Leadership Under Fire

Learning and Leading After 9/11 with FDNY Battalion Chief Jason Cascone

Battalion Chief Jason Cascone has served in the FDNY since 2001. He is currently assigned to Battalion 17 in the Bronx. Prior assignments include Engine 67 and Ladder 36 as a firefighter, Engine 332 as a lieutenant and Ladder 11 UFO as a captain. He holds a BBA in accounting from Pace University and an MPA from Baruch College, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs. He attended the West Point Counterterrorism Leadership Program, the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security and the FDNY Mental Performance Initiative. He is a content producer for the Department’s Bureau Fire Operations, and is the editor in chief of WNYF magazine—the FDNY’s official training publication which has been publishing since 1940.

Purpose and Performance as a Pararescueman with Doug Kechijian

Doug Kechijian is a physical therapist and CEO and co-founder of Resilient Performance Systems. Resilient seeks to systematically explore the continuum between acute rehabilitation and athletic performance. Resilient’s clientele includes athletes and operators from Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), professional mixed martial arts, X Games, Winter and Summer Olympics, collegiate athletes as well as those in federal law enforcement tactical teams and military special operations units. Before beginning his sports medicine practice, Doug was a Pararescueman in the U.S. Air force where he deployed throughout the world to help provide technical rescue capability and emergency medical care to U.S and allied forces. He is a nationally certified paramedic with advanced training in emergency, trauma, and wilderness medicine. In 2015, he was selected as one of the U.S. Air Force's Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Doug received his AB in Biology from Brown University and MA in Exercise Physiology/Doctor of Physical Therapy from Columbia University.

LtCol Justin Constantine, USMC--A Life of Service Well Lived

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, US Marine LtCol, attorney and veteran advocate Justin Constantine passed away at the age of 52 after a long bout with cancer. While on a combat patrol with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines in October 2006, Justin was severely wounded by an Al Qaeda sniper’s bullet which inflicted devastating damage to his face. Through teamwork, mental fortitude, the gifted hands of surgeons and medical professionals, and tremendous support from his family and friends, Justin successfully endured several years of intensive surgeries and went on to live a full life of continued service to others. In late October of 2012, firefighters and fire officers from across the country gathered in Philadelphia, PA, for Leadership Under Fire’s inaugural summit. The “Making Yourself Hard to Kill” conference rigorously examined what was at the time a commonly neglected dimension of performance at fire and high-risk operations—the mental aspect. Justin was truly the epitome of resilience, and was a natural fit for the summit panel of survivors. Though Justin’s time on Earth was finite, his words of encouragement, which you'll hear in this episode, are timeless.  
Celebrate the life of Justin Constantine: celebratejustinconstantine.org

Climbing Everest Without Oxygen and With Morality with Ed Webster

In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast, you’ll hear from American climber and author, Ed Webster. This recording of Webster reflecting on risk and resiliency took place in Pennsylvania in October 2012 at the first Leadership Under Fire Making Yourself Hard to Kill Conference, which paved the way for future Leadership Under Fire conferences and events. Webster is a record-breaking climber who has achieved and survived the impossible, including in 1988, when he and three partners ascended a new, never-before-attempted route up Mt. Everest’s most dangerous, isolated side in Tibet with no sherpas, no radios and no oxygen. 

”See the World Differently” with LtCol Charlie Black, USMC (Ret)

In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast, we welcome back to the show LtCol Charlie Black, USMC (Ret). Black was featured on the podcast in early February 2020 in episode #27 where he discussed leadership in a rapidly changing environment. Shortly after the episode aired, all of our lives were drastically impacted by world-changing events including the tragic loss of life and economic effects of a global pandemic to civil unrest. 2021—and so far 2022—have brought on significant worldwide challenges as well such as America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since Black is  a dynamic, transformative and futures-oriented leader with over thirty five years of diverse global experience and proven talent for cultivating winning and resilient teams that attain favorable futures in an accelerating and turbulent world, the Leadership Under Fire Team thought it would be fitting to invite him back on the show.

