazing women of the FDNY, Battalion Chief Rochelle “Rocky” Jones (Retired) and Battalion Chief Michele Fitzsimmons discuss their successful careers with the Department. Chief Fitzsimmons joined the Department in 2001, and currently is the highest-ranking woman firefighter in the FDNY. Chief Jones entered the Department back in 1982, with the first class of women ever appointed to the FDNY, and climbed the ranks to become the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief in 2003. Chief Fitzsimmons followed in her footsteps and joined the rank in 2020. Elizabeth Cascio hosts. 

S08, E88 Climbing the Ranks with FDNY Battalion Chiefs Michele Fitzsimmons and Rochelle “Rocky” Jones (Retired)

Tragically, on December 12, 2022, Kristina Moon's husband, Firefighter William P. Moon II, or Billy as everyone called him, suffered a fatal injury while preparing for a training drill at his Brooklyn firehouse. Days later when it became clear that the 21-veteran of the Department would not survive his injuries, Billy’s family carried out his wishes to donate his organs to help others. In total, five organs from Moon were transplanted into five desperate recipients. Two of those recipients include retired FDNY members, Captain Patrick Reynolds and Lieutenant Terrence Jordan, who join this conversation remotely via video conference. Kristina Moon joins host Battalion Chief Brian Mulry in-studio.

S08, E87 Organ Donation Advocacy with Kristina Moon, Wife of Fallen FDNY Firefighter William P. Moon II, and Retired Members Patrick Reynolds and Terrence Jordan

On October 22, 2022, history was made as New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment, and swore in, Laura Kavanagh as Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. Commissioner Kavanagh is the 34th commissioner to lead the Department—and the first woman. In her role, she oversees the nation’s largest fire department, including the agency’s 17 thousand employees and $2 billion budget. She also advocates for first responders at the City, State and Federal level. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts.

S08, E86 Leading New York’s Bravest with FDNY Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh

We revisit conversations from our latest season of the FDNY Pro Podcast with host, FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Barvels. In our 2022 seventh season, pride and professionalism remains ever-present in FDNY training and operations, and is reflected in the stories and lessons shared here on our podcast. We thank all the members who contributed this season and reaffirm our commitment to offer resources to our peers in public safety and help save lives.

S07, E85 2022 Year in Review

The heavy demand on electrical usage in high rise buildings warrants the need for high voltage equipment. That is why it's so important to understand the dangers of this equipment and how units can safely operate at fires involving transformer vault rooms. In this episode, FDNY Battalion Chief Anthony Pascocello returns to the podcast to provide listeners with a working knowledge of these types of fires and operational considerations. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

S07, E84 Fighting High Rise Transformer Fires with FDNY Battalion Chief Anthony Pascocello

2022 marks the 25thanniversary of the untimely death of FDNY EMT Tracy Allen Lee who was the first EMT to contract HIV on duty in the city—and in the country. Allen Lee dedicated her life to caring for others but spent the years leading up to her death fighting for the benefits for an illness obtained while in the line of duty. It wasn’t until a year after her death, that she received the line-of-duty designation and a New York State law granted line-of-duty benefits to any EMT and Paramedic who contracts HIV while on the job. This year, the Department honored her service and sacrifice in a memorial ceremony at Station 10 in Manhattan. In this episode, you'll hear from family, friends and leaders of the FDNY who gathered at the station where she worked to memorialize Allen Lee and celebrate her legacy. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts.

S07, E83 First EMT to Contract AIDS on Duty Remembered by FDNY 25 Years Later

As the attacks on the World Trade Center were carried out, most people viewed the collapses from the outside in. However, on September 11, 2001, then-Captain John "Jay" Jonas and five of his firefighters from Ladder Co. 6 were descending Stairwell B with injured civilian, Josephine Harris, when the North Tower violently collapsed around them. The collapse of the 110-story building took at total of 13 seconds and came down in a pancake fashion, producing tremendous debris and strong air movement that lifted the firefighters and Harris and threw them about the staircase. Chief Jonas, who went to on to serve the Department for another 21 years before retiring in July of 2022, discusses their miraculous survival. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

S07, E82 Miraculous Survival of 9/11 with FDNY Deputy Chief John "Jay" Jonas (Retired)

Ladder Company 41 arrived first on-scene to fire and smoke pushing out the windows of aseven-story, fireproof multiple dwelling in the Bronx. Lieutenant Patrick Twomey, Firefighter Rob Rivera and Firefighter James Soutar discuss this challenging operation, which involved scaffolding surrounding the buildingandan aggressivelithium-ion battery fire blocking the entry to the fire apartment, butresulted in multiple rescues. On Medal Day, the three received individual medals and the entire company received the World Trade Center Memorial medal for their efforts. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

S07, E81 Multiple Rescues at Lithium-ion Battery Fire with FDNY Lieutenant Patrick Twomey and Firefighters Robert Rivera and James Soutar

On July 30, 2021, Rescue Paramedics Hugh Smith and Shewain George were presented with a challenge that would test their many years of training and experience. The rescue medics arrived on scene of a building collapse to find FDNY Special Operations Units operating to rescue two trapped victims. Together with Lieutenant Paul Ardizzone, they worked to assess, stabilize and treat the two pinned workers. For their efforts at this operation they were awarded the Christopher J. Prescott medal this past June. The three members discuss this arduous assignment, their rescue medic training and attending medal day with host Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio.

