Claim Ownership"The Firehouse"- WRHU 88.7 FM hosted by Chris Moses
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"Tune into 'The Firehouse' on WRHU 88.7 FM, a show dedicated to the heartbeat of New York's volunteer fire departments. Experience firsthand stories of bravery, community, and unyielding spirit."
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Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Chance Ervin. Chance Ervin is a volunteer firefighter with the Johnson Fire Department, proudly serving the communities of Johnson and Westtown, New York. He joined the department on October 9, 2023, and has nearly two years of volunteer firefighting experience.One of the most significant incidents Chance has responded to was the Jennings Creek Fires in Greenwood Lake, where he assisted in wildfire suppression operations alongside neighboring agencies.Outside of the fire service, Chance is a student at SUNY Orange, majoring in International Relations. When he is not studying or responding to emergency calls, he works as a produce clerk at ShopRite in Warwick, NY.Chance is committed to public service, teamwork, and continued learning both in and out of the firehouse.
Sitting with me in the FireHouse is Avril Ashley. Avril is a dedicated member of the Uniondale Fire Department, marking 20 years of service in June 2026. Originally from Queens, NY, he moved to Uniondale to give his family a better way of living, bought his first home, and was inspired to join the fire department after seeing the fire trucks pass his block—sparking a passion that became his lifelong calling.Throughout his career with Company 3, Avril has served as Lieutenant, Captain six times, Ex-Captain five times, and currently serves as Captain. He has also held the roles of Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief, and Chief of the Department. Today, he proudly serves as Commissioner of the Uniondale Fire Department. Despite decades of leadership, Avril considers himself a lifelong student of the fire service—continuously learning the levels, stages, and inner workings of the fire district.Be sure to watch the full episode to hear all of Avril’s firehouse stories! Follow Us On Instagram @wrhuthefirehouseFollow Us On TikTok @wrhuthefirehouseWant To Be A Guest On Our Show? Email Us: info@effray.net
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr. Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr., a proud Hempstead resident of over 40 years, was elected Mayor on March 16, 2021. His public service began in 2013 as a Village Trustee and later Deputy Mayor, where he oversaw key departments including Police, Fire, and Public Works. Since taking office, he has led major revitalization efforts, securing nearly $160 million for the Village, including a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. Mayor Hobbs is an active member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the African American Mayors Association, and NYCOM, serving on multiple committees focused on community development and government operations. A seasoned public servant, he has previously served as Supervisor of Code Enforcement, Commissioner of the Hempstead Housing Authority, and Board Member at Nassau University Medical Center. He is also a member and officer of the Hempstead Fire Department’s Truck Company One and an EMT-CC, earning the Life-Saving Star Award. Beyond his civic work, Mayor Hobbs has been the Senior Pastor of Coney Island Cathedral for over 30 years and Presiding Bishop of The Restoration Fellowship. He holds a Doctorate in Theology and is the author of New Mind, New You. Mayor Hobbs is married to Donna, a surgical RN and retired Lt. Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Together, they are committed to faith, family, and community service.
Sitting with me in The Firehouse is Olena Nicks. Olena joined the fire department right out of high school, beginning her journey in EMS before joining Rescue and rising through the ranks to become a Captain. Her passion for service began organically after seeing a sign for volunteer firefighters — a simple moment that inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others and strengthening her community. In addition to her fire service, Olena proudly serves as a Nassau County Legislator, continuing her dedication to leadership and public service.
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Bob Corwin. Bob Corwin’s journey in the fire service began early, following in the footsteps of his family. Though he officially joined as a Junior Firefighter in 1985, he had been around the firehouse long before that with his father and grandfather. His grandfather, an Ex-Chief of the department and Chief Driver of every motorized apparatus the Company owned, left a lasting legacy that Bob proudly carried forward.In 1989, at just 17 years old, Bob became a full member of the department. That same year, he introduced his wife—now a firefighter/paramedic—to the fire service. Over the years, Bob has taken on leadership roles, first serving as Captain in 2001 and again in two more terms, most recently from 2019 through 2025.Dedicated to both fire and EMS, Bob became an EMT in 1993 to support the department’s ambulance operations. Today, firefighting remains a true family tradition for the Corwins, with Bob, his father, his wife, and his son all serving as active members of the department.
Samuel Sanchez joined the Uniondale Fire Department in March 2023 at just 18 years old, while still in high school. Growing up, he was influenced by his father and grandfather who both served in the fire service. In high school, Samuel was active in Junior Army ROTC and took his first EMT class. Currently, he's a full-time trade student at Nassau BOCES studying automotive technology, and also works part-time at Micro Center. Samuel is in chauffeur training for 755 and he hopes to build a long-term career in the fire service.
