The Kitchen Table

Today I sat with FDNY L-30 FF BRIAN QUINN. FF Quinn made a very rare high rise roof rope rescue of a woman on the 15th floor, of a high rise building in HARLEM NY. For his heroic and extremely dangerous act, FF QUINN received the 2nd highest medal on the FDNY. The Walter Scott Medal. Listen as he discusses the events of that day.  
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The Kitchen Table chops it up with Retired FDNY Captain and now full time content creator, Brian Lena. Captain Lena spent time in 97 Engine and 30 Truck as a fireman and 90 Engine as a Lt. He retired out of Division 8 as a Captain. In retirement, Captain Lena became a full time content creator and started the YouTube channel, Searching For Tone. He started Searching For Tone, to help beginner guitar enthusiasts learn about buying guitars, pedals and other equipment. He does unboxing and goes over each item and gives it an honest review. Go on over to the Searching for Tone channel and hit the subscribe button for great guitar information. This is Part 1&2

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Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with veteran FDNY Firefighter from  Hazmat E-44. JASON POWELL. Jason was also assigned to E-69 and L-28, The HARLEM HILTON in the 16th Battalion. FF Powell is also a published Author of several short stories and most recently the novel NO MAN’S GHOST. A story about a probationary fireman assigned to a busy Harlem co. Where he adjusts to being the new guy,  balancing the firehouse and his personal life.  Until one day they are forced to fight a multiple alarm apartment fire and they are forced to  realize the dangers of the job and the brotherhood that comes along with after tragic events.  In Part 1,  we talk  Jason’s early life and fire dept.  In Part 2, we talk more about his passion for writing and the release of NO MAN’S GHOST.   

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Today I sat with FDNY Squad 41 Firefighter Matt Nolan. Matt is a veteran Firefighter previously assigned to Engine 84 and then Ladder 34, where Harlem meets the Heights. Matt along with 2 members of Ladder 28, performed a daring roof rope rescue, at an apartment fire in Harlem NY. Along with Fr M. Kotzo and Pr. Fr. Lopez. Both from L-28. They saved 3 individuals hanging from a 6 story window. Never in the history of the FDNY has there been 3 roof rope rescues at 1 fire. Job well done Men. Take a listen while we chop it up at the kitchen table. 
Disclaimer. Apologies for my audio. Matt’s is fine mine sucks. The wireless mic didn’t connect and I didn’t realize it until the editing process. Oh well it is what it is. 
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Today i sat down with Lt. Ryan Johnston from Engine 289 of the FDNY.  Lt. Johnston started his career in the fire service with the Wantaugh Long Island, Volunteer fire dept. He then got Hired onto the FDNY in 2007 where he served 11 years in 59 Engine. 59 Engine is with 30 Truck in Harlem NY.  Lt. Johnston was promoted in 2018 and was assigned to Engine 289 in Queens NY.  Lt. Johnston opens up about many things including being 3 1/2 years sober. He hit rock bottom and had to make a tough but easy decision to save his marriage and family.  Lt. Johnston also talks about the daring rescues he and the members of Ladder 138 made, at a Queens private dwelling fire, where they help save and evacuate over 30 people. These heroic efforts earned him the FDNY Chief McElligot  Medal and FF Fitzpatrick and Frisby Award. Along with the other members of L138 receiving medals and citations for their heroic efforts and Bravery that day.

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with the author of BROOKLYN SKINHEAD, Lou Morales.
Lou opens up about growing up in the streets of the tough and violent neighborhood in Brooklyn NY, called SUNSET PARK. In the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s, Sunset Park was a violent crime filled neighborhood full of gangs. To survive that he had to adapt to it and with some local Latino friends, he formed the SUNSET SKINS.
A Skinhead crew who made their name in Brooklyn and the Lower east side of Manhattan, with their no nonsense attitude. They gained their respect in clubs like CBGB with their propensity for violence. But soon that violence would shut the Sunday shows down and crew, as such with life, drifted apart. In the years after Lou found himself depressed, alone and coping with alcohol. With no where to turn he prayed alone in his apartment and became a follower of Christ. He soon found the Times Square Church and became an overseas missionary spreading the word of God to trouble street kids in outreach programs. He would travel to Columbia, War torn Kosovo and muddy streets of Zambia, where he would raise his family. But in between he was working at 7 World Trade Center on the day of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He would later return to the States and go on to write his memoir, BROOKLYN SKINHEAD, one man’s journey from fear and self hatred to love and faith. Lou is such a good dude and has such an inspiring story I know you will love it. BROOKLYN SKINHEAD can be found on AMAZON. 
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