FMBA Nation

In this episode, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with FMBA Local 228 President Frank Noborine and Vice President Abdur Yasin about vaccine mandates, layoffs, contract negotiations and some other happenings in their Local. If you would like to feature your local on a podcast episode, please email nation@njfmba.org.

FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, sat down with Dave Russell, owner of Fire and Safety Services, and discusses the supply chain management and procurement issues that the fire service is currently facing. Dave's insight and knowledge is very valuable to any department that is currently looking to purchase new fire apparatus.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower speaks with PFRSNJ Trustee, Matt Lubin, about the DCRP - Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, and how it affects the Tier 2 and Tier 3 members of the PFRSNJ. For anyone that has 14 years or less in the PFRSNJ, this is a must listen to episode to educate you on the DCRP enrollment, contribution rates, salary limit, and more.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Donna Buscio and Dr. Garcia about the 20th Anniversary of the Gift From Captain Buscio program. The program has provided so many first responders in NJ with exceptional care and so many lives have been saved as a result of the comprehensive physical exam. All current and retired firefighters, police, and emergency responders, and their officers are invited to participate in the program throughout the State of New Jersey. They will then have opportunity to receive confidential com­prehensive cardiovascular and pulmonary medical evalua­tions.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with the 126th NJ FMBA September Convention keynote speaker Lt. Col. Robert Darling, USMC (Ret.), about his incredible story of adversity and crisis management as he spent 24 hours inside the the POTUS' White House Bunker on 9-11-01. Lt. Col. Darling was the White House Airlift Operations Officer who, during the attack on America on 9/11/01, responded to the underground White House Bunker Complex and stood shoulder to shoulder with America’s highest leaders as they made unprecedented crisis leadership decisions on behalf of all Americans.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower, sits with Rob Garrison, Legal Counsel for the PFRSNJ, and talks about federal student loan forgiveness for public service employees. Rob runs through the steps you need to take to see if you qualify, and how to convert your current older federal loans to direct loans for the discharge. The deadline to convert the loans is October 31st, 2022 and you can find out if you are eligible for the program by visiting www.studentaid.gov

Ever wonder what it takes to start a 501(c)3 Foundation? Look no further! In this episdoe, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Karen Taylor-Burke from PKF O'Connor Davies and NJ FMBA Treasurer Troy Powell on how to get started and the benefits of starting a foundation for your local.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Attorney Joe Burke about dependency claims. Joe is a retired Captain from Montclair FMBA Local 20 who is now a practicing attorney at law who focuses on worker's compensations claims. Joe discusses how the Thomas Canzanella Act and dependency claims work and how a member's family can use the dependency claim to help with financial hardships.

In this episode, FMBA nation host Bill Brower talks with Cherie Castellano about the NJ Fire/EMS Lifeline which has been established to provide mental health support and services to NJ first responders and their families. If you or someone you know needs help please call the lifeline at 888-653-3367 or go to www.njfireems.com for more information on how to get assistance.

In Episode 51, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with nuclear physicist, Dr. Graham Peaslee, from the University of Notre Dame, about the forever chemicals known as PFAS that has been contaminating firefighters for years. These chemicals have been linked to cancer and have been found in the turnout gear that is worn everyday by firefighters as well as the foam that is used for chemical and flammable liquid fires for years. This is a must listen episode in battling the cancer epidemic of the fire service.

In the 50th episode of FMBA Nation, host Bill Brower chats with the keynote speaker from the 125th NJ FMBA Convention, Katie McKenna. Katie is the author of "How to get run over by a truck" and tells Bill about her journey and how she faced true adversity and determination to survive.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with U.S. Congresswoman Mikie Sherril (NJ 11th District), about the SALT (State and Local Tax) Deduction Cap. They discuss how it affects NJ First Responders as well as middle class families in NJ.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with the boys from Flow and Vent at the 125th Annual NJ FMBA Convention. Rob and Kyle tell Bill about their success on Instagram and their dedication to training and education within the fire service. Both Rob and Kyle are members of the NJ FMBA and plan to get involved with more training education with FMBA Nation.

In this episode, FMBA Nation Host, Bill Brower, talks with Captain Bob Falzarano from the Union Fire Department about his personal struggles with PTSD and other mental health challenges. Bob opens up and tells FMBA nation how he was close to taking his own life and how he took the steps he needed to get help. For anyone that is in need of help for mental health, substance abuse, or just needs someone to talk to, please reach out to our Mental Health/Peer Assistance Team. Dr. Michael Bizzarro 732-771-7165 Dr. Julie Tropeano 732-977-3819 Tyrone Smith 973-573-9694 Ken Burkert 908-346-1691 CISM Team Coordinator Troy Powell 973-868-0527

In this episode, FMBA Nation Host Bill Brower talks with Marc Junkerman about his mental health program "Planning to Thrive". Planning to Thrive (P2T) introduces adaptable management concepts intended to assist you in implementing and maintaining a successful culture of first responder wellness. The blueprint is yours. These are just a few "extra tools for your box" to help you with the build. Marc "Junk" Junkerman is an active law enforcement commander in Maryland with nearly three decades of service which includes nearly two decades advocating for first responder safety and wellness. He continues to provide regular consultation and instructional support in this arena to various agencies within his state in addition to serving as a Mental Health First Aid instructor and as an International Critical Incident Stress Foundation faculty member.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Dr. Michael Bizzaro, Iris Perlstein, and Lindsay Pliner from Penn Medicine Princeton Behavioral Health to discuss the new virtual support group to launch in early May.

FMBA Nation Host Bill Brower talks with FMBA Local 309 Member Michael Barrett about the heroic off-duty actions he took that saved multiple lives when he noticed a fire in a multi-family dwelling. On the night of February 11th, 2021, Mike was a a red light and noticed a fire had broken out in an apartment building in Elizabeth, NJ. He immediately took action by entering the structure and alerting multiple sleeping occupants that they needed to evacuate. Mike noticed a victim in the building was disoriented and was able to bring him to safety outside of the building. Mike's actions are commended by the entire NJ FMBA and we are proud to have him as a member and his selfless actions taken that night.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with (ret.) DC Anthony Avillo about the attack line entry checklist. Chief Avillo reviews some of the critical fundamentals that firefighters and fire officers need to follow in order to ensure smooth fire attack operations.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower, talks with NJ FMBA Chief Counsel Craig S. Gumpel and Tom Cushane, from Cushane Law Firm, about the impact of recreational marijuana and collective bargaining for public safety labor unions.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower, talks with NJ FMBA Chief Counsel Craig S. Gumpel and Tom Cushane, from Cushane Law Firm, about the impact of recreational marijuana and collective bargaining for public safety labor unions.