Kurt Becker currently serves as the 1st Assistant Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department, where he has proudly volunteered for over 14 years with Engine Company #2. A two-time Ex-Captain of his company and a dedicated 3rd generation firefighter, Kurt carries on his family’s legacy of service and leadership in the fire service.
Alexia Netto has been proudly serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Hempstead Fire Department’s Southside Ladder 2 for the past seven months. Firefighting runs in her family, as her grandfather once wore the same gear, but her own passion was born from powerful personal experiences. After witnessing a fire near her home and later watching her uncle’s house catch fire, Alexia was deeply moved by the dedication and precision of the firefighters who responded. From that moment on, she knew she wanted to be part of that brotherhood and sisterhood. Today, she continues that legacy of service, carrying forward both her family’s history and her own commitment to protecting her community.
🔥🚒 The Firehouse on WRHU 88.7 FM is powered by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, who’s committed more than $300K to firefighters in 2025 alone.🥃Tap in 👉 propertwelveoneforall.com 💻✨Support those who support us 🙌💯William “Cheech” Herrera has proudly served 37+ years with the Hempstead Fire Department, Victory Engine #4, where he became the department’s first Latino member—paving the way for many who followed. Throughout his career, he held roles as Lieutenant, Captain, and Rescue Squad officer, earning respect during challenging times. Though an on-duty injury as a Nassau County Correctional Officer forced early retirement, his legacy of leadership and service remains strong. Now living in North Carolina, William continues to share his story and passion for the fire service.
John “Chappy” Sandiford- A Firefighter with 22 years of service. He has served with the Syosset FD, Jericho FD, and North Lindenhurst FD, where he also held the rank of Ex-Lieutenant. A two-time state champion with the Piston Knockers Drill Team, John proudly continues a family tradition in the fire service dating back to 1933 with the Jericho FD.
James Fehling has dedicated over 35 years to the fire service. He began at 18 with the Wantagh Fire Department, later serving in Levittown and Sound Beach before joining the FDNY, where he spent nearly 20 years in companies including Ladder 112 in Brooklyn and Engine 260/Foam 260 in Long Island City. His career was marked by responding to the Father’s Day Fire and 9/11, where he lost his brother, Lee, of E235. After retiring due to injury, James continued his commitment to service, joining the Miller Place Fire Department, where he now serves as chief driver. Beyond the firehouse, he is the committee chair for Boy Scout Troop 204 and a volunteer puppy raiser with the Guide Dog Foundation. Service and community remain at the heart of his family’s life.
Josh Ganshaw joined the Bethpage Fire Department on September 6, 2011—the same day he started at Hofstra University—after spending two years in the department’s Juniors program. Assigned to Ladder Company 3, he worked his way up through lieutenant and captain before becoming the department’s youngest assistant chief, where he focuses on leadership development and supporting the mental health of his members. Outside the firehouse, Josh serves as an NYPD officer in the Bronx and has over 13 years of experience in fire apparatus sales with Ferrara Fire Apparatus, where he takes pride in designing and delivering trucks for departments across the region.
Canaan Crayton serves with Brookside Engine Company 2 of the Uniondale Fire Department and works with FDNY EMS, proudly protecting both his local community and New York City. Fire service runs in his blood — with family in the department, it was always something he aspired to do. He began his journey early as a Captain in the Uniondale Juniors, where his passion and leadership took root.
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Sean Hendrickson. Sean is originally from Long Island, New York. He left Long Island in 2015 to serve in the United States Navy. After his service, he settled down in St. Mary’s County Maryland, where he is currently a volunteer firefighter and a Police K-9 officer one county away. Sean has been around the volunteer fire service since he was born as his father was the fire chief of the Syosset fire department. Everyone in his family is in the volunteer fire department across Nassau and Suffolk County which led him to join as a junior, and later becoming a full member when he was 16 1/2. Social Media:Facebook: Sean Michael Instagram: Sean_mike4
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Chris Drummond. Chris is a 22-year-old firefighter with five years of experience, currently serving with Brookside Engine Company 2 of the Uniondale Fire Department. His journey in the fire service has taken him from North Carolina to upstate New York and now to Uniondale. He is also a proud U.S. Army veteran and former paratrooper.
