FDNY Pro

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. Please note, this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 emergency in NYC.

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 recovery effort. In 2019, she decided to come back to the job she loved. In February 2019, she joined the ranks of FDNY EMTs once more, graduating as class valedictorian. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts. Please note, this episode was recorded prior to COVID-19 emergency in NYC.

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 the signature event of the New York Road Runners. In this episode, head of the FDNY Running Club, Denis Sweeney, and one of the fastest Firefighters to cross the finish line, Tim Clarke, discuss the benefits of teaming up with the Department’s runners. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

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 provided care to Ebola patients, to seasoned fire officers like Lt. Mike Ciampo and Capt. John Ceriello who detail their experiences at challenging operations, to testimonials remembering 9/11, the show covers the gamut. This podcast strives to celebrate first responders and offer resources to peers in the public safety community. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosted the very first episode of this podcast and, fittingly, hosts the 50th.

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 to mass casualty incidents in New York City, which continues to be a potential target for domestic and international terrorism. Captain Gregg Brady spearheaded an innovative approach to FDNY Warm Zone Triage to quickly address severely injured patients in an environment under possible threat. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts.

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 and US Marine Corps Captain Recordo Demetrius discusses his life of service and the parallels between the fire service and military. Demetrius is currently assigned to Ladder 174 in Brooklyn, New York. He has served as a Drill Instructor for the FDNY’s Probationary Fire School and was a NYPD police officer prior to joining the FDNY. Recordo is also a combat veteran having served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services from John Jay College. Deputy Chief Michael Barvels hosts.

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 fire in an upper Manhattan large, six-story multiple-dwelling presented challenges to the members when fire extended rapidly, vertically and horizontally, to three other apartments from unusually located wood doors. Lt. Ciampo returns to the podcast. Hosted by Battalion Chief Brian Mulry.

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 scene became a priority. Recommendations for improved communication and technology found in the 2002 McKinsey & Company Report, Increasing FDNY’s Preparedness, highlighted the fact that the FDNY should seek the ability to receive audio and video feeds from new Fire Department technology. In this episode, members of the FDNY Drone Unit, Battalion Chief Anthony Pascocello and Captain Michael Leo explain the evolution of this emerging capability set and the complexity of flying in an urban environment. The FDNY works closely with the FAA to ensure the drone operates safely and adheres to all rules and policies regarding airspace in New York City. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

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 the mission was more recovery than rescue. In this episode, hear Chief Bonsignore recall the events of that day as she experienced them and the lasting impact the events had on her and the way she leads members of the Department. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts.

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 88, sits downs with Battalion Chief Brian Mulry to recount his experiences fighting a recent fire in a Bronx residential, wood frame dwelling where members were met with fire at the cellar door.

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 25th anniversary of this emotional ceremony in the FDNY, which began with the generous support of the Pintchik family. Listen to this episode to learn more. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts.

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 a conversation between Lt. Andrew Kane and Dr. Robert Friedman. Lt. Kane is the Program Director of the FDNY-Counseling Service Unit Addiction Treatment Program. Dr. Friedman is the Associate Medical Director at Geisinger Marworth Treatment Center in Pennsylvania and has worked extensively with patients in the First Responder community.

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 Update on World Trade Center Construction” and 03/2018 “Standpipe and Sprinkler Systems to Protect the WTC Site.” Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

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 that the use of high-fidelity simulations in EMS training improves the patient care of the most life-threatening emergencies because this type of training fosters development of teamwork skills and critical thinking all while operating in a “safe space.” In this episode, Lieutenant Kate Frawley walks listeners through some of the types of simulation training FDNY members receive. Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio hosts.

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 this episode, FDNY Captain John Ceriello shares signs and symptoms of an impending event, what structures they are most likely to happen in and how recent jobs in the Manhattan and Queens can reinforce lessons learned on these potentially deadly instances. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts. Photo credit: Joseph John Ramos