Fire Service / Fdny Episodes

Twenty-five years after 9/11, more than 600 FDNY members have died from Ground Zero-related illness, nearly double the number lost in the collapse itself.

Dr. Johnny Torgeson opened a top-grossing fitness franchise at 25, served as an Army sergeant, and now commands operations at a federal fire department. Along the way he identified a gap most fire officers never get taught: how to actually build a team, not just staff one.

The response to Ground Zero didn't end in 2001. For the FDNY, it became a 25 year path through recovery, transformation, and choices most agencies will never have to make.5 Fewer than 600 of the 11,500 FDNY firefighters who were at the World Trade Center on September 11 remain on the job.

Terry Hastings didn't set out to become New York State's first Chief Wellness Officer. He built the case for the role one needs assessment, one training module, one hard conversation at a time.

The injury gets treated. The claim gets filed. The responder gets lost in between. Retired Battalion Chief David Picone spent years inside a system that's supposed to cover everything: prevention, behavioral health, cancer, rehab, the claim itself, and watched it fail at the seams. So he rebuilt it.

Suzanne Stone, President and CEO of Livestrong, joins Responder Resilience to talk about the First Responder Ride for Resilience: why it exists, who's riding, and what it means for a first responder community still absorbing the cost of that day, and every day since.

What happens when every traditional treatment fails — and a first responder is still drowning? Retired FDNY-EMS paramedic and Army combat medic Carmine Fiore survived 30 treatment centers and 15 heroin overdoses before trying something the first responder world rarely talks about: Ibogaine-assisted treatment at Ambio Life Sciences in Tijuana, Mexico.

In this episode of Responder Resilience, Dr. Clark gets into the culture behind the casualty. Why America emphasizes suppression over prevention while other countries do the opposite — and why that choice shows up in the death toll.

In this episode, Dr. Moore pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build wellness programs that change lives — not because a flyer went up in the break room, but because someone did the slow, patient, relationship-driven work of making it real.

In this episode of Responder Resilience's Visionary Leaders Masterclass, Fire Chief Nick Marsan from Westport, CT, shares his mantra: “Mission First, People Always.” This phrase isn’t just a slogan; it’s a guiding principle that can reshape leadership in the fire service.

In this encore presentation of Responder Resilience, we revisit the compelling journey of retired FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore, who recently took on the role of Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department.

We sit down with Danielle Gustafson, the passionate Executive Director of the EMS FDNY Help Fund, a beacon of hope for New York City's Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. These first responders confront an array of obstacles—from the relentless pressures of their job to the barriers in accessing the care they desperately need.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Anthony Almojera, a 20-year veteran Lieutenant and passionate advocate for EMS, as he sheds light on the harsh realities of a profession that battles for recognition alongside firefighters and police, exploring the mental health toll and alarming turnover rates that have surged in the wake of the pandemic.

In this Clinicians' Guide Masterclass, we turn the spotlight on the often-overlooked world of mental health in disaster response.

In this episode, we hear from seven influential FDNY leaders who share their insights on effective leadership, resilience, and wellness.

Get ready to embark on the inspiring journey of Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the groundbreaking former U.S. Fire Administrator

We talk with Lt. Tommy Bolin, a firefighter and paramedic from Central Ohio, about the hidden mental health struggles first responders face, and drawing from his book, “Unseen Battles: The Price of Duty in a Life of Trauma and Sacrifice.”

We sit down with Jim Burneka and Nick Magoteaux, the dynamic duo behind the Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference. From raw, personal stories to powerful insights about mental health, these two are on a mission to help first responders navigate the often-overlooked challenges they face.

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Lieutenant Andrew Kane, a seasoned veteran of the FDNY with three decades of experience. Drew was on the front lines at Ground Zero during 9/11 and has committed his life to supporting firefighters and their families in navigating mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Join us in this smoldering episode as we sit down with Erik Mickelsen, a seasoned Investigator from the Franklin Township Fire Marshals Office and Somerset County Fire Investigation Unit.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Retired Fire Chief Patrick J. Kenny, author of “Taking the Cape Off: How to Lead Through Mental Illness, Unimaginable Grief, and Loss.” We peel back the layers of leadership in emergency services and what it truly means to lead with strength and vulnerability.

In this episode, we sit down with Lt. Danny Smith, a retired firefighter whose 18 years of service took an unexpected turn during a harrowing cardiac event in 2017. Danny shares his transformative journey of navigating the critical crossroads of health and well-being.

We speak with Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the First Responder Center for Excellence. We’ll honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and discuss the vital mission of NFFF in supporting the mental health and wellness of responders.

This critical episode explores a pressing issue affecting every firefighter: cancer prevention and detection. Join FDNY Battalion Chief John Haseney as we discuss vital steps being taken to overcome implementation barriers within the fire service.