FDNY Pro

To kick-off Season 11 of the FDNY Pro Podcast, Lillian Bonsignore returns to the podcast as the new Fire Commissioner. She discusses her priorities and offers a look ahead at the upcoming year with our host, Elizabeth Cascio. The Commissioner was sworn in as the Department’s 37th Fire Commissioner on January 6, 2026, by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. She is the first member of EMS to be named fire commissioner in the FDNY’s 160 years and brings with her three decades of experience as a uniformed member of EMS. Among other topics, we find out what inspired her to pursue emergency medicine, hear recollections of her most memorable responses and incidents, and why she’s always loved this Department and its members.

We revisit conversations from our tenth season of the FDNY Pro Podcast with host FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Barvels. As we reflect on this milestone season, we remain honored to share these operational stories and training tips with all of you. Thank you to all the members who contributed their expertise and experience.

On the morning of November 12, 2023, FDNY members in Manhattan executed a dramatic dive rescue in the Hudson River. As initial FDNY units arrived, a witness reported that a man had climbed over the railing and fallen backward into the water. After a brief struggle, he disappeared beneath the surface. Within moments, FDNY surface swimmers and a SCUBA diver entered the river and located the victim 15 feet below.
In this episode of the FDNY Pro Podcast, host Battalion Chief Jason Cascone speaks with Firefighter Jacob Dutton—the SCUBA diver involved in the operation—along with Captain Frederick Ill and Battalion Chief Thor Johannessen. All three are veteran rescue divers from FDNY Special Operations Command. They discuss the FDNY SCUBA program in depth, including the decision-making process for operationalizing a dive, the specialized equipment used by the Department and the extensive training required for these high-risk water rescues.

New York City is home to thousands of high-rise buildings, from legacy skyscrapers to modern glass towers. Their heights can range from seven stories to more than 100 stories, with vastly different interiors. The FDNY responds to fires and emergencies in all of them. Over the years, the FDNY has developed proven strategies and tactics but continues to adapt as they city’s skyline and building technologies evolve. Three experts in the field—Captain Chris Collier, and Lieutenants Dan Gordon and James Pirot—join host Battalion Chief Anthony Pascocello for a discussion on common challenges and best practices in these complex buildings.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, when 343 members made the Supreme Sacrifice, the FDNY grappled with the unimaginable loss of life while at the same time rebuilding its decimated Department. Processes were in place to handle line of duty deaths, but not for this unthinkable number of members. In the days, months and even years that followed, the FDNY faced the enormous challenge of grieving, honoring their fallen and their families, and beginning the long path to recovery.
 
During this time, the Department’s Ceremonial Unit took on a critical role—not only helping to manage hundreds of funerals and memorials, but donation ceremonies and tributes were a constant for many years. As a department, the FDNY always honors and remembers their fallen heroes. Post-9/11, the Ceremonial Unit rose to this challenging occasion, which is unmatched in the history of the fire service. The intention being—to honor our fallen, support their families on their darkest day in a dignified, fitting tradition.
 
Host Elizabeth Cascio sits down with two key players from those early days—First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra and Lieutenant Joe LaPointe—to hear how they responded on September 11th and how, while the Department was healing and rebuilding, the Ceremonial Unit attended multiple funerals and memorials daily—the most being 25 in one day.