The Rochester Volunteer Fire Company is devastated to announce the death of Assistant Chief Cathy Wagner. To say she was the heart and soul of our department would be an understatement. From raising her children to her work in EMS and as a registered nurse, she committed her … [Read more...]
The FDNY is mourning the loss of Firefighter Joseph A. Ferrugia, 61, from COVID-19. Firefighter Ferrugia was a 30-year veteran of the Department, joining the FDNY in October, 1990, assigned to Ladder Company 142 in Queens. Twice in his outstanding career he was cited for bravery. … [Read more...]
A female FDNY EMT was assaulted at the scene of a three-alarm fire in the Bronx that damaged seven businesses. The fire broke out on Westchester Avenue in the Parkchester section just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday, right near the elevated subway tracks. The fire appears to have … [Read more...]
Interesting and unique subject discussion tomorrow (Wednesday) that you may be interested in. WHEN: Wednesday January 27 at 1300 Eastern (NOON Central etc) WHAT: “Helping Firefighters get back to work after the virus...the path and the steps needed for a healthy return.” … [Read more...]
Donald O’Connell said his son David always knew he wanted to be a firefighter. “His fire alarm pager was always on, always at his side,” O’Connell said. “Even at school, he got yelled at because the pager would go off in the middle of class because he wanted to know what his … [Read more...]
The firefighter’s family had decided to let him go. For a month, Steve Collins, a 33-year veteran of the Prince George’s County fire department, had been hooked to a ventilator and fighting for his life against the coronavirus. The doctors said he would not wake up. His … [Read more...]
What First Responders Teach Us about Cumulative Stress
A firefighter and EMS worker I recently saw reported that he had been on the job since he was 18 years old. He recognized that over time his cumulative stress impaired his relationships and ability to relate to others. He was having a challenging time maintaining a long-term … [Read more...]
TRAUMA AT THE STATION
Casual use of the N-word. Physical assaults. A stuffed animal painted black and hanged from a noose at a firehall where a Black firefighter worked. Two workplace reviews the city keeps so secret, it has denied one's very existence and redacted every word in the other when forced … [Read more...]
WEBINAR THIS COMING TUESDAY: SIZING UP "THAT VACCINE"...FOR FIREFIGHTERS: Separating Fact and Fiction January 19, 2021 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time Featuring: -FDNY Captain Frank Leto – Captain & Deputy Director of Counseling Services, FDNY -Dr. Sara Jahnke, … [Read more...]
FIRE CHIEF WRITES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
GREENSBURG – Fire Chief Nathan Stoermer brings a unique perspective to being a published author and public speaker; he is a suicide survivor. In the November 2019 edition of the firefighting industry online and print periodical “Firehouse,” Stoermer talked about a sensitive … [Read more...]