HC0023 - John Norman - FDNY - Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret)

Jake sits down with Chief John Norman, a veteran firefighter with over 50 years of experience, including 27 years with the FDNY. Chief Norman, a former Deputy Assistant Chief of Special Operations Command, played a crucial role in the response and recovery efforts after 9/11. He shares his journey from growing up in a firefighter family to serving in FDNY Special Operations, offering invaluable insights into leadership, tactics, and the evolution of fire service operations.Expect to hear gripping stories, career-changing lessons, and reflections on the fire service’s past, present, and future.Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics – Buy Here: www.chiefnorman.comFire Department Special Operations – Learn More: www.chiefnorman.comWorking with Giants – Memoir & Lessons from the Fire Service: www.chiefnorman.comFollow Chief John Norman:Website: www.chiefnorman.comInstagram: @chiefnormanfdnyKey Episode Timestamps & Topics:Introduction (0:00 - 3:54)- Welcome to the Hazard Class Podcast.- Introduction to Chief John Norman.- Overview of his distinguished career.The Wheel of Stupid Questions (3:54 - 4:22)- Chief Norman shares a surprising movie favorite: Secondhand Lions.Early Fire Service Influences (4:22 - 5:19)- Growing up in a firehouse environment.- The impact of WWII veteran firefighters on his career choice.Firefighting as a Family Tradition (5:23 - 8:40)- Chief Norman’s family involvement in fire and police services.- His brother’s harrowing 9/11 survival story.First Fire Experiences (8:40 - 10:41)- Recalling his first-ever fire at six years old.- Chasing fires on his bicycle as a young boy.His First Official Fire Call (10:41 - 15:32)- A dramatic house fire involving rescues, firefighter injuries, and valuable lessons learned.- Key takeaway: Never trust only your eyes in a search—always verify with feel.The Evolution of Fire Tactics (15:33 - 17:42)- The transition from old-school firefighting methods to modern SCBA use.- Resistance to new safety technology among veteran firefighters.Joining FDNY & the Academy Experience (17:43 - 19:00)- The long waiting process before finally joining FDNY in 1979.First FDNY Assignment: The Busiest Engine in the City (19:59 - 22:43)- Unexpected assignment to Engine 290, one of NYC’s busiest units.Transitioning to Special Operations (22:44 - 26:02)- How mentorship and networking shaped his move to Rescue Companies.Climbing the Ranks: From Firefighter to Chief (26:02 - 32:30)- Why he initially hesitated to take the Battalion Chief exam.- The importance of strong leadership at all levels of the fire service.9/11: A Career-Defining Event (32:30 - 36:47)- Chief Norman’s role in search and rescue at Ground Zero.- How FDNY leadership was rebuilt after losing key figures.- The overwhelming fires and water supply challenges in Lower Manhattan.Structural Collapse and Fire Command Decisions (36:47 - 42:13)- The decision to pull out of WTC 7 before its collapse.- How FDNY managed citywide operations despite major losses.Lessons from a Lifetime in Firefighting (46:07 - 46:46)- "Enjoy every second of it—at some point, you won’t be doing it anymore."