LUF Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) and Captain Tommy Gardner–Part II

This is the second and final installment of our Leadership Under Fire Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) and Captain Tommy Gardner. Both individuals have worked in some of the busiest companies in the FDNY and served in the United State Navy prior to joining the Department. This conversation affords seasoned leaders the opportunity to candidly reflect on leadership lessons and human performance principles resulting from the many wins and losses they’ve experienced. The episode is hosted by LUF Senior Man Jim McNamara. If you haven’t listened to Part I, we strongly suggest you go back and listen to it as this conversation picks up from where we left off. 

Cold Case Investigations: Serving Justice and Building Resilience with Detective Wendell Stradford, NYPD (Ret)

On September 11, 2021, Wendell Stradford marked his 63rd birthday, the birth of his granddaughter, and the end of his nearly forty-year career with the NYPD. Detective Stradford aged out of service after having spent the bulk of his career working and solving cold cases. There were many successes in the detective’s time on the job, but there were many challenges that came along with it. He joined the Department in 1984 prior to the consolidation of the New York City Transit Police and Housing Authority Police in 1995. Stradford built a reputation as a superb investigator and proud public servant despite the dangers of policing. While off-duty, Stradford made sure to carve out time to coach his children and local high school athletes. He’s coached several basketball teams including the Police Athletic League and has served as the longtime assistant coach at St. Peter’s Boys High School on Staten Island. After a long career chasing down criminals and solving heinous crimes, Stradford was asked to share his expertise consulting on TV crime shows, which is how he’s been spending time in retirement. 

LUF Fireside Chat Series featuring FDNY Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) & Captain Tommy Gardner--Part I

This episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast is hosted by Jim McNamara and features FDNY Battalion Chief Jack Pritchard (Ret) and Captain Tommy Gardner. Both individuals have worked in some of the busiest companies in the FDNY. Chief Pritchard started his career in 1970 in Squad 4. During his career he went on to work in Rescue Co. 2, Rescue Co. 5, Engine Co. 255, Ladder Co. 157 and served as a chief in Battalion 41. Over the course of Captain Gardner's career he served in Engine Co. 255, Ladder Co. 157, Ladder Co. 111. After 9/11, he worked at the FDNY's Fire Training Academy. Once promoted to Captain, he served in Ladder Co.113. Gardner is a plank owner of Squad 8 on Staten Island. Both men served in the United State Navy prior to joining the FDNY. 

Reflections on a Family Legacy with Deputy Chief Jim Ginty, FDNY (Ret)

Deputy Chief Jim Ginty is a 37 year veteran of the FDNY. Assigned as a probationary firefighter to Einge Co. 43/Ladder Co. 59 in 1984 to the war ravaged Bronx. Upon promotion to Lieutenant, an assignment to Ladder Co. 28 in Harlem. As a Captain, he served in Ladder Co. 147 in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Upon yet another promotion, Chief Ginty returned to Harlem in Battalion 12. Chief Ginty capped off his career with one final promotion, to Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Command of the FDNY. In addition, Chief Ginty has been instrumental in the development and execution of the FDNY’s Mental Performance Initiative. Chief Ginty also is intimately involved in the Fire Family Transport program, which obtains vehicles to be used by sick and injured firefighters and their families.

Rescue Company Command with Capt Brian McNulty, Rescue Co. 2, Milwaukee FD

Leadership Under Fire founder Jason Brezler hosts this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast. Our guest in this episode is Captain Brian McNulty of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Rescue Company 2. Capt McNulty joined the ranks of the Milwaukee Fire Department in 1999. In addition to serving as the company commander of Rescue Co. 2, McNulty is a co-director for the department’s technical rescue team and is an adjunct instructor at the training academy. He is also the lead tactical training instructor for our generous sponsor Conway Shield’s Training Division.