Sitting with me in the firehouse is Mike Charles, a longtime firefighter, NYPD Detective, private investigator, security consultant, and TV and film technical advisor. Mike has been a member of Hempstead Ladder Co. 2 since 1997, serving 10 years as an officer, including six years as Captain/Lieutenant and four years as Chief. He became Chief of Department in 2010 and remains active in the fire service today. Mike also served as an NYPD Detective 2nd Grade with the Manhattan Robbery Squad. His career has extended into television and film, where he has worked as a technical advisor on productions including The Thomas Crown Affair, Denis Leary’s The Job, and numerous other TV shows and movies. Through MCS Consultants, Mike has also worked in private investigations and security for 39 years and continues to work in the field.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Rodni Leftwich.

At just 21 years old, Rodni Leftwich has already dedicated two years to serving with the Glen Cove Fire Department. As a young member of the fire service, Rodni brings a strong commitment to his community and a genuine passion for serving others. His experience with the department has given him the opportunity to grow, learn, and become part of something bigger than himself. We’re excited to have Rodni share his experience and perspective on what it means to be part of the fire service.

Sitting With Me In the Firehouse is Chief Teddy Smith.

Teddy Smith has dedicated 44 years to the fire service as a fourth-generation Fire Chief, continuing a family legacy that dates back to the days of horse-drawn fire wagons. His great-uncle, Benjamin Carmen, was a founding member of Brookside Company 2 of the Uniondale Fire Department.

Throughout his career, Chief Smith has earned four Medals of Valor, numerous lifesaving and bravery awards, and was named Uniondale Firefighter of the Year twice. He has served as Chief of the Uniondale Fire Department three times, Captain of Truck 4 five times, Lieutenant eight times, Assistant Chief of the Roosevelt Fire Department, Captain of Truck 1 four times, Lieutenant of Truck 1 three times, and Chief Fire Training Instructor for the Uniondale Fire Department.

Outside the fire service, Chief Smith retired as Undersheriff of Nassau County after 32 years of service, is an Air Force veteran and Pararescueman, and is the proud father of three daughters. He also implemented the A, B, and C radio designation system for Uniondale in 1996, a system now adopted by many fire departments, served as Officer in Charge of the Presidential Debates in Uniondale, and helped build Uniondale Truck 4 alongside the truck committee.

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Firehouse!
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Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Captain Jack.

Captain Jack has dedicated more than 40 years to the fire and emergency services, beginning his journey at just 14 years old with the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Throughout his career, he served 28 years with the City of New York EMS, while also volunteering with the East Northport and Commack Fire Departments for over four decades combined. A third-generation firefighter, Jack carries on a proud family tradition of service and now serves alongside one of his sons in the same truck company. Known for his passion for the fire service, commitment to public education through Captain Jack's Fire Brigade, and his motto, "If it's wild, crazy, or unusual, I'm your huckleberry," Jack remains a lifelong advocate for firefighting, fire safety, and serving his community.

Sitting with me in The Firehouse is Scott Di Pino of The Dix Hills Fire Department.

Scott Di Pino (@scott_dipino) is a veteran paramedic and fire service officer with more than 30 years of experience in emergency medical services, fire operations, and public safety leadership across New York City and Long Island.

He began his career in EMS in 1995 as an EMT while volunteering with Fordham University EMS, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and met his wife, Kathleen. They have been married for 22 years. Kathleen is a retired Suffolk County Police Department officer and paramedic. They have three children.

Scott became a paramedic in 1999 and has served in multiple high-acuity systems, including New York City Fire Department EMS (1998–2004), where he responded during the events of September 11, 2001. He later joined the Nassau County Police Department as a Police Medic (2004–present), serving in the 5th Precinct, promoted to supervisor in 2009, and appointed Police Medic Coordinator in 2017.

