2022 marks the 110th anniversary of the Equitable Building Fire in New York City. On January 9, 2012, the Equitable Life Assurance Building located in Manhattan’s Financial District caught fire after a match was carelessly thrown into a trash can. Within minutes, almost the entire building was engulfed in fire. Outside, the wind was howling at nearly 40 miles per hour–with gusts of up to almost 70 miles per hour–making the already below freezing temperatures even colder. At the time, no other private business building housed a similar magnitude of monetary interests under its roof. Considered by some as the world’s first skyscraper, the building at 120 Broadway was completed in 1870. The tragic deaths and enormous property losses sustained at this disaster contributed to lasting changes to FDNY policies and procedures. Those familiar with this fire may know the logistics of this historic event, but in this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast, we aim to add to the historical narrative of the Equitable Building Fire through a human performance lens.
This conversation is made possible by the extensive research efforts of our guest in this episode, FDNY Lieutenant Matt Connor. Matt was appointed to the New York City Fire Department in 2005. He worked as a Firefighter in Engine Co. 222 and Ladder Co. 124, both in Brooklyn. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2020 and assigned to Battalion 37 in the 15th Division, again, in the borough of Brooklyn. He’s served in the FDNY Bureau of Training and contributes to the FDNY’s Mental Performance Initiative. Matt received a bachelor’s from the University of Delaware and is pursuing a master’s at the Graduate Center City University of New York where he is studying New York City history through the lens of urban firefighting.
Pursuing Purpose with Intellectual Curiosity with Tom Miller, FDNY
Reading and Leading with LUF's Chief Mentor Jim Roussell, USMC (Ret) & Chicago PD (Ret)
Learning and Leading with Lt Tom Daly, FDNY R-2 (Ret)
Train Them and Tell Them You Love Them with Lts Kendria Donaldson and Jessica Ziems, MFD
Revisiting a Historic Human Performance Episode of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Faith, Flying and Family with LtCol Pete “Salvo” Benning, USMC
Commanding Complex Fire Operations Under Pressure with BC Jeff Facinelli, FDNY
Mentorship and Tactical Coaching with Capt Mike Guli, FDNY
Grit, Growth, and Gratitude with Capt Tristan Tricarico, BCFD
Year in Review and Outlook for 2024 with Jason Brezler and Jim McNamara
An Alaskan Mission-Oriented Mindset with Chief John Beebe, CMSFD
Going the Distance with Lt Shane McKeon, FDNY
Leading and Managing Through Crisis with John Rabin, FEMA
The Influence of Education and Learning on Leadership and Performance with Captain Gabe Angemi, Camden NJ FD
Policing and Performance Under Pressure with Lt David Pawling, Barrington Police Department
Expanding Leadership Development to Meet Emerging Challenges with Jacob Dutton
Earning Longevity on the Fire Floor and Beyond with Firefighter James Lopez, FDNY R-2
Remembering FDNY Chief William “Bill” M. Feehan
Revisiting the LUF Series: Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano–Part II
Revisiting Mental Sweat with Mental Performance Coach Hannah Huesman
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall
The No-Frills Teacher Podcast
Heal, Survive & Thrive!
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast