Dr. Tony Shallash has had an extensive career in emergency medicine which gained momentum when, in 1974, he joined the first-ever paramedic class in New York City. Through a pilot program established by Dr. Sheldon Jacobson, the group trained at Jacobi Medical Center and graduated in August of that year. Dr. Shallash discusses his love for emergency medicine, becoming a paramedic, the first paramedic coordinator for New York City EMS, starting medical school in his forties, and finally coming...

On September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, then Deputy Chief Thomas Galvin was working in the quarters of Division 3. In this episode, he speaks to host Captain John Ceriello about his experience that day – how he responded to ground zero, led the evacuation of the Marriott hotel, and survived the collapse of both towers. In the aftermath of 9/11, he explains how he helped rebuild the devastated Department, including aiding in the development of the FDNY’s first...

In the early evening hours of August 23, 2023, Lt. Kyle Van Nostrand (Station 44) and Station 39 Rescue Paramedics, Giovanni Cummings and Sharona Hagler, responded to a call for two unconscious pediatric patients who were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. In this episode, they discuss how they confronted this potentially deadly situation, which required immediate action and included a full evacuation of the patients’ four-story apartment building. Captain Randy Li hosts. 

Ladder Company 42 responded to numerous reports of fire in a six-story, non-fireproof multiple dwelling in the Bronx on New Year's Eve. Ladder 42’s Captain Jonathan Shields, walks us through the job in which he and his inside team, searched through heavy smoke to rescue three unconscious residents of the same family. Ultimately these saves led to his fourth trip to Medal Day, earning the inaugural medal named for Department legend Battalion Chief Thomas Neary. Deputy Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

In this episode, Chief of Safety Michael Meyers and Deputy Chief James Canty discuss low-intake high-exhaust (LIHE) events that firefighters may encounter on the fireground. They discuss their inherent dangers and strategies to control, prevent and operate safely within them. Captain John Ceriello hosts.

Cardiac arrest calls can be one of the most intense call-types emergency medical services members respond to. Often times they are emotionally heightened and require hyper-focus when performing skills and administering medications. FDNY paramedics Jonathan Morel and Maggie Studsrud discuss, with host Captain Randy Li, their two successful cardiac arrest calls where the patients survived and are now living healthy lives. The two medics had the honor of meeting their survivors at the 2024 FDNY...

The New York City subway system is the oldest, longest and most utilized public transportation system in the nation, with 472 stations in operation and more than 2 billion riders in 2023. With these massive numbers come numerous responses for the FDNY throughout the system. Most incidents are minor in nature and handled without removing power to the subway cars. When a situation calls for it, such as serious fires, person struck by a train or major accidents, power removal will be necessary...

We are marking the FDNY Pro Podcast’s 100th episode, which debuted in April of 2016, by visiting with the guest and host from that inaugural episode. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry and Captain Randy welcome back Dr. Dario Gonzalez, FDNY Office of Medical Affairs, and retired Chief of Staff Elizabeth Cascio. Our FDNY Pro Podcast Producer Kristin Eng joins the group to talk behind the scenes at the pod and their thoughts of episodes past.

Wind conditions can override the effects of some or all of the other variables that define traditional fire behavior, which can make for challenging conditions for firefighters. In this episode, we discuss fighting wind impacted fires on non-fireproof and low-rise structures with Deputy Chief George Healy. Captain John Ceriello hosts.

We're kicking off 2024 by sitting down with FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh to discuss a wide range of topics facing the Department including the ongoing lithium-ion battery crisis and how the FDNY is helping combat it on a national, state and local level, the upcoming strategic plan and more. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

We revisit conversations from our latest season of the FDNY Pro Podcast with host, FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Barvels. As we reflect on the stories and lessons of 2023, our eighth season of the podcast, we want to thank all the members who contributed with their professionalism, skill and experience. We remain committed to offering resources to our peers in public safety with more to come in 2024. Stay tuned!

A trench is considered a temporary excavation where both the length of the floor and the depth of the trench exceeds the width of the floor. Construction and underground utility service and repair are a few of the reasons trenches are dug. The large amount of underground infrastructure and construction happening in New York City increases the likelihood that FDNY units will respond to such a collapse. These incidents are deceivingly dangerous as they often occur with little or no warning and...

In July 2023, Manhattan FDNY companies were dispatched to a high-rise building under construction with reports of a crane on fire. The construction crane was positioned about five stories above the 45-story building when the engine caught fire. Upon arrival, the crane’s boom, which had 16 tons of concrete attached fell, striking another high-rise building before crashing to the street below. Host Battalion Chief Brian Mulry talks through this challenging operation with two of the initial...

An FDNY Chaplain since 1996, Monsignor John Delendick has comforted, advised, and ministered to the Department’s members and families for nearly three decades. On September 11, 2001, he responded to the terrorist attacks and served as a pathfinder to safety, first aid and ambulances, while providing counsel to the desperate who were losing hope. During the recovery efforts, he spent his days attending memorial services and funerals, and his evenings checking in with members working the pile....

Members of Ladder Company 108 carried out multiple rescues amongst challenging conditions and heavy clutter at a Brooklyn fire in May of 2022. In this episode, Lieutenant Chris Walter and Firefighters Roger Buck and Joseph Andres discuss the operation with host Battalion Chief Brian Mulry. For their heroic actions, the company received a unit citation, and the three guests were recognized with individual medals at the 2023 FDNY Medal Day ceremony – the most of any one company this year.

In December 2022, two people plummeted five stories down an elevator shaft at the Bronx Terminal Market. Lieutenant Shlomo Winkler, then a Rescue Paramedic, and Paramedic Watkins, together with numerous on-scene units, worked to treat and free the patient trapped beneath the elevator car. Winkler and Watkins discuss their processes, challenges faced, and teamwork needed at this incident. For their professionalism and commitment to providing quality care, the two were awarded the Christopher...

Some of the most difficult fires FDNY members face are wind impacted fires. It's been more than two decades since the Department began studying the impact of wind in high rise building fires which ultimately led to current protocols,  procedures, and equipment developed to help fight these fires and are now part of FDNY standard operating procedures. In this episode, retired Battalion Chief Gerald Tracy shares his knowledge of wind impacted fires and revisits how the Department improved its...

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 pregnant at the time) and her pre-term baby girl had just unexpectedly delivered while she laid on the floor. In this episode, Station 20's first-arriving EMTs Silverio Moreno and Johnathan Rivera—who had never worked together...

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 trapped at the window, overcoming obstacles that challenged members while suspended 200-feet above ground. In this special two-part episode, firefighters and fire officers working...

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 back in 1982, with the first class of women ever appointed to the FDNY, and climbed the ranks to become the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief...

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 not survive his injuries, Billy’s family carried out his wishes to donate his organs to help others. In total, five organs from Moon were transplanted into five desperate recipients. Two of those recipients...

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 role, she oversees the nation’s largest fire department, including the agency’s 17 thousand employees and $2 billion budget. She also advocates for first responders at the City, State and Federal level.

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 podcast. We thank all the members who contributed this season and reaffirm our commitment to offer resources to our peers in public safety and help save lives.

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, FDNY Battalion Chief Anthony Pascocello returns to the podcast to provide listeners with a working knowledge of these types of fires and operational considerations. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.