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Dominic Guida. Dominic is in his 11th year as an EMS provider - 9 as an EMT and now over a year and a half out of Medic class. Before EMS he worked as an advocate for a disability law firm and as a social worker in various Group and Mental Health settings. Dominic then switched from Social Work to Full Time EMS when Northwell Health called him in 2018. He currently works out in Suffolk County doing the "Suffolk Shuffle" and serves the Sayville Community Ambulance Company as First Assistant Chief. In the near future, Dominic plans on re-certifying his card, going for one of the board certifications (either FPC or CCP) as well as pursuing a Masters in either Business or Education. Outside of work, he goes to the gym, cooks, keeps up with his father, teaches EMS, and a huge advocate for all things mental health.
Sitting with me in the FireHouse is Phil Falco. Phil is a 34-year volunteer firefighter with the Central Islip Fire Department, and a 20-year career Firefighter/EMT with Long Island MacArthur Airport Crash Fire Rescue. He also serves as the Central Islip Fire Districts Safety Officer and is a member of the Islip Town Haz Mat team. The fire service isn’t just what he does—it’s who he is. Over the years, he's been tested in ways that leave a lasting mark. He's faced tragedy, made tough calls, and grown through every high and low that comes with this job. These events have definitely shaped Phil and has helped him to deal with life’s endeavors. When his son became a cancer survivor, it shifted something in him. That experience fueled his mission to protect not just lives on the fire-ground, but the long-term health of every firefighter he serves alongside. That’s what led him to launch Makin The Push—an Instagram platform dedicated to firefighter safety, wellness, and cancer prevention.One of his greatest honors has been watching his sons follow in his footsteps—both joining the Central Islip Fire Department, with one continuing on to serve with the Myrtle Beach Fire Department. Outside the firehouse, his hobby is BBQ and smoked foods. He has even created his own bourbon BBQ sauce. He is also a lifelong fan of drill team racing—one of the fire service’s best traditions. Phil believes in doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. That mindset has carried him through every shift, every challenge, and every chapter of this journey.
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Kristen Keller. Kristen Keller joined the Lakeland Fire Department in 2007 and currently serves as EMS Chief, a role she also held in 2020, 2021, and again in 2024. Over the years, she has held several leadership positions within the department on the EMS side, and is the Department’s Corporation Secretary. Kristen is a CPR instructor for the department. Fire service runs in the family—her mother, Sue, a former EMS Chief, and her brother, Mike, are also members. Kristen met her husband, Dan, at Lakeland; they married in 2020 and have a daughter, Mackenzie.Outside of the fire department, Kristen is a Paramedic Supervisor at Northwell Health Center for EMS, where she began as an EMT in 2013 and advanced through roles including Paramedic and Critical Care Paramedic. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a focus on voice. She sings at local churches, performs in theatre, and regularly performs the national anthem at various events, including 9/11 ceremonies, Installation Dinners, and sporting events.Lakeland EMS Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lakelandfdems?igsh=MXdiY3F6am8yMmhkag== Website: Home - Lakeland Fire Rescue
Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Evan Schatzberg. Born into a family of firefighters, Evan Schatzberg has fire service in his blood. As the Deputy Chief of the Plainview Fire Department, Schatzberg has dedicated 27 years of his life to protecting his community. Following in the footsteps of his father, who has been with the department for an impressive 56 years, Schatzberg joined at just 18 years old and has held every rank, from second lieutenant to first lieutenant to captain. With his uncle recently celebrating 50 years of service, it's clear that Schatzberg was destined for a career in the fire department. Drawing on the invaluable experience of responding to calls alongside his father, Schatzberg has developed an unparalleled expertise that makes him an indispensable asset to the Plainview Fire Department.
Born in Hicksville but raised in East Northport, Carolyn Schatzberg has dedicated over a decade of service to the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department. As President of the Ladies Auxiliary since 2010, Carolyn plays a vital role in supporting the department's operations and community efforts.Under Carolyn's leadership, the Auxiliary has evolved to meet the changing needs of the fire service. They now coordinate essential services like providing meals during trainings and lengthy fire calls, as well as hosting the annual children's holiday party. Carolyn's passion for the fire department runs deep - her husband Evan is the 1st Deputy Chief, and the Schatzberg family has a long history of involvement.Outside of the firehouse, Carolyn indulges her diverse interests, from playing the bagpipes with Tara Pipes & Drums to sewing (earning her the high school nickname "Crayon"). As she steps down from her officer role this year, Carolyn looks forward to supporting the next generation of Auxiliary volunteers and staying involved as an active member.
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