Episode 344: The Best of The Bravest: Joel Kanasky (Volume 63)

·1 hr 43 min·5 clips

Joel Kanasky, whose quote in 'Still Riding' defined Rescue One, reveals how an eight-year-old's documentary sparked his FDNY dream.

This episode is an interview with retired FDNY firefighter Joel Kanasky, conducted by host Mike Colón. Kanasky's career spanned multiple fire services, beginning with volunteer work in Suffern, New York, influenced by his older brothers. He then served as a crash rescue fireman in the Marine Corps, stationed with the presidential helicopter unit HMX-1. After the military, he spent nine years with the Alexandria Fire Department in Virginia, where he was promoted to lieutenant and worked on technical rescues. In 1994, he joined the FDNY, starting in 17 Truck in the South Bronx during the mid-90s. In 1998, he transferred to Rescue 1 in Manhattan, where he spent 16 years until retiring in 2014. He describes the unique culture and high call volume of Rescue 1, which handled everything from fires to complex technical rescues like dive operations and building collapses. Kanasky discusses working under notable officers like Captain Terry Hatton and Lieutenant Dennis Mojica, who were known for their calm under pressure. He shares anecdotes about iconic Rescue 1 members like Joe Angelini, Dave Weiss, and Billy Henry. The conversation touches on the media attention surrounding Rescue 1, including the documentary 'Still Riding.' Kanasky also addresses the impact of 9/11 on the company, which lost 11 members, and the challenging period of rebuilding under Captain Rex Morris. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of camaraderie, continuous training, and acknowledging fear as a professional tool.

As heard by us

A grounded FDNY rescue conversation that stays close to the work and the experience behind it.

Mike Cologne's Volume 63 of Best of the Bravest keeps its focus on retired FDNY firefighter Joel Kanasky and on the Rescue One, Rescue Two, and technical calls that shaped his career.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get an FDNY rescue-company interview with Joel Kanasky that digs into Rescue One, Rescue Two, and the calls that defined the job.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Mic’d In New Haven