After the Fire Podcast – Episode 9 - Toluene Tank Explosion

June 17, 2001
FDNY Father’s Day Fire
Astoria, Queens (NY)

Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 15

On Sunday, June 17, 2001, which was Father’s Day, a routine fire call in a hardware store/taxpayer structure of Astoria, Queens, erupted into a 5-alarm fire that claimed the lives of three FDNY members – Lieutenant John Downing, Firefighter Brian Fahey, and Firefighter Harry Ford. This incident also hurt numerous others with nearly a dozen career-ending injuries.

On Father’s Day, June 17, 2001, FDNY Firefighters John Downing, Harry Ford, and Brian Fahey, were mortally wounded in a backdraft explosion at a hardware store in Astoria Queens. This catastrophe claimed the husband and father from three families and greatly impacted the firefighting industry, forever altering the lives of many closely connected to FDNY.

In Part III of the 2001 Father’s Day fire podcast, we are joined by the spouses of these fallen firefighters and leadership of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Our goals are to honor and remember Lieutenant Downing, Firefighter Fahey, and Firefighter Ford; to hear the perspectives of and learn from the experiences of these amazing women; and to hopefully offer a model of strength and resilience to others along their journey of healing. Joining After The Fire today are wife of FDNY Lieutenant John Downing, Ann Downing, wife of FDNY Firefighter Brian Fahey, Mary Fahey, wife of FDNY Firefighter Harry Ford, Denise Ford, and from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Executive Director Chief Ron Siarnicki and Director of Fire Service Programs Chief John Tippett.