Retired FDNY Firefighter and Culinary Chef Joseph Bonanno

Todays episode features Joseph Bonanno.
Joe Bonanno is a 21 year veteran firefighter with the New York City Fire Department and served in Engine 319, Ladder 129 and Ladder 152. Joe’s father was a 34 year FDNY veteran firefighter in Engine 88 and Engine 306 as well as his brother Michael, also a firefighter in Engine 315, Engine 216 and Ladder 7.
While serving as a firefighter, Joe became certified as a fitness trainer and nutritionist with certifications from New York University, The American Council on Exercise, The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and The International Sports Medicine Association.
Joseph started preparing healtier meals at the firehouse for his crew and in 1995, he published his first cookbook, The Healthy Firehouse Cookbook. Joseph also entered and won may firehouse cooking contests which led to appearances on "Live with Regis", The Martha Stewart Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America and many others.
Josephs was with the crew of FDNY Ladder 3 filming a local news spot the morning of 9/11. Later that morning, all 12 crew members would be killed in the collapse of the towers. Joseph and his brother, Michael who was also an FDNY Firefighter spent the following days at ground zero helping to search for any survivors and recover their lost brothers. Sadly, Josephs brother Michael committed suicide in 2012.
Joseph now works to help firefighters who may be struggling with mental health problems by partnering with the Firefighters Behavioral Health Alliance to bring an end to Firefighter Suicide.