Leadership Under Fire

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 enlist...

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 Acres. His passion for history, ...

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...

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 inaugural online book club, cre...

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 inaugural online book club, cre...

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 Southbridge...

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 automatic fire ...

Since its formal inception more than a decade ago, the LUF Team has championed professional reading as a cornerstone of leader development. LUF believes that a close study of history’s most accomplished, mission-oriented leaders reveals a common thread: a deep engagement with literature and disciplined professional reading.

In 2022, LUF launched its inaugural book club. Since then, LUF’s online book clubs have served as...

Lt Chris Horgan is a member of the FDNY, currently assigned to Ladder 20 in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. He is a 20-year veteran of the department and previously served with Engine 84 and Ladder 34 in Washington Heights.

In addition to his operational duties, Lt. Horgan has recently assumed a leadership role in the FDNY’s Mental Performance Initiative. He is a graduate of Villanova University a...

Mike Rudasill serves as a Battalion Chief with the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD), assigned to the 3rd Battalion in West Baltimore. He joined the ranks of the BCFD in 1998 and has served in a variety of operational and leadership roles throughout his career, including Firefighter with Rescue Company 1, Lieutenant with Truck Company 2, and Captain with Engine Company 8. He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2010.

Chief Rudasi...

Dr. Dillon Caswell is a Board Certified Sports Specialist Doctor of Physical Therapy, Human Performance Coach, and Top-Selling Author, who utilizes hope and modern neuroscience to replace the ‘nopes’ we face and empower desiring lifelong athletes to reclaim their birthright of healthy and athletic. With the strategy of Hope, Dr. Dillon Caswell has guided a range of beginners up to world-class athletes including former N...

Captain Will Jasper served in the Baltimore City Fire Department for 28 years, spending his career in some of the city’s busiest and most storied companies. He entered the Fire Academy on February 22, 1994, and upon graduation was assigned to Truck 14 in Northeast Baltimore. He soon transferred and spent the next seven years in some of Baltimore’s heaviest fire service companies, including Engine 52, Engine 8, and Engin...

We’re joined today by LtCol Gareth “Kip” Hughes. Kip is a Naval Aviator by trade and has also served in several key billets with ground combat units. After transitioning to the private sector ten years ago, he built a successful career in the hardware and software technology industry while continuing to serve in the Marine Reserves. He and his wife are raising five children, and he also serves as an elder in his c...