Saturday, November 16, 2019

Historical Portraits of the FD: Chief Bob Checco's Photo Gallery



LINK: PERSONAL GALLERY
Click the above link to visit the gallery and you can click each photo to enlarge.



LINK: GALLERY #1 1A-1Z 1967-1976)

[photos + 2A-2Z (1970-1976) 

LINK: GALLERY #3
(1969-1975) 
** Are you in this gallery? See Directory of all firefighters listed in Gallery 3 





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Welcome to Chief Checo's photo galleries of the FD. There are 6 Galleries in total. Please click the banner graphic link (thumbnail) or the Gallery text link under each banner to enter. Also below each banner is a link of their designated Directories of all firefighters names and photos labelled accordingly. These directories will help you find if you (or someone you are looking for) is in this particular gallery.  Each photo is individually labelled according to gallery.

If you have any questions or comments about Chief Checco's photo galleries, feel free to contact him directly at: 446W58@COMCAST.NET



 There is rarely a Bocce Ball tournament or a retired FD members' meeting that you will not find beloved patriarch Chief Bob Checco - a legendary treasure trove of priceless stories and photographic portraits about many of the retired firefighters of New York.  Thanks to his remarkable memory and a vault of never-before-published photos spanning decades and generations of firefighters, we can all enjoy looking back in FD history as far back as his probie years when he snapped that first shot in 1958.

To date, so many look to Chief Checco as one of the living gatekeepers of FD stories about so many of our city's heroes.  His life-long career in the fire department carries a legacy that started in 1958 in Engine 259/ Long Island City.   He became a Lieutenant in 1966, made Captain in 1976 and then became Acting Battalion chief (ABC) in 1977 in the FD Buildings Unit.  Most of his children followed in his footsteps in city service starting with his son-in law Lt. Frankie Manetta who joined the FD in 1977 and son Ff. Jimmy Checco and drew a third generation that brought in grandsons Ff. Tommy Checco and Ff. Mike Manetta.  NYC public service in the family also extends to the NYPD which included PO Joe Checco and PO Danny Manetta.

NYCRA, the First Responders Health Resource and the AngioFoundation invites you to join this exclusive tour of the fire department through the lens of Chief Checco as he shares some of the most priceless memories and powerful portraits of his family, his friends and the community of firefighters of the City of New York.  We are blessed to witness Chief Checco's collection of images and accurate depictions of each moment captured on film while he describes some of the finer details about the many first responders in the upcoming photo memoirs (to be published soon).

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"This is the most comprehensive collection of images taken of my generation in the department.  Where each day was a true honor to be with every firefighter (doing the best job in the world), going through these memories really makes looking back an enjoyable journey.  Chief Checco single-handedly captured & memorialized each precious moment that no other photographer could ever have access to.  He went from firehouse to firehouse to snap both candid and official photos including all the special events, official graduations and the city hall meetings.  The family photos were also most endearing, watching some of our unit leaders growing up and into the job.   For all the active and retired firefighters, each of those moments, those faces and those stories are the greatest gift!" - 
(Ret) Firefighter SALVATORE "SAL" BANCHITTA from Engine 316 of the 49 Battalion.  

Also check out COUSINSAL.ORG

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Disclaimer & Copyright Notice: The materials provided on this website/web-based article are copyrighted and the intellectual property of the publishers/producers (The NY Cancer Resource Alliance/IntermediaWorx inc. and Bard Diagnostic Research & Educational Programs). It is provided publicly strictly for informational purposes within non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, public display or performance. Unless otherwise indicated on this web based page, sharing, re-posting, re-publishing of this work is strictly prohibited without due permission from the publishers.  Also, certain content may be licensed from third-parties. The licenses for some of this Content may contain additional terms. When such Content licenses contain additional terms, we will make these terms available to you on those pages (which his incorporated herein by reference).The publishers/producers of this site and its contents such as videos, graphics, text, and other materials published are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, please always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider. Do not postpone or disregard any professional medical advice over something you may have seen or read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.  This website does not support, endorse or recommend any specific products, tests, physicians, procedures, treatment opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Referencing any content or information seen or published in this website or shared by other visitors of this website is solely at your own risk. The publishers/producers of this Internet web site reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, disable access to, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of this Internet web site or any information contained thereon without liability or notice to you.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Community Leadership Power Meeting for First Responders Health Concerns

PILOT POWER-LUNCHEON MEETING #1
November 8, 2019 marked the first coordinated assembly of community-minded New Yorkers brought together to discuss the major concerns relating to public health and wellness among first responders. This conference pilot was produced by the NY Cancer Resource Alliance or NYCRA (a health education-based LINKEDIN group) and sponsored by AngioFoundation director Dr. Robert L. Bard. Hosted at world renowned Philippe’s of NYC