S07, E80 Treating Trapped Patients at a Building Collapse with FDNY Rescue Paramedics Lt. Paul Ardizzone, Hugh Smith and Shewain George

At the FDNY, the roof position can be both physically and mentally demanding. The assignments are largely autonomous, but can drastically improve operating conditions for other members and survivability for civilians, while failure can result in punishing--if not devastating--consequences for all. In this episode of the FDNY Pro Podcast, Battalion Chief Brian Mulry talks with Firefighter Philip Gordon of Ladder 176 about roof operations on the FDNY fireground.

S07, E79 Spotlight on Roof Operations with FDNY Firefighter Philip Gordon

Each year, during the month of May, we honor EMTs, paramedics and the entire EMS workforce for their dedication, service and sacrifice. The theme for National EMS Week this year is “Rising to the Challenge,” and our guest in this episode certainly did just that. EMT Menhaz Bhuiyan, of Emergency Medical Dispatch, discusses joining the Department amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and a dramatic 9-1-1 call in which he displayed compassion and professionalism for the patient during an active shooter incident. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts. 

S07, E78 Rising to the Challenge in Emergency Medical Dispatch with FDNY EMT Menhaz Bhuiyan

Retired FDNY Lieutenant Kevin Shea was involved in one of the most daring roof rope rescues in FDNY history. On May 14, 1991, FDNY firefighters conducted two technical roof rope rescues at the same fire in Midtown Manhattan, hanging 12 stories above the crowded New York City streets. The dramatic rescue was filmed live and later recreated for television. The save was one of the rescues featured in the FDNY Pro film, the Last Resort. Shea also responded to and was injured at the first World Trade Center Bombing in 1993. In this episode of the FDNY Pro Podcast, Shea recounts these iconic events from his old quarters--Rescue Co. 1 in Manhattan. Captain John Ceriello hosts.

S07, E77 Recollections of Daring Rescue Operations with Retired FDNY Lieutenant Kevin Shea

With 20 years in the Department, FDNY Deputy Chief Natalia Polunin rose through the ranks and was most notably the first woman to command FDNY's specialized HazTac unit. Chief Polunin discusses her career, how she continually opts for new challenges and fosters growth in FDNY's newest EMS members.

S07, E76 Fostering Leadership in EMS with FDNY Deputy Chief Natalia Polunin

Firefighter Cameron Peek, Rescue Company 2, has been passed the reins and is embarking on his first season as head coach of one of the Department's largest athletic organizations, the FDNY Bravest Football team. As the 5th coach since the team's founding in 1973, FF Peek discusses the team and their goals for the season. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts. 

S07, E75 Inside Look at the FDNY Bravest Football Team with Head Coach and Firefighter Cameron Peek

The increase in popularity of battery-operated mobility devices, like scooters, skateboards and bicycles has meant a dramatic increase in fires in New York City caused by lithium-ion batteries with sometimes fatal consequences. Lt. John Cassidy, Haz-mat Company 1, discusses the dangers of these batteries, tactics and procedures operational units can take at these incidents. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

S07, E74 Lithium-ion Battery Safety and Tactics with FDNY Lieutenant John Cassidy

The great work of our firefighters and EMTs this year show the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers. Before we say goodbye to 2021, we want to revisit the highlights, takeaways and lessons learned from this year’s Podcast - which include notable rescues, a renewed focus on health and wellness and, perhaps the most momentous event for the Department this year - the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Deputy Chief Michael Barvels hosts.

S06, E73 2021 Year in Review

In the early morning hours of April 3, 2021, units were met with a heavy volume of fire at a commercial building on Springfield Boulevard in Queens. As members operated in the rear of the building, a portion of the roof collapsed trapping Lt. Steve Schuman beneath it. […]

S06, E72 Member Trapped at Commercial Roof Collapse with FDNY Lieutenants Steve Schuman and Fred Ill

The health consequences to the FDNY’s WTC-exposed rescue/recovery workers were both immediate and far-reaching. The FDNY WTC Health Program began treatment day one, monitoring evaluations in October 2001 and continues today. The WTC Health Impacts Report summarizes the health impacts of WTC exposure on the FDNY workforce and details how its members continue to suffer from WTC-related illnesses 20 years later. In this episode, host Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio discusses the report and the lasting health impact 9/11 has on Department members with FDNY Chief Medical Officer and Director of the FDNY WTC Health Program Dr. David Prezant.

S06, E71 WTC Health Impacts Report 20 Years After 9/11 with FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant

As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches each year, memories of that day moves forefront in the minds of many members of the Department. Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, who was Chief of Operations at the time of the attacks, recounts that fateful day 20 years ago, […]

S06 E70 Recounting 9/11 and its Aftermath with FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro

In September 2020, FDNY firefighters Jairo Sosa (Ladder 34) and Abe Miller (Ladder 23) performed a life-saving roof rope rescue, saving a child at a fire in Washington Heights for which they earned well-deserved medals at this year’s Medal Ceremony held in June. The firefighters discuss […]

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