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.

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 back to the FDNY to work as a physician in the Office of Medical Affairs. Captain Randy Li hosts.

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 Incident Management Team (IMT) and running the FDNY Bureau of Training until 2015.

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 Second Chance Ceremony.

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 for the safety of Department members as well as the passengers. In this episode, we discuss the wide-ranging effects of using the blue-light power removal boxes with the commanding officer of FDNY’s PTSU, the Public Transportation Safety Unit, Battalion Chief Bill Ventura. Battalion Chief Brian Mulry hosts.

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 Li 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.