The Kitchen Table

Today I had the pleasure of choppin it up with career Department of Defense DOD Federal Firefighter NICK PALUMBO. FF PALUMBO started his love and career of the fire service in 1999 as a young Fire Explorer in Englishtown NJ. In 2002 he graduated the Fire Academy and joined the East Freehold NJ Volunteer Fire Company. In 2006 he was hired per diem in Bordentown TWP Fire District 2. In 2008 he joined the Freehold Fire Department. He was hired by the Department of Defense Fire Department in 2009 and started in Ft. Monmouth NJ. 2011 He transferred to Veteran Affairs FD in Alexandria Louisiana, after the closure of Ft. Monmouth. 2012 headed back northeast to work in Northport LI. 2015 transferred to Picatinny Arsenal in NJ. 2016 joined the Plainsboro Fire Company. 2020 transferred to Naval Weapon Station in Earle NJ. FF PALUMBO has been doing private fire investigation since 2006. And started the Outside Vent Training and Consulting LLC in 2018. In 2022 he started with JS Held LLC as A senior Fire investigator. He started a podcast in 2024 called The Firehouse Sergeant’s Podcast which is also the title of his first book FF PALUMBO retired in 2026 from the DOD fire fighting career. Thank you to Nick for spending some time with me at my Kitchen Table. Best of luck in retirement.  All links to Nick will be below.#fyp #foryou #fire #firefighter #firefighters #departmentofdefense #veteranaffairs #volley #nickpalumbo #outsidevent #firehouse #firestation #firecommunity #firecompany #volunteer #foryoupage #freehold #eastfreehold #firehousesergeants #newjersey #dod #brotherhood #careerfirefighter #fireinvestigation #fireinvestigator #author #podcast Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies.This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice.Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions.Chapters:00:00 intro02:00social media and podcasting 09:30 early life freehold nj 16:02 fire explorer 20:40 first fires25:31 scenario31:31 Bordentown 37:40 DOD fire service ft. Monmouth44:00 confusion with dad’s paperwork 47:50 hand in elevator 57:00 complacency and drilling1:06:00 fire investigation and squirrels 1:14:00 outside vent LLC 1:25:30 trauma and depression 1:33:20 firehouse sergeants 1:47:30 picture time1:54:00 final words1:55:00 outroLinks:  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_outside_vent?stkn=c3ZvaG9vaTMxbDNmYouTube:https://youtube.com/@firehousesergeants?si=6apaUWm6SNp5hx-hFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1K94MKws7p/?mibextid=wwXIfrRed Helmet training:https://www.redhelmettraining.com/Firehouse book club: https://www.firefighterbookclub.com/Firehouse Sergeants Amazon:https://a.co/d/0fHi7qfs

Today I had the ultimate pleasure to chop it up with FDNY Retired Lt.JOE TORRILLO. Lt. Torillo got on the job in 1981. And was assigned to E10 out of probie school.  But before that, he was born and raised in Park Slope Brooklyn, the same neighborhood I grew up in. And attended the same high school, Bishop Ford.  At 16 he worked for the City Park Service. Eventually doing short stints in Corrections and Transit Authority before becoming a firefighter in 1981.  He transferred to L123 in 1996 and was soon promoted to Lieutenant. He covered in the 15th Division, 37 Battalion and worked in companies such as 310/174 257/170 323 & 253 engines. After a major injury to his hand he was assigned to the FDNY office of Fire Safety Education and soon became the director of the program. He would go on to co design the FIRE ZONE, a state of the art fire learning center located near Rockefeller center in NYC. Fisher Price toy company modeled a Rescue Hero Action Figure in Lt. Torrillo’s likeness,  named BILLY BLAZES. On the day he was scheduled to present this toy to the public, The World Trade Center was struck by a terrorist attack.  He responded to The WTC and was subsequently caught in the first collapse. After he was dug out and placed on a rescue boat the 2nd tower collapsed and dove into the engine room to avoid the debris. He was taken to a hospital in NJ with severe injuries to his head, neck and shoulder. Lt. Torrillo eventually retired from the FDNY and has become a key note speaker, detailing his story and many others. He also volunteers at the WTC museum giving tours. Thank you Joe for sharing your story with me at The Kitchen Table. #foryou #fire #firefighter #fyp #firefighters #fdny #brooklyn #brotherhood #firehouse #firedepartment #september11 #billyblazes #firezone #firesafety #firesafetyawareness #parkslope #giveback #keynotespeaker #joetorrillo #foryoupage #engine10 #ladder10 #fisherprice #rescueheroes Chapters:00:00 intro02:00 fire story04:30 fire safety ed unit14:00 fire zone20:30 tea award 21:37 fisher price rescue hero’s25:00 billy blazes28:30 9/111:03:00 Parkinson’s 1:07:50 heart issues1:14:00 family of medical professionals 1:15:00 engine 220 son1:20:00 scenario 1:23:30 tough fires1:26:40 engine or truck1:28:30 Manhattan Brooklyn difference 1:34:20 key note speaking1:46:00 picture time1:49:00 Guantanamo 1:54:40 outroLinks: Website https://joetorrillo.com/about.htmJoe’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Mtr3ycZHL/?mibextid=wwXIfrWTC Memorial https://share.google/pTRhGLNJtFWMEHiqvThe Fire Zonehttps://www.fdnysmart.org/firezone/Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/Gary Sinise Foundation https://garysinisefoundation.org/Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies.This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice.Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions.

