Lessons from the Leaders of FDNY | S5 E37

Frank Leeb is a Deputy Assistant Chief in the Fire Department of New York and is the Acting Chief of Training. Frank has been a member of the FDNY since 1992, and holds a bachelor's degree in Fire Service Administration and a Master’s in Security Studies.

Chief Lillian Bonsignore, Paramedic, CIC- is a retired, 31-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York who served as the FDNY Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2022 during the COVID Pandemic. She was the highest-ranking Officer in the EMS command, the highest-ranking uniformed female in FDNY and the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in the history of FDNY. Chief Bonsignore was responsible for the operational oversight and leadership of more than 4300 EMS Providers in New York City where EMS responds to 1.5 million calls per year. She also has an extensive history in EMS training. She previously served as the FDNY Chief of the EMS Academy where she was responsible for the EMS Probationary School, EMS Officer training and managed the EMS certification of more than 13,000 members of the FDNY. Chief Bonsignore retired in December 2022. Chief Bonsignore is now a senior advisor for Cambridge Consulting Group.

Thomas Dunne is a retired Deputy Chief and 33 year veteran of the New York City Fire Department with extensive experience working in Mid-Manhattan and the Bronx. He has been the incident commander at hundreds of fires and emergencies in the city.

Chief Dunne lectures on incident command, fire safety, and human behavior in disaster at conferences and colleges across the country through his “Third Alarm Fire Training” seminars. He has written numerous articles for fire service publications and serves as an adjunct instructor for both the National Fire Academy and Kean University.

He is the author of Notes From the Fireground, a memoir of his experiences with the FDNY and a novel, A Moment in Time

Kristina Moon is the president of The Billy Moon Foundation which supports, advocates and brings awareness to organ donation. Prior to that, she spent 20 years in the field of elementary education. Now, as she overcomes the grief of losing her husband in December of 2022, she finds herself educating others on the importance of having hard conversations with loved ones as she shares her family’s story around the country through the foundation. Kristina’s husband, firefighter William P. “Billy” Moon, II lost his life after a fall while preparing for a training exercise in the quarters of Rescue 2 in Brooklyn. She prides herself on spreading such an important message, celebrating the life of her husband, and keeping his memory alive, especially for their two children.

Frank Leto, retired FDNY, has been a leader in fire service behavioral health since the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. He travels nationally and internationally developing behavioral health protocols and aiding communities after major events. Mr. Leto is a member of the IAFF Disaster Response To-Go Team. Frank has worked closely with the NFFF and is a member of the FRCE Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. He also collaborates in research, regarding pressing health and safety issues throughout the fire service. Frank was one of the first graduates of the West Point Military Academy’s Terrorism and Counterterrorism Program. He also holds degrees and advanced certificates from Binghamton University and New York University.

Battalion Chief John Haseney has served the FDNY since 2005. Currently, he is assigned to Battalion 44. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a master's degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He served in the New York Army National Guard from 2004-2012 and is an Afghanistan combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. Founding and active member of the FDNY Contamination Reduction Workgroup which began in 2017. Workgroup was created to reduce its members’ exposure to fireground contaminants that cause cancer-related deaths and disabilities.

Drew Kane is a 30yr veteran of the New York City Fire Department. For 12 years, Lieutenant Kane was assigned as a firefighter to Engine Company 37 in Harlem, and on September 11, 2001, Lt. Kane responded to the World Trade Center site. There, he continued to participate in search and rescue efforts for many months following the event. His experience as a first responder, especially his response to 9/11, fostered his desire and passion to assist other firefighters and their family members who struggle with substance use disorder and other mental health disorders.

In 2004, Lt. Kane was assigned to the New York City Fire Department’s Counseling Service Unit (FDNY-CSU) as a peer/substance abuse counselor within the Addiction Treatment Program. In 2009 he graduated with a master’s degree in social work from Hunter College School of Social Work. He holds a license in social work from New York State and is a Credentialed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CASAC).

In 2009, Lt. Kane was promoted to Program Director of the Addiction Treatment Program. As Program Director, Lt. Kane was responsible for the supervision of the daily operations of this unit and its staff of licensed mental health professionals. He managed clinical interventions for firefighters and their families, as well as group and individual counseling.

In 2020, Lt. Kane was promoted to Deputy Director of the FDNY-CSU. The CSU is comprised of six sites throughout the metropolitan area that serve the 16,000 active members of the FDNY and their families, addressing behavioral, mental health … Read More