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.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Robert Burke, an accomplished actor and dedicated volunteer firefighter best known for portraying RoboCop in RoboCop 3. Over the years, Robert has built an impressive career across film and television, appearing in projects such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, and Rescue Me, where he portrayed Father Mickey Gavin alongside Denis Leary in one of the show’s most memorable recurring roles.

Beyond Hollywood, Robert has remained deeply committed to public service through his work as a volunteer firefighter for the Ocean Beach Fire Department , continuing to serve his community with the same dedication, professionalism, and passion that have defined both his acting career and his life outside the spotlight.

Sitting with us in The Firehouse is the cast of Johnny Mac. The movie follows John "Johnny Mac" McNamara, an FDNY firefighter who was a first responder on 9/11. After being diagnosed with cancer linked to toxins at Ground Zero, he fought to raise awareness about the plight of fellow first responders before his death.

Johnny Mac follows the life of an unsung hero and FDNY Firefighter, John McNamara. John was the quintessential best friend, a loving husband, and a devoted firefighter. He was a first responder on 9/11 and spent 500 plus hours at Ground Zero clearing the rubble. He was eventually diagnosed with stage four cancer and was among the first to link his cancer with the toxins he was exposed to at Ground Zero. Before his death, he fought tirelessly to bring awareness to the plight of his fellow first responders.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Jean-Baptiste Carelus. Jean-Baptiste Carelus has built his life around service, leadership, and showing up for his community when it matters most. Whether in his professional career or inside the firehouse, his hard work and dedication speak for themselves.

He currently serves as a Senior Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO) Analyst with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Capital Markets and Investment Analysis Office, where his discipline, focus, and problem-solving skills help guide critical financial analysis.

But those who truly know Jean-Baptiste know that some of his most meaningful work happens as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the West Hempstead Fire Department. His commitment to the department reflects countless hours of training, emergency response, teamwork, and sacrifice—all done in service to others. As a volunteer, he gives his time selflessly, answering calls, supporting his fellow firefighters, and remaining dedicated to the safety of the community. That kind of service is built on consistency, heart, and a willingness to work hard without asking for recognition.

He is also a proud brother of Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, Inc., a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a lector at St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is John Jarvis, a 27-year-old fourth-generation firefighter and 10+ year member of the East Norwich Volunteer Fire Company. Over the course of his service, John has responded to thousands of emergency calls, including structure fires, technical rescues, and EMS incidents. He is trained in basic firefighting, ice water rescue, and advanced first aid, and was recognized as a top 5 responder in his department from 2015 to 2020.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, John played a critical role in transporting patients to nearby hospitals and was later recognized by the Town of Oyster Bay for his service. Outside of the firehouse, he is a student at Nassau Community College, where he serves as a Senator in the Student Government Association. He is also actively involved in local leadership as a member of the Nassau County Democratic Committee, the Glen Cove Democratic Committee, and as leader of the Glen Cove Young Democrats Club.

Continuing a proud family legacy of service dating back to 1919, John follows in the footsteps of generations before him — including his father, a former Chief of the department — carrying forward a deep commitment to community, leadership, and the fire service.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Robert Hendry. Rob is a 35-year member of Harper Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and a life member of the Hempstead Fire Department. Rob also served his community for 32 years as a Hempstead Police Officer before retiring from law enforcement.
Within Truck 1, he currently serves as Captain and Treasurer, and has previously held the roles of Captain, Lieutenant, and Secretary. Deeply committed to training and safety, Rob is an active member of the department’s training, safety, and investigation committees, and is both a New York State Certified Fire Instructor and Nassau County Certified Safety Officer.