He has been an active member of the Dix Hills Fire Department since 2005, serving in roles including Rescue Squad Officer, Fire Officer for CO1, and within the Chief’s Office from 2018 to 2024. In 2026, he was elected to the Dix Hills Board of Fire Commissioners.
Scott is also a member of the Suffolk County USAR Team as a Medical Specialist, serves as Secretary of the Town Chief’s Council, and represents the 2nd Division on the FRES Commission. He is an active member of both Suffolk and Nassau County REMAC and provides per-diem paramedic coverage to several fire districts, including New Hyde Park, Hicksville, East Farmingdale, and Greenlawn.

Throughout his career, Scott has received numerous awards and honors, including Nassau County Paramedic of the Year (2013), Suffolk County Paramedic of the Year (2022), and the Bronze Medal of Valor (2019) for actions during a structure fire on Park Avenue in Hicksville. He has delivered more than 50 babies in the field and remains active in training, mentorship, and operational leadership within the emergency services community.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Matt Judge. Matt Judge has been a dedicated member of the Great River Fire Department for many years, proudly serving his community with professionalism, commitment, and a strong sense of duty. Throughout his time in the fire service, Matt has remained passionate about protecting others and helping ensure the department continues to grow and succeed.

A firm believer in the importance of training and preparedness, Matt enjoys continually developing his skills and working alongside his fellow firefighters to provide the highest level of service possible. He takes great pride in being part of the fire service and values the camaraderie, teamwork, and traditions that come with it.

Whether responding to emergencies, participating in training exercises, or supporting department initiatives, Matt is committed to doing what is best for the department and the community it serves. His dedication, work ethic, and passion for the fire service make him a respected member of the Great River Fire Department.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Chief Eric W. Becker, a 48-year member of East Meadow Engine Company 2 and a second-generation firefighter who proudly followed in the footsteps of his father, Ex-Captain George Becker. Throughout his distinguished fire service career, Eric rose through the ranks of company leadership, serving as Company Captain in 1994 before being elected Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department in 1999. He made department history as only the third Chief to be elected to two terms and remains the first and only member to serve three terms as Chief, totaling 12 years in the department’s highest leadership position.

Chief Becker has been a driving force behind firefighter training and safety, serving on the department's Training Committee and helping implement personal bailout safety systems for all members. He was awarded the Nassau County Fire Commission Meritorious Award for the successful rescue of a victim from a house fire in 1991.

Outside the fire service, Eric retired as a Detective First Grade with the elite New York City Police Department Emergency Service Unit, serving 21 years with the NYPD. He also served with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, deploying to major incidents including Puerto Rico in the early 1990s, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the September 11 attacks. He later helped train future ESU members as an instructor at Floyd Bennett Field.

For more than 20 years, Chief Becker has also served as a Second Deputy Chief Instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy, helping educate generations of volunteer firefighters. Today, he remains an active member and head chauffeur of Engine Company 2, continuing to lead by example and consistently ranking among the department’s most active responders.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Mike Nelson, a paramedic, former airline pilot, flight instructor, and founder of Ladder Suite, a modern software platform built specifically for first responders. Mike’s career in emergency services began in volunteer EMS, where seeing the direct impact of helping people inspired him to pursue the field professionally. He earned his EMT certification, advanced to EMT-CC, and ultimately became a paramedic, serving both professionally and as a volunteer medic with his local fire department.

Alongside his EMS career, Mike also built a successful career in aviation, flying the CRJ-700 for American Eagle while working as a flight instructor. After starting a family, he made the decision to step away from airline flying to be more present at home and return to EMS full time. A father of two, Mike credits parenthood — especially raising his autistic son Logan, who has high support needs — with reshaping how he views time, stress, service, and balance.

A lifelong passion for technology and coding eventually led Mike to create Ladder Suite, combining his firsthand experience in emergency services with software development. What began as a real-time situational awareness app has grown into a full suite of tools supporting firefighters, medics, and agencies nationwide with dispatching, reporting, and operational support. Today, Ladder Suite continues to grow as a mission-driven platform staffed by firefighters, medics, and military veterans — all focused on helping first responders work safer, faster, and better informed.