FDNY Pro Podcast

May 20, 2022

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

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

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

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 […]
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

Origins of Report from Engine Co. 82 – Dennis Smith

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, […]
July 26, 2021

S06, E68 Unconscious Driver Saved from Burning Dump Truck After Crash with FDNY EMTs Gary Hui and Samuel Wright

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

S06, E67 Responding Safely with Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Meyers

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

S06, E66 FDNY EMS Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic with Assistant Chiefs Alvin Suriel and Jonathan Pistilli

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

S6, E65 Valuable Takeaways on Maydays Shared at the FDNY’s Strategic Awareness Program with FDNY Deputy Chief Chuck Downey

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

S6, E64 Inspiring and Preparing the FDNY’s Next Generation with FDNY Firefighter Jackie-Michelle Martinez

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

S6, E63 First Responder Fitness for a Reshaped World with FDNY Captain Joy Garcia

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

S6, E62 Trapped Victims Rescued from the Floor Above with FDNY Chief Tom Fitzgerald and Lieutenants Rich Davan and Rob Brown

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

S5, E61 2020 Year In Review

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 […]