FDNY Pro Podcast

May 26, 2023

S08, E90 Neonatal Resuscitation: A Vital Response and Emotional Reunion with FDNY EMTs Silverio Moreno and Johnathan Rivera

On August 24, 2020, during the midst of the COVID pandemic outbreak in New York City, Tracy Harris began having severe abdominal pain that prompted her to call 9-1-1 for help. Just prior to EMS arrival, she realized that she was in full active labor (23 weeks […]
April 28, 2023

S08, E89 Challenging Manhattan Roof Rope Rescues from FDNY Fireground with members working in Ladder Company 16, Rescue Company 1 and Battalion 9

On November 5, 2022, FDNY units saved multiple residents from a three-alarm fire in a Manhattan high-rise. The explosive fire, which was ignited by an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery, blocked the first arriving units’ entry into the fire apartment. Multiple firefighters were lowered simultaneously to rescue residents […]
March 17, 2023

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

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 […]
February 14, 2023

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

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 […]
January 24, 2023

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

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 […]
January 4, 2023

S07, E85 2022 Year in Review

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 […]
December 2, 2022

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

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 […]
October 26, 2022

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

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 […]
September 27, 2022

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

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 […]
August 30, 2022

S07, E81 Multiple Rescues at Lithium-ion Battery Fire with FDNY Lieutenant Patrick Twomey, Firefighter Robert Rivera and Firefighter James Soutar, Ladder 41

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 […]
March 31, 2022

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

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 […]
February 28, 2022

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

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 […]
February 4, 2022

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

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 […]
December 30, 2021

S06, E73 2021 Year in Review

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 […]
November 30, 2021

S06, E72 Member Trapped at Commercial Roof Collapse

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 […]
October 31, 2021

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

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 […]
September 10, 2021

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

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, […]
August 25, 2021

S06, E69 Firefighters Perform Roof Rope Rescue to Save Small Child with FDNY Firefighters Abe Miller and Jairo Sosa

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 […]