In this exciting episode, we sit down with Chief John Esposito, the Chief of Department for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). With a remarkable career that began in 1991, Chief Esposito shares his unique insights into leading a storied organization that has been serving New Yorkers for over 160 years.

Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of managing an organization with 17,000 employees and a budget exceeding $2 billion, all while navigating the lasting impact of 9/11 two decades later. Chief Esposito delves into the evolution of the FDNY, discussing how the role and character of the FDNY probie have changed—and yet, in many ways, remain steadfast.

Tune in for a compelling conversation that highlights the resilience, dedication, and pride of those who serve in an iconic fire department.

Have you heard of the White Mouse? Given the codename by the Gestpao in WW2, for her ability to evade capture and wreak havoc behind enemy lines, Nancy Wake was a larger-than-life character, and highly decorated Special Operations Operator. At one time, she topped the Nazi’s most wanted list. She was one of dozens of women who served in the Special Operations Executive during WW2, with distinction. 

Why were we so open about women in Special Operations nearly 100 years ago, but now we are so closed minded, at least it would seem?

To answer this question, Harry Moffitt is joined by Frank Steder, the Principle Scientist at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and one of the researchers who was originally involved in Norwegian Jergertroppen, or Hunter Troop: an all-female special operations unit.

Frank himself served with the Norwegian Armed Forces and since that time has been enlisted back to work in its science and technology branch and as a visiting scientist to the Norwegian Naval Postgraduate School.

Today we talk about women in the special forces, conscription, and big institutional change.

Join Harry Moffitt as he talks with Dr’s Deane-Peter Baker, Roger Herbert, and David Whetham about their new book The Ethics of Special Ops: Raids, Recoveries, Reconnaissance, and Rebels.

At the end of the Afghan campaign a number of Special Operations units were subject to investigations of alleged war crimes. In response, these three distinguished scholars have written a compelling book, looking at how we might learn the lessons of this time. In this broad ranging discussion, Harry, Deane, Roger, and David cover many related topics, including the ethics of war fighting and why it matters, how to prepare soldiers for the moral challenges of the battlefield, and some of the techniques they use in training and development, including The King’s College London Centre for Military Ethics Playing Cards, found at http://www.militaryethics.uk/en/playing-cards .

The Ethics of Special Ops: Raids, Recoveries, Reconnaissance, and Rebels (Cambridge University Press 2023). 

Dr Deane-Peter Baker is an Associate Professor of Ethics in the School of Humanities and Social Science at UNSW Canberra, and Director of the Military Ethics Research Lab and Innovation Network (MERLIN). He is also a Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Kings College London Centre for Military Ethics. 

Dr. Herbert is the Robert T. Herres Distinguished Military Professor of Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. Previously, he served for 26 years as a Naval Special Warfare officer, including commanding SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, Naval Special Warfare Unit 3, and the Naval Special Warfare Center. 

Dr David Whetham is Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession at the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London, based at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at the UK Defence Academy where he coordinates or delivers the military ethics component of courses for between two and three thousand British and international officers a year.

Join Harry Moffitt and Simon as they talk about his journey into tactical medicine and TEMS, his military experience, and leadership, teamwork, and navigating uncertainty inside trauma and emergency medicine. They also venture into the mind and trauma voyeurism.

Simon is the Deputy Director of the Trauma Services at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he practices clinically as an anaesthesiologist and a trauma consultant. His many areas of interest include trauma and health systems, trauma-team-work, austere medical support, prehospital care, and effective leadership in trauma care. He recently completed a study into tactical care in high-threat and complex environments, via a Churchill Fellowship looking at Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) and global tactical policing. You can read it here https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/simon-hendel-vic-2022/

Simon Hendel - Churchill Trust

To assess Police Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) in comparable overseas jurisdictions - Health and Medicine — Training of health and medical workers

www.churchilltrust.com.au

He is also a LT COL in the Army Reserve and has worked in and around Special Forces teams overseas and here in Australia, most notably deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Chris Warner, Mountaineer, Second American to Summit every 8,000 meter peak

Join Preston Cline as he and Chris Warner talk about his experiences in Mountaineering, in business, and in experiential education. Chris was one of Preston’s first instructors as a wilderness guide in 1989 and their lives have been intertwined ever since.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/this-climber-just-became-the-second-american-to-summit-every-8000-meter-peak/

Preston converses with Eric Hipke and Jim Cook on the power of staff rides in the South Canyon Fire.

Documentary

1994 South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain

https://youtu.be/ZzGTjfTHihU

Highly recommended report to anyone interested in the fire behavior and firefighter movement on the fire. 

Fire Behavior Associated with the South Canyon Fire (1998)

https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs/rmrs_rp009.pdf

Staff Ride Library: https://www.nwcg.gov/wfldp/toolbox/staff-ride/library

Commander Reid Wiseman is an American astronaut, engineer, and naval aviator. He served as Chief of the Astronaut Office until November 14, 2022. He was a member of the crew of Expedition 40/41, which launched to the International Space Station on May 28, 2014, and returned on November 10, 2014. Before joining NASA, Wiseman was a naval aviator and test pilot. Wiseman was the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office from June 2017, working under Chief Astronaut Patrick Forrester. On December 18, 2020, he was promoted to Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA. Reid has been selected as commander of the crew for the Artemis 2 flight, which is planned to make a flyby of the Moon in 2024. He is the first commander of a lunar mission since Gene Cernan on Apollo 17 in 1972

Dr. Anna Simons: The Anthropology of Mission Critical Teams

Dr. Anna Simons recently retired as a Professor of Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School. She holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard University and an A.B. from Harvard College. She is the author of Networks of Dissolution: Somalia Undone and The Company They Keep: Life Inside the U.S. Army Special Forces. Most recently she is the co-author of The Sovereignty Solution: A Commonsense Approach to Global Security. Simons' focus has been on conflict, intervention, and the military from an anthropological perspective. Her work examines ties that bind members of groups together as well as divides which drive groups apart. 

Eldership with Chief Chuck Downey

Chief Chuck Downey joined the FDNY in 1990 and is entering his 33rd year with the department. He is currently serving as the Chief of the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island, otherwise known as “The Rock,” Where he oversees all selection and training for the over 17,000 members of the FDNY. His brother Joe Downey is a 37-year veteran and the battalion commander of the FDNY Rescue Battalion, and together, they are the sons of legendary FDNY Chief Ray Downey, who had a 39½-year career and was the Chief in Charge of Special Operations Command when he made the Supreme Sacrifice at the World Trade Center on September 11. We talk about the role that the community must play, especially the elders in the community, to develop people to do hard things.

https://app.box.com/s/78t3ljmuzww0onmzjny5yso6y04yulhh