FDNY Pro

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.

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.

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.

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. […]

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.

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, […]

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 […]

FDNY 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 are forced to improvise or make split-second decisions to save a life. Despite the conditions they are faced are […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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), […]

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 […]

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDNY Community Affairs Unit pivoted their primary fire and life safety outreach from a largely in-person model to a mainly digital one. While difficult, it was a move that was made a bit easier as the Department […]

When the COVID-19 crisis began in early 2020, the Department and its members were challenged in ways like never before. The pandemic’s arrival proved to be both deadly and difficult to combat. One of the core duties of the Department’s First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is […]

Each year on the FDNY Pro Podcast, we mark the anniversary of September 11, 2001 by featuring an FDNY member who responded to the WTC attacks on that day. John Sudnik began his career as an FDNY Firefighter appointed in October 1989 and assigned to Engine […]

As seen in the FDNY Pro Film, The Last Resort, on October 27, 2016, an early morning fire in an upper Manhattan 5-story tenement left residents fleeing for their lives. With a fire escape located only on the front of the building, and heavy fire on […]

Fighting top floor fires in H-Type buildings or large multiple dwellings is complicated and challenging. FDNY Lieutenant Michael Scotto, a 41-year member of the Department currently working at Ladder 58 in the Bronx, joins host Battalion Chief Brian Mulry to discuss the operational challenges Firefighters have […]

This episode is being released in conjunction with FDNY Safety Week 2020. For the first time ever, the FDNY is sharing our Safety Week training and information on fdnypro.org. The FDNY and FDNY Foundation would like to thank the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for making this […]

Kimberley Laychock is a 21-year veteran of the FDNY who is serving on the frontlines of the Coronavirus outbreak in New York City. Sunday, May 17, 2020, marks the start of EMS Week 2020, an annual week-long initiative to promote public safety among all New Yorkers […]

Even in a vertical city like New York, high-rise construction continues to expand into the outer boroughs where fire companies need to be ready to respond. Thirty-eight year veteran fire officer, Lt. Ray McCormack discusses the Department’s Standpipe Operations and Training. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts. […]

Donna Jaworski is saving lives as an FDNY EMT–again. Jaworski previously served as an FDNY EMT before leaving the Department in 2003 to raise her family. She was also a September 11th first responder, having worked at the World Trade Center site during the rescue and […]

This is our annual Pro Fit episode, which seeks to promote and provide practical ideas for first responders who are looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 2020 marks the 50thanniversary of the New York City Marathon. The event is the largest marathon in the world and […]

This episode marks a milestone for the FDNY Pro Podcast. In this 50th episode we revisit highlights from each of our previous four seasons. From our very first guest from the FDNY Office of Medical Affairs, Dr. Dario Gonzalez, recounting his trip to Liberia where he […]

Incidents involving active shooters, violent extremists, barricade situations or other acts of aggressive deadly behaviors represent some of the most challenging responses to the first responder community. These types of responses test the capabilities of first responders—including mass-casualty care. The FDNY is the primary response agency […]

As of October 2019, more than 1,300 members of the FDNY are veterans or military reservists. That includes Fire, EMS and civilians. As a paramilitary agency, the Department’s organizational structure, tactics, training and culture resembles that of the U.S. Armed Forces. In this episode, FDNY Firefighter […]

Encountering unusual circumstances on the fireground is a frequent experience for veteran Bronx Lieutenant Mike Ciampo. But, in his nearly three decades of experience with the Department he had never encountered this type of unusual fire escape. In the early hours of September 9, 2018, a […]

Lillian Bonsignore currently serves as the highest ranking officer in FDNY EMS. On 9/11, Chief Bonsignore didn’t hold an official leadership role, but she responded to the World Trade Center hoping to save lives. Having arrived after the first tower fell, Chief Bonsignore quickly realized that […]

On March 6, 2017, the FDNY launched its first ever tethered drone to respond to a fire in a 6-story building on Crotona Park North in the Bronx. It was a ground-breaking moment. After September 11, 2001, the need for enhanced situational awareness of the incident […]

With limited access, egress and ventilation fighting cellar fires is one of the most challenging scenarios firefighters face. Not knowing what you might encounter behind the cellar door makes the advance down the cellar steps difficult and dangerous. FDNY Engine Officer, Lt. Tim Klett of Engine […]