Today’s guest on PART 2 of a 2 part episode is FDNY FF CHRIS EDWARDS E-81. Ret. FF Edward’s got on the FDNY in 1986 and was assigned to 46 Truck in the Bronx upon completion of probie school. He transferred to 42 Engine in 1990 and headed back to 81 Engine in 1995. Chris worked for many significant incidents while on the FDNY including the Washington Heights riots and FF line of duty deaths. He had 5 major knee surgeries and was fighting his way back to the job when 9/11 occurred. He responded to ground zero anyway and spent the next few weeks digging for his brothers. The FDNY eventually forced him to retire in May of 2002 due to major heart and other health issues directly related to 9/11. Chris also is a SAG actor and has appeared in many TV and Movie shows. In retirement Chris volunteers for The Tunnel To Towers foundation, The FDNY Dart Team and The Red Cross. Chris also has authored the book COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES, MY LIFE IN THE FDNY. Which can be found on Amazon, links below. He also recently appeared on the very popular Soft White Underbelly Podcast, where his episode has amassed almost 300,000 views.  His love and passion for the FDNY and brother firefighters is second to none, he wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in every word he speaks. It was an honor to chop it with FF CHRIS EDWARDS. Thank you and good luck the rest of the way brother. #fyp # FDNY #fire #firefighter #firefighters #foryou # chrisedwards #september11 #neverforget #9/11 #firedepartment #firehouse #firestation #bronx #tunneltotowers #comingthroughtheflames #foryourpage #podcast #thekitchentable #thekitchentable59 #engine81 #engine42 #ladder46 #brotherhood #giveback #interviewChapters:00:00 intro00:30 knee surgeries 15:40 9/1129:00 getting to ground zero34:00 hope53:18 after 9/1158:30 heart issues1:05:00 coming through the flames1:11:40 final thoughts and words1:14:00 outroLinks to Chris: https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZaumM9m9/?mibextid=wwXIfrCOMING THROUGH THE FLAMES Amazon:https://a.co/d/07ENRB6VTunnel to Towers:https://t2t.org/Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies.This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice.Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions.While we aim for accuracy, we make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of any content. Listeners should use their own judgment and seek qualified professional advice when needed.

