FMBA Nation

In this episode, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with FMBA Local 228 President Frank Noborine and Vice President Abdur Yasin about vaccine mandates, layoffs, contract negotiations and some other happenings in their Local. If you would like to feature your local on a podcast episode, please email [email protected]. 

FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, sat down with Dave Russell, owner of Fire and Safety Services, and discusses the supply chain management and procurement issues that the fire service is currently facing. Dave's insight and knowledge is very valuable to any department that is currently looking to purchase new fire apparatus. 

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower speaks with PFRSNJ Trustee, Matt Lubin, about the DCRP - Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, and how it affects the Tier 2 and Tier 3 members of the PFRSNJ. For anyone that has 14 years or less in the PFRSNJ, this is a must listen to episode to educate you on the DCRP enrollment, contribution rates, salary limit, and more. 

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Donna Buscio and Dr. Garcia about the 20th Anniversary of the Gift From Captain Buscio program. The program has provided so many first responders in NJ with exceptional care and so many lives have been saved as a result of the comprehensive physical exam. All current and retired firefighters, police, and emergency responders, and their officers are invited to participate in the program throughout the State of New Jersey. They will then have opportunity to receive confidential com­prehensive cardiovascular and pulmonary medical evalua­tions.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with the 126th NJ FMBA September Convention keynote speaker Lt. Col. Robert Darling, USMC (Ret.), about his incredible story of adversity and crisis management as he spent 24 hours inside the the POTUS' White House Bunker on 9-11-01. Lt. Col. Darling was the White House Airlift Operations Officer who, during the attack on America on 9/11/01, responded to the underground White House Bunker Complex and stood shoulder to shoulder with America’s highest leaders as they made unprecedented crisis leadership decisions on behalf of all Americans.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower, sits with Rob Garrison, Legal Counsel for the PFRSNJ, and talks about federal student loan forgiveness for public service employees. Rob runs through the steps you need to take to see if you qualify, and how to convert your current older federal loans to direct loans for the discharge. The deadline to convert the loans is October 31st, 2022 and you can find out if you are eligible for the program by visiting www.studentaid.gov

Ever wonder what it takes to start a 501(c)3 Foundation? Look no further! In this episdoe, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Karen Taylor-Burke from PKF O'Connor Davies and NJ FMBA Treasurer Troy Powell on how to get started and the benefits of starting a foundation for your local. 

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Attorney Joe Burke about dependency claims. Joe is a retired Captain from Montclair FMBA Local 20 who is now a practicing attorney at law who focuses on worker's compensations claims. Joe discusses how the Thomas Canzanella Act and dependency claims work and how a member's family can use the dependency claim to help with financial hardships. 

In this episode, FMBA nation host Bill Brower talks with Cherie Castellano about the NJ Fire/EMS Lifeline which has been established to provide mental health support and services to NJ first responders and their families. If you or someone you know needs help please call the lifeline at 888-653-3367 or go to www.njfireems.com for more information on how to get assistance. 

In Episode 51, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with nuclear physicist, Dr. Graham Peaslee, from the University of Notre Dame, about the forever chemicals known as PFAS that has been contaminating firefighters for years. These chemicals have been linked to cancer and have been found in the turnout gear that is worn everyday by firefighters as well as the foam that is used for chemical and flammable liquid fires for years. This is a must listen episode in battling the cancer epidemic of the fire service.