FDNY Pro Blog

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, Battalion […]

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 […]

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 […]

Ladder Company 41 arrived first on-scene to fire and smoke pushing out the windows of a seven-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 building and an aggressive […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

With 20 years in the Department, 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 […]

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 […]