Today’s guest on the first of this 2 part episode is FDNY FF CHRIS EDWARDS E-81. Ret. FF Edward’s got on the FDNY in 1986 and was assigned to 46 Truck in the Bronx upon completion of probie school. He transferred to 42 Engine in 1990 and headed back to 81 Engine in 1995. Chris worked for many significant incidents while on the FDNY including the Washington Heights riots and FF line of duty deaths. He had 5 major knee surgeries and was fighting his way back to the job when 9/11 occurred. He responded to ground zero anyway and spent the next few weeks digging for his brothers. The FDNY eventually forced him to retire in May of 2002 due to major heart and other health issues directly related to 9/11. Chris also is a SAG actor and has appeared in many TV and Movie shows. In retirement Chris volunteers for The Tunnel To Towers foundation, The FDNY Dart Team and The Red Cross. Chris also has authored the book COMING THROUGH THE FLAMES, MY LIFE IN THE FDNY. Which can be found on Amazon, links below. He also recently appeared on the very popular Soft White Underbelly Podcast, where his episode has amassed almost 300,000 views.  His love and passion for the FDNY and brother firefighters is second to none, he wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in every word he speaks. It was an honor to chop it with FF CHRIS EDWARDS. Thank you and good luck the rest of the way brother. #fyp # FDNY #fire #firefighter #firefighters #foryou # chrisedwards #september11 #neverforget #9/11 #firedepartment #firehouse #firestation #bronx #tunneltotowers #comingthroughtheflames #foryourpage #podcast #thekitchentable #thekitchentable59 #engine81 #engine42 #ladder46 #brotherhood #giveback #interview Chapters:00:00 intro02:20 early life09:50 becoming a father21:00 FDNY test26:50 46 truck31:10 Mikey 32:20 42 engine40:00 first fire 46:50 new segment “scenario”53:20 garage fire 59:30 shooting ifo firehouse1:08:00 the neighborhood1:20:50 81 engine1:32:20 acting1:48:00 9/11 to be continued 1:48:30 outroLinks to Chris:https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZaumM9m9/?mibextid=wwXIfrCOMING THROUGH THE FLAMES Amazon:https://a.co/d/07ENRB6VTunnel to Towers:https://t2t.org/Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies.This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice.Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions.While we aim for accuracy, we make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of any content. Listeners should use their own judgment and seek qualified professional advice when needed.

Today I had the pleasure of chatting with 40 plus year, award winning photojournalist TODD MAISEL. Todd has captured some of the most important events in New York City and many other locations since his college days at NYU.  He has worked for and contributed to many newspapers including Courier Life, The Torch, Town and Village and The NY Daily News for over 18 years. Just to name a few.  He also served as a breaking news editor for AM NEW YORK. He also holds and has held many titles for the NYPPA. New York Press Photographer Association such as Vice President, Govnt relations chairman, and Editor. He is also the founder of the New York Media Consortium. Some of his awards NYPPA Good Guy Award. NYPPA Humanitarian Award, Picture of the year, and UFA Award for his work on 9/11. He has photographed many incidents including the Golden Venture in the Rockaways, Mafia crime scenes and thousands of fires in New York City.  But no incident was as big as the September 11th attacks on the WTC. Todd was down at ground zero documenting and assisting throughout the entire day and days to follow. He was on the ground for both collapses where he narrowly escaped the falling towers. Todd also has travel to IRAQ and documented the war in 2003.  Today Todd has authored the book TO HELL AND BACK, which his photos and words re live the events on 9/11, through his photos and words.IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE BOOK GO TO THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION. Thank you Todd for always going above and beyond for the sake of your art and to document these events so the world Never Forgets.  All links to Todd and the book are below. #podcast #photography #photojournalism #pictures #art #fdny #firefighter #nyc #nydailynews #amnewyork #interview #fyp #foryou #foryourpage #newspaper #editor #tohellandback #visualstorytelling #september11 #groundzero #nypd #portauthority #fires #goldenventure #camera Chapters:00:00 intro00:30 early life03:30 nyu and transformer fire08:30 commitment to the art10:50 the golden venture13:50 early influences 15:40 mob hits 18:35 street smarts and FDNY friends20:20 sunset park 5th alarm22:00 Coney Island fire24:35 9/1143:35 to hell and back50:30 final thoughts54:00 outroLinks: https://www.toddmaiselvisualjour...https://www.instagram.com/todd.p...https://t2t.org/https://a.co/d/0cSFr0XmDisclaimer:Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, and contributors are their own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations, employers, departments, or agencies.This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional, legal, medical, financial, or other specialized advice.Guests are solely responsible for their statements. The podcast and its producers do not necessarily endorse guest opinions.While we aim for accuracy, we make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of any content. Listeners should use their own judgment and seek qualified professional advice when needed.