The Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast provides a platform to prepare performance leaders to navigate the moral, mental, emotional, intellectual and physical rigors in high-risk and ultra-competitive settings by developing strength of mind, body, character and critical thought.
Today, we are speaking with retired LT Shane McKeon as he is about to embark on his journey to complete the Western States 100. Shane is a seasoned endurance athlete and dedicated student of leadership and performance. He joined the ranks of the FDNY in the aftermath of September 11th and spent many years serving as a firefighter in Engine Company 84 and Ladder Company 34 in Washington Heights…
Our guest on this episode of the Leadership Under Fire: Humanizing the Narrative podcast is Capt Tim Young of the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department in Florida. Captain Young is a 22-year veteran of the department and currently serves at Station 14, having previously been assigned to Station 10. An avid reader and lifelong student of the profession, he resides in St. Johns County with his…
Joseph John Vigiano is a former U.S. Marine and currently serves as a Detective with the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit (ESU), where he is assigned to Squad 7 in Brooklyn. Joe is a 2015 graduate of SUNY Maritime College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation and obtained a Third Mate's Unlimited Tonnage License. Upon graduating from college, Joe enlisted in the…
Captain Andrew Serra spent 25 years with the FDNY, beginning his career as a Firefighter in Ladder 131, with rotations in Engine 231 and Engine 155, before moving to Squad 1. He later served as a Lieutenant in Engine 231 and ultimately as Captain of Ladder 20. Beyond the firehouse, Capt Serra is an accomplished writer and author of several books, including Tradition Continuesand Hell’s Hundred…
Jerry Smith Jr. is a 24-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department. He is assigned to Truck Co. 5 and presently detailed to Rescue Co. 1. He was previously assigned to Truck Company 15. Jerry is a twenty year member of the BCFD’s Dive Team and serves as a public safety scuba instructor. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Maryland. Jerry has been actively involved with…
Since our formal inception more than a decade ago, the Leadership Under Fire (LUF) team has championed professional reading as a cornerstone of operational excellence. A close study of history’s most effective, mission-oriented leaders reveals a consistent thread: their success is closely tied to disciplined engagement with literature, reflection, and critical thought. In 2022, LUF launched its…
Since our formal inception more than a decade ago, the Leadership Under Fire (LUF) team has championed professional reading as a cornerstone of operational excellence. A close study of history’s most effective, mission-oriented leaders reveals a consistent thread: their success is closely tied to disciplined engagement with literature, reflection, and critical thought. In 2022, LUF launched its…
Our guest today is FDNY Lieutenant Mike O’Connell, a 10-year member of the Department. Before being promoted, he served as a firefighter with Engine 202 and Ladder 102 in Brooklyn. Mike is a graduate of St. John’s University and is a member of both the MPI and Leadership Under Fire teams.
This episode is hosted by Jim McNamara. For those tuning in for the first time, Jim is a senior Firefighter at the FDNY and serves as a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire. He’s also the principal author of the Leadership Under Fire Senior Man’s Performance Journal. Bob Athanas is our guest in this episode. Bob recently retired after 37 years of service with the FDNY. Bob grew up…
In this episode, we revisit a conversation between Patti Murphy and FDNY Lt Matt Connor covering the Equitable Building fire on January 9th, 1912. This event tested the courage and skill of the FDNY in some of the most extreme conditions. The 10-story building at 120 Broadway in Lower Manhattan was considered “fireproof.” In reality, it was cast iron, full of combustible materials, and lacked…