The Kitchen Table

The Kitchen Table is officially International! Today I had the honor to chop it up with DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE Active Firefighter and Poet, GERARD DEVINE. FF Devine was born and raised in Dublin Ireland and has over 20 years on the DFB. Gerard has 10 years in Station 5, 3 years in the control room and split the remaining time in station 4 and station 12. He is also a full paramedic which is required by DFB for all firefighters. Not only is FF Devine a fireman he is an award winning poet. After overcoming the learning disorder dyslexia, he has gone on to write many poems which one of them entitled “The Hurley Maker” was read in front of 80,000 people and is going into the GALIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GAA, museum. Another entitled “The Firefighters Call” is being used in brigades for ceremonies and funerals all across Ireland and hopefully soon to be international. Most recently his poetry has been picked up by 2 STACKS IRISH WHISKEY company, who share his poems by engraving them on their bottles. Noted: A large percentage of what Gerard receives from his poetry is donated to the Fire Brigade Charity OSCARS KIDS, which treats children with terminal cancer. FF Devine is also very involved in the GAA as were his parents. It is my honor to welcome to the Kitchen Table, all the way from Dublin Ireland, GERARD DEVINE.#foryou #foryoupage #fyp #fire #firefighter #fireman #paramedic #dublinfirebrigade #dfb #ireland #dublin #irishfirefighter #galicathleticassociation #gaa #firestation #firehouse #ambulance #podcast #thekitchentable59 #thekitchentable #firestories #poetry #poem #poems #gerarddevinepoetry #gerarddevine #thefirefighterscall #thehurleymaker #thequarryman #fdny #irelandfireman #irishfirefighter #2stacksirishwhiskey #interview #oscarskids #dyslexiaChapters:00:00 intro03:00 small talk04:20 early life12:20 ff influences and the process17:15 hurling20:14 coming to America & galic football24:50 DFB & ambulance 28:00 poetry time 31:00 “ Self Belief”33:30 dyslexia 36:00 1st poetry performance 45:00 first fire49:00 comparing departments and operations 51:30 DFB history53:00 great Dublin whiskey fire57:00 “The Great Dublin Whiskey Fire”1:01:00 e bikes1:04:10 pipe band1:07:23 culture and Irish craic 1:12:30 poetry and more1:19:50 fire prevention and Dublin water supply1:23:33 the Dublin stardust fire1:28:00 “The Firefighters Call”1:40:20 picture time1:52:30 final advice1:56:00 outroLinks:https://www.instagram.com/gerard...https://oscarskids.ie/https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/about...https://twostackswhiskey.com/https://www.instagram.com/dubfir...https://www.gerarddevinepoetry.c.

Today I had the honor and privilege to chop it up with long time ACTOR ROBERT BURKE. Robert has been an Actor for over 35 years. He is a first generation American, son of IRISH immigrant parents, from County Galway. Robert attended SUNY Purchase for acting and has been in numerous films and TV shows over his timeless career. Films such as Tombstone, Robocop 3, Stephen Kings Thinner and Black Panther Wakanda Forever. Recurring characters on TV shows such as Rescue Me as Mickey Gavin, Bart Bass on Gossip Girl, and Ed Tucker on the long running series Law and Order SVU. Just to name a few, the list goes on and on, his acting career has truly stood the test of time with no end in sight. Robert also became a Volunteer Firefighter in OCEAN BEACH LONG ISLAND NY FD, being inspired by the loss of his best friend, the legendary FDNY Captain PATRICK BROWN L3, In the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the WTC. He now has over 24 years serving his community of OCEAN BEACH and has risen to the rank of Captain. Capt. Burke has also given back to the fire and first responder service by being extremely involved in the LEARY FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATION, FDNY FOUNDATION, JOE DIBERNARDO FOUNDATION and VETHACK. He has truly gained a passion for the fire service and his humility and work ethic are something every new firefighter should emulate themselves after. Thank you Bobby for your service to the community and entertaining movie and television fans for almost 4 decades and Thank you for chopping it up with me at The Kitchen Table. All links to foundations below.#foryou #fyp #foryoupage #fire #firefighter #actor #actors #robertburke #tombstone #robocop3 #thinner #rescueme #gossipgirl #lawandordersvu #learyfirefighters #firedepartment #firehouse #firestation #oceanbeach #oceanbeachfd #volunteer #volley #bobbyburke #podcast #interview #firestories #firetime #longisland #fireislandChapters:00:00 intro02:00 early life10:50 suny purchase16:00 Hollywood and 1st film22:00 safety on set22:27 Tombstone 35:00 time in scene, corporate 42:00 Irish Brogue45:00 Rescue Me53:15 Patty Brown1:09:30 Ocean Beach VFD1:14:50 First Fire1:20:00 recent fire1:23:15 training and calls1:26:00 water supplies to the island1:30:10 volley house podcast1:31:15 recruitment problems1:39:00 picture time1:43:00 Leary and debernardo foundations1:47:47 Final Advice1:53:00 Kobe’s1:55:00 More final words1:59:00 outroLinks: https://joeydfoundation.org/https://learyfirefighters.org/https://www.fdnyfoundation.org/https://www.vethack.org/Ocean Beach FD:https://villageofoceanbeach.org/ocean-beach-fire-departmentVolleyHouse Podcast: https://youtube.com/@vollyhousepodcast?si=qsbAiHQ8HzctpWZBFollow Robert Burke:https://www.instagram.com/bobby1960?igsh=MWo2dmNiZzNudjR2MA==

