FDNY Pro Podcast
January 24, 2023
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 […]
January 4, 2023
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
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
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
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
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 […]
July 20, 2022
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 […]
June 29, 2022
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 […]
May 20, 2022
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 […]
April 18, 2022
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 […]
July 26, 2021
In most cases, FDNY EMS members have the tools, training and equipment to respond daily to all sorts of emergencies throughout the city. But, occasionally the men and women of FDNY EMS are forced to improvise or make split second decisions to save a life. Despite […]
June 16, 2021
Each June the Department commemorates Safety Week by picking a theme and sharing information on a specified topic for all bureaus and units to focus and collaborate on. Run by the FDNY Safety Command, the goal is to increase awareness and ensure safe operations for all […]
May 18, 2021
The entire world was introduced to a highly infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus known as COVID-19 and New York City quickly felt its wrath. From the outset in early 2020, the #FDNY’s Bureau of EMS Operations was faced with monumental challenges. Assistant Chiefs […]
April 29, 2021
In 2018, the FDNY’s Bureau of Training introduced a new initiative called the FDNY’s Strategic Awareness Program. Its mission is to enhance peer education for Chiefs and their aides across the five boroughs, allowing them to share their experiences on specific topics or operations. Deputy Chief […]
March 22, 2021
As Special Operations Firefighter Jackie-Michelle Martinez, of Squad 270, approaches her 20th year with the FDNY, she looks back at her career path as a Cadet, EMT, Academy Instructor, and Firefighter. She discusses her experience as the Department’s first Women’s Outreach Coordinator, an historic appointment that […]
February 26, 2021
By mid-March 2020, several states, including New York, were locked down and people were experiencing in real time the watershed change the country would soon fully experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the earliest businesses to be closed were gyms and fitness centers. It was, […]
January 29, 2021
In the early morning hours of September 29, 2020, FDNY companies in Washington Heights, Manhattan encountered heavy fire and multiple people trapped on the top floor – the floor above the fire – of a six story U-shaped residential building. Battalion Chief Tom Fitzgerald (Battalion 16), […]
December 22, 2020
The voices from the guests of the FDNY Pro Podcast in 2020 have been informative and noteworthy. In this episode, we’ll revisit highlights from this year, which has certainly presented challenges. Yet through it all, the commitment to public service and safety from our members is […]