Each year, in celebration of National EMS Week, the FDNY holds its Annual Second Chance Ceremony. This special event reunites cardiac arrest survivors with the Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, FDNY EMS Officers, Firefighters, Dispatchers, bystanders, and other first responders who helped save their lives. 2019 marks […]

The misuse of prescription opioids is one of the most significant public health issues in our country. According to health officials, providing access to effective care may prevent misuse and the consequences—such as overdose. So to better comprehend substance abuse, in this episode, we’ll be hearing […]

Construction at the World Trade Center site showcases some of the most forward-thinking building and fire prevention features ever designed and implemented. In this episode, Lt. John Amsterdam of Ladder 10 talks about some of these features which are featured in two WNYF articles, 01/2017 “An […]

In military training you often hear the adage, “train as you fight, fight as you train.” And in sports you often hear, “you play the game the way you practice.” Both of these truisms have rightly migrated into EMT and Paramedic training courses. There is evidence […]

Rapid fire events are a rare phenomenon that even the most seasoned Firefighter may never encounter during their careers. And while there is much still to learn about what environments or tactics are best suited to avoid them, there are some patterns to their occurrences. In […]

Training for an athletic event with a team brings lots of benefits, including improved performance and accountability. Even when participants compete as individuals, the opportunity to connect with others is there. In this episode, FDNY Firefighters David Guilford and Michael Reno talk about their involvement with […]

The Fire Department of the City of New York is continually looking to advance the opportunities for young people to become part of the City’s Bravest. To help support this goal, the Department has created a Youth Workforce Development Initiative. To date, this initiative’s programs have […]

Frequent drilling and communication prior to arrival at a fire is critical to proper apparatus positioning. Veteran FDNY members, Battalion Chief Christopher Eysser and Lt. Ray McCormack discuss efficient and effective placement techniques of the FDNY’s fleet that can elevate performance on the fireground and even […]

During the early morning hours on September 17, 2016, Bronx Box 2759 was transmitted for a commercial occupancy fire. While entering the occupancy and on their initial size-up, no units had encountered any signage for steel plating and were surprised to find it both on the […]

Chief James Booth is a 35-year veteran of the FDNY with experience responding to some of the most significant natural and manmade disasters to occur during his career. Chief Booth responded to the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 and the terrorist attacks on […]

On August 2, 1978, twelve FDNY Firefighters plunged into a burning Waldbaum’s Supermarket when the bowstring truss roof collapsed at the center of the store. Six of the Firefighters made the Supreme Sacrifice. In this episode, retired FDNY Captain Howard Venetsky, who was working in Rescue […]

Pre-hospital care providers face many potential job hazards, including exposure to and handling of hazardous chemical substances. In this episode, FDNY EMS Lieutenant Robert Carlo discusses the types of chemical exposures Department Emergency Medical Services members are exposed to, how to identify the symptoms of a […]

Nearly 26 years ago, the first NYC EMS Museum opened on the grounds of Fort Totten in Bayside, Queens. In 2013, it was closed to make way for some much needed construction. The NYC EMS Museum reopened in May 2018 to display how the FDNY’s EMS […]

The FDNY’s Reduce Your Risk project was established in 2017 by the Department’s Contamination Reduction Workgroup to increase awareness of the cancer risk faced by Firefighters and promote the proactive measures that should be taken to combat this deadly, but frequently, avoidable occupational hazard. FDNY Deputy […]

On March 16, 2018, FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kerry Kelly retired after 37 years of dedicated service. The FDNY has set the standard for monitoring the health and well-being of its members and Dr. Kelly was instrumental in getting that done. Dr. Kelly began the […]

In 2017, for the first time ever at the FDNY Academy, the majority of Rescue Paramedic trainees were women. Rescue Paramedics bring advanced pre-hospital care to any civilian or member of service in a precarious position while extrication procedures take place. Members selected for this program […]

Given the rigorous demands of first responders’ jobs and increased risk for cardiac events, finding a fitness routine that works is critical. In this episode, the head of the FDNY Fitness Unit, Captain Thomas Tanzosh, gives listeners an inside look at how the FDNY trains its […]

The FDNY, in partnership with the FDNY Foundation, is proud to have spearheaded the annual Medical Special Operations Conference (MSOC). MSOC continues to be the conference that military, federal, state and local emergency medical responders attend to share their experiences, best practices, and ideas. In this […]