Today I had the honor of chatting with EILEEN BELLEW, Author of AFTER JOHN JUMPED. The True Story Of A Family’s Rise From The Ashes. Eileen Bellew is the widow of FDNY FF JOHN BELLEW L27. JOHN and 5 other FF’s Had to make an unthinkable decision of jumping out a 4th floor window, fighting a tenament fire in the Bronx NY, on January 23rd 2005, known as BLACK SUNDAY. 3 Firefighters survived with life long injuries. 3 Firefighters succumbed to their injuries. Lt. Curt Meyran And FF John Bellew died on the day and FF Joe Dibernardo passed from his injuries a few short years later. Not to be forgotten, FF Rich Scalfani, died from his injuries sustained fighting a house fire, in Brooklyn on the same day. This hasn’t happened on the FDNY since 1918. The media dubbed 1/23/2005 BLACK SUNDAY. The sacrifices those men made will never be forgotten, and forever changed the FDNY. This is EILEEN BELLEWS story. AFTER JOHN JUMPED is the her story of raising 4 children, while dealing with the aftermath of that terrible day. PTSD, anxiety, fear are just a few things she talks about in her book. So often we focus on the Fire Fighters that have lost their lives and the ones closely affected by such a tragedy. But all too often we forget, as time goes by, the families that must deal with loss and life thereafter. AFTER JOHN JUMPED, shows not only that other people, who’ve had to deal with tragic loss are not alone in their struggles, but gives enormous insight to those who haven’t. This book can and will help to heal others going through similar situations, and gives insight to those on the outside looking in. It shows that there is life after trauma, and lets people know they are not alone in their struggles. I truly cannot thank EILEEN enough for sharing her and her families story. AFTER JOHN JUMPED can be found on Amazon and EILLEN’s website below. Follow the link, buy the book and share it with everyone you know.#eileenbellew #johnbellew #blacksunday #fdny #firefighter #fire #foryou #foryoupage #fyp #foryourpage #firehouse #firestation #thekitchentable59 #thekitchentable #podcast #firedepartment #trauma #afterjohnjumped #trialbyfire #traumahealing #traumarecovery #ptsd #anxiety #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #firemanLinks: https://eileenbellew.com/https://johnbellew.com/pages/abo...https://www.amazon.com/After-Joh...

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Retired FDNY LT. TIM KLETT. Tim got on the FDNY in 1990 after being a volunteer in Newington, CT and then a paid Fireman in New Britain, CT. Tim was assigned to 47 Engine out of Probie school. He transferred to 69 Engine in 1992. He then was promoted to Lt. in 2003 and Was assigned to Engineer 88. He was also a Montgomery Volley from 2003-2021. Tim has also been an Engine Operations Instructor since 1996, where he travels the country teaching hands on Fire Matic courses. Tim worked on the 9/11 Madison Square Garden memorial service. And was on an 8 man committee that re wrote the FDNY engine operations manual. He was also in the FDNY Engine tactical training group. Tim worked in very busy fire houses both as a fireman and Lt. But he earned the nickname “ The Wizard of Water” while up in 88 Engine. Hear that story and many more on this episode. Thank you again Lt. KLETT for choppin’ it up with me on The Kitchen Table.#foryou #fyp #foryoupage #firefighter #fire #firehouse #fdny #podcast #thekitchentable59 #thekitchentable #timklett #engine47 #engine69 #harlem #harlemhilton #firetraining #water #engine88 #firedepartment #newbritain #newingtonFor full video experience log onto and subscribe to YouTube@TheKitchenTable59Tims info for his Fire Instructor classeseng88tk@gmail.com

