FDNY members operated at a two-alarm fire in a six story, non-fireproof apartment building in Harlem on February 23, 2024. The lithium-ion battery fire originated in an apartment on the third floor and quickly spread into the public hallway, sending thick, black smoke throughout the upper floors of the building. Dozens of panicked residents attempted to escape. Many became trapped on the floors above the fire. Others were forced to the top floor windows, gasping for air.

In this episode, Battalion Chief Jason Cascone speaks to Battalion Chief Ryan Brito—who was serving as Captain of Ladder 34 at the time—and Firefighter Michael Kotzo of Ladder 28. Together, they recount this challenging, intense operation, which involved multiple interior rescues and three dramatic roof rope rescues. 

Six medals were awarded at this year’s Medal Day in recognition of the extraordinary bravery displayed at this fire. Among them, Chief Brito received the Henry D. Brookman Medal and Firefighter Kotzo was awarded the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Medal—the Department’s highest honor for fire operations.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the FDNY deploys beach Gator units at area beaches, which are staffed by EMTs trained to respond to emergencies on the beach. These units work in partnership with the FDNY Drone Unit, FDNY Fire Companies, the NYPD and New York City Parks Department lifeguards and can more easily navigate the beach and through crowds in their small, specialized vehicle. New York City’s beaches are especially crowded during the warm summer months, and Independence Day weekend 2024 was no exception. Just after 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, Station 47’s beach gator unit sprang into action when five swimmers in a closed section of the beach were caught in large swells and a rip current, slamming them into the Beach 91 jetty as they struggled to say afloat. In this episode, EMT Saverio Bosco and EMT Andrew Ochtera join us to discuss this rescue operation and what a “day at the beach” is like for members working at one the busiest beaches in the city. Captain Randy Li hosts.

Over the past several years, lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly common. Most people are now familiar with the fire risks associated with the batteries used in e-bikes and scooters, devices that have tragically contributed to 34 fire related deaths in New York City since 2021, as of the date of publication. But, the presence of lithium-ion batteries goes far beyond micromobility. They're found in everything from electric vehicles to large grid-scale energy storage systems, some of which are being installed in urban environments within the five boroughs. In this episode, Battalion Chief Jason Cascone hosts a comprehensive discussion with FDNY Chief of Safety James Canty, and Hazmat Battalion Chiefs Ray Coyle and Matt Quinn about why lithium-ion batteries can be volatile, how to safely operate at fires involving them, and mitigating them on the fireground.

FDNY Deputy Chief Inspector Kingsley Eze, a civilian manager in the Bureau of Fire Prevention found a civilian employee in cardiac arrest in the basement parking garage of the Department's headquarters on August 1, 2024. After calling 9-1-1 he was directed to begin compressions-only CPR, activating the first two steps in the chain of survival. Once first responders arrived on scene, paramedics Alexis Gonzalez and Youssef Al Hammami of Station 31 treated, stabilized and transported the patient to the hospital. In this episode of the FDNY Pro Podcast, Captain Randy Li invites all three members to the studio to discuss how providing advanced care quickly and efficiently helped save a life.

On May 1, 2024, FDNY members in Brooklyn responded to a fire that would challenge even the department's most experienced fire ground commanders. What would initially appear to be a minor roof fire involving an awning in front of a supermarket, quickly escalated into a serious multiple-alarm fire, ultimately involving five structures and requiring the equivalent of an eight-alarm assignment to bring under control. Deputy Assistant Chief Joseph Duggan and FDNY Chief of Special Operations Malcolm Moore join host Battalion Chief Jason Cascone for a conversation. 

In this episode of the FDNY Pro Podcast, we welcome Captain Bevonia Harrison of Station 38 in Brooklyn. With a nearly 20-year career with FDNY EMS and time in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Captain Harrison discusses her lifelong commitment to service and her passion for giving back in some of the busiest neighborhoods in the city. She explains how important it is to her to make an impact in a community that's not far from her childhood home, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fires occurring in duct systems require specific considerations, especially in high-rise buildings. They can spread throughout the duct system to the structure itself, which can lead to a tactically complex operation. These fires can be difficult to extinguish, depending on the extent of the system and the occupancy of the building. FDNY Battalion Chief Anthony Pascocello returns to the FDNY Pro Podcast to discuss best practices at these type fires.

Season 10 of the FDNY Pro Podcast starts with Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker discussing issues facing the Department, including a new push for federal legislation to regulate lithium-ion batteries, the formation of the City’s brush fire task force, EMS call volume, and utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public safety. Battalion Chief Jason Cascone and Associate Commissioner Amanda Farinacci host.

We revisit conversations from our ninth season, including marking our 100th episode, of the FDNY Pro Podcast with host FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Barvels. During the 2024 season, pride and professionalism remains ever-present in FDNY training and operations, and continues to be reflected in the stories and lessons shared here on our podcast. We thank all the members who contributed this season as well as and reaffirm our commitment to offer resources to our peers in public safety and help save lives.

On January 16, 2024, FDNY members experienced an extreme fire event while operating at a residential building fire at 2162 Valentine Avenue in the Bronx. A fire in an apartment on the third floor of a six-story H-type New Law tenement extended into the public hallway, up the interior public stairwell, and blew fifteen feet out the roof bulkhead door.  

In this episode, host Battalion Chief Jason Cascone discusses this fascinating operation with Lt. Brian Currid and FF Rob Camaj from Ladder 33–the first due truck– and special guest Dr. Dan Madrzykowski, Senior Director of Research for the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes. 

An analysis of the fire concluded that the extreme fire behavior was caused by a combination of basic fire dynamics and combustible paint in the public hallway. A chain of openings—that included a failed fire-apartment window, the fire-apartment door and the roof-bulkhead door—created a low-intake, high-exhaust flow path.