Today I had the pleasure of choppin’ it up with a true gentleman of the FDNY. Firefighter TONY BONFIGLIO. FF BONFIGLIO got on the job in 1983 and was assigned to one of the busiest truck companies in Manhattan. Ladder 34. Ladder 34 is a Tiller Truck and is in Washington Heights. They are housed with 84 Engine. Tony caught many fires in his 15 years in 34 truck. Including working during the infamous 1992 Washington Heights riots. Eventually Tony transferred to L173 in Howard Beach Queens, where he would deal with the toughest incidents of his career. The line of duty death of Captain Vincent Fowler in 1999 and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Tony finally retired in 2004 and Through it all, he has kept his story telling and sense of humor intact. So much so that he was encouraged to write a book about his time on the FDNY. This is where TALES FROM THE TILLER was born. Tony tells about his experiences on the job and leaves his legacy for a lifetime to come. His stories and writing ability, will not let you put his book down and before you know, you turn the last page, leaving you wanting more. Tony also was a guest on the extremely popular THEO VON PODCAST. Thank you Tony for sitting at my Kitchen Table and sharing your story. All links to TALES FROM THE TILLER below. You can buy Tales from the Tiller at:tonybonfiglio.com. Or Amazon check out Tony on instagram@tonybonfiglio34For full video experience log on and subscribe to YouTube@TheKitchenTable59

Today I had the pleasure of sitting and choppin’ it up with Retired FDNY Lt. Jim “Big Mac” McCluskey. Lt. McCluskey became a Sandhog with Local 147 union, directly upon graduation of High School, in 1972. He worked in many of the water and train tunnels around the city of New York. He was appointed to the FDNY in 1981. He was assigned to Engine 45 out of probie school. Transferred to Ladder 58 in 1983. And onto Rescue 4 in 1992. He was promoted to Lt. in 1995 where he was assigned to Ladder 30. He worked 14 years in the Harlem Zoo until retirement in 2009. 28 total years on the FDNY. Also a Sandhog simultaneously in the years on the FDNY. Lt. McCluskey has been recognized for his service numerous times over his career with a number of unit citations and medals. Thanks again to The Angel of Harlem, for visiting The Kitchen Table. For Full video experience log onto Youtube@TheKitchenTable59

Today I had the honor of sitting with the founder and CEO of RELIANT FITNESS, BRAD DUNN. Brad started his online Fitness/Buisness/Mentorship and Life program, while he was a CALFIRE Fireman, in Southern California. Brad worked in CALFIRE, at Station 15 and 30, among others. He fought numerous Wildfires, structure fires and ran Medical calls. After turning his life around by finding sobriety, He started his online coaching business, RELIANT FITNESS. His background in health and fitness was a great base to get his business off the ground. In just a few short years Brad has built RELIANT FITNESS, into a power house company, where he has over 700,000 followers on instagram, and has hundreds of clients at any given time. Brad has helped hundreds, if not thousands of clients, turn their lives around, by getting in shape, getting sober, building their businesses and overall become better human beings. His relatability, knowledge and transparency, make him one of the best and most sought after coaches out there today. If you are someone on the fence about getting on a program, I highly suggest looking into RELIANT FITNESS. Thank You Brad for taking the time out and chopping it up with me on The Kitchen Table!You can find BRAD DUNN and RELIANT FITNESS on instagram@reliant.fitnessFor full video experience go to YouTube@thekitchentable59

Today I had the honor of talking with Retired FDNY Battalion Commander, of the 9th Battalion in Midtown Manhattan. Chief Charlie Williams. Chief Williams experience is second to none. He started his career in 1973 in L110 and worked 35 years. Working in some of the great companies along the way. Rescue 2 and Squad 41 to name a couple. He’s been Through the War Years of a gritty NYC, was laid off by the FDNY for a year and a half, worked the blackouts and 9/11, Chief Williams has seen it all. He has worked alongside some of the greats of the FDNY. Patty Brown and Ray Downey to name a few. His name should be spoken in the same breath as those legends. I felt his story needed to get on record, to pass along to a new generation of firefighters. All firemen can learn from his experience and stories. I hope you enjoy the interview. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Channel. hope you enjoy the interview. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Channel. A list of Chief Williams career is to follow. Appointment to FDNY 11/73L110-1974L28 -1978Rescue 2-1982 Promoted to LT. 1987L-30-1988Squad 41-1990L-156-1991L-166-1992 Promoted to Capt. 1993E-283-1993 Promoted to BC 1999Battalion 9 1999-2008. Goldenkranz Medal 1979 L-28 McElligot Medal 1987 R-2

Today I sat with a true legend of the FDNY. Retired FIREMAN out of L-30 The Harlem Zoo, KEITH “Nic” NICOLIELLO. I had the pleasure of working with Nic for 17 years while I was assigned to 59 Engine. Nic’s experience and work ethic are second to none. His tough demeanor on junior guys, is to train them and keep up the traditions of the job and to be the best Fireman they can be. From his street, drills to the fire floor, he commanded respect whenever he was around. If he was talking, you were listening. Nic started in the Belleville NJFD Aux, at the age of 17. He was hired by the North Bergen FD in 1977, where he was assigned to E-4, until 1980. He was hired by the FDNY in 1980, and assigned to E-3 out of Proby school. He transferred to E-59, The Harlem Zoo, in 1981, where he worked until 1983, he then transferred across the floor to L-30, and worked there up until his retirement in 2020. Nic truly is one of a kind, to know him and learn from him was a pleasure. When I was a welder in the navy, I was once told by a 1st class petty officer, that you only meet a couple of people in a lifetime, who are that good at their craft. Keith is one of those guys. I hope you guys enjoy this interview. I know I did!For full video experience log onto YouTube@TheKitchenTable59

Today I talked with my good friend from the Harlem Zoo. Career Fireman Collin Hanlon. Collin started his career being a volunteer/live in bunker for his hometown, the city of Dunkirk NY, from 1996-2003.He joined the US NAVY and was a flight deck crewman on the USS John C Stennis, from 1997-2001.He joined the FDNY and was assigned to E-59, The Harlem Zoo, in 2004 and later on transferred across the floor to L-30, in 2016. He retired from the FDNY in June of 2021 and moved to the city of Whitehouse Tennessee. Where, he eventually was hired by the 21 man, paid department, of the Whitehouse TNFD. Collin is also part time, live burn instructor, at the Fire Department Training Network FDTN. He also is on the peer support team, where he is available to firemen in need of mental health support. Collin is also a senior instructor for Tomahawk Strategic Solutions since 2014. A company owned and operated by tier one operators training first responders in the event of active shooters and many other incident response scenarios. And is a Fire Safety Specialist at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort in Nashville TNFor full video experience log on to YouTube@TheKitchenTable59

Today I had the pleasure of chopping it up with Ben Wallick. Ben joined the Navy in 2001 and was in boot camp during 9/11. He went through BUDS SEAL Training class 242. Upon completion of BUDS, he was assigned to SEAL TEAM 2, where he earned the nickname, Vanilla Gorilla. He served as Lead Breacher and Team Leader. Ben served 3 combat tours in Iraq while on Team 2. He detached from Team 2 in 2009 where he spent his last year on active duty at, Naval Special Warfare Training Detachment assault cell, teaching all East Coast Seal Teams, CQC tactics. Ben was active for 10 years and after leaving active duty spent 2 years in the SEAL Reserve unit for 2 years, SEAL TEAM 18. Since leaving the SEAL Teams, Ben was an active PEORIA ILLINOIS FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC for close to 10 years, where he worked in various Engine companies in the city of Peoria. While in the fire academy, Ben set the record for the combat challenge, beating his own brothers time. Ben has also worked various overseas contract agencies. He was a GRS agent in high risk details, providing personal security for CIA field agents in combat environments in the Middle East. He worked overseas as an APASS operator, aboard container vessels, in international waters, in high threat areas conducting anti piracy operations. He started his security company, VANILLA GORILLA SECURITY, a few years ago, and trains local ILLINOIS SWAT Teams CQC. He also trains civilians in firearms and house clearance scenarios. Ben is a gentleman and all around good dude and great family man.Everything he does has been to provide for his family, to keep them happy, healthy and safe. And he has done an excellent job doing just that!It was great to catch up with BEN, We had a lot of laughs during the interview and I think you will too. I recommend the corkscrew story. You will not be disappointed. We could have shared stories for hours, so maybe another time. Thank you BEN for choppin’ it up on The Kitchen Table and thank you for your service! 🫡For full video experience log onto YouTube@TheKitchenTable59

Today I sat with FDNY L-30 FF BRIAN QUINN. FF Quinn made a very rare high rise roof rope rescue of a woman on the 15th floor, of a high rise building in HARLEM NY. For his heroic and extremely dangerous act, FF QUINN received the 2nd highest medal on the FDNY. The Walter Scott Medal. Listen as he discusses the events of that day. For full video experience log onto Youtube@TheKitchenTable59

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with veteran FDNY Firefighter from Hazmat E-44. JASON POWELL. Jason was also assigned to E-69 and L-28, The HARLEM HILTON in the 16th Battalion. FF Powell is also a published Author of several short stories and most recently the novel NO MAN’S GHOST. A story about a probationary fireman assigned to a busy Harlem co. Where he adjusts to being the new guy, balancing the firehouse and his personal life. Until one day they are forced to fight a multiple alarm apartment fire and they are forced to realize the dangers of the job and the brotherhood that comes along with after tragic events. In Part 1, we talk Jason’s early life and fire dept. In Part 2, we talk more about his passion for writing and the release of NO MAN’S GHOST. For full video experience log onto YouTube@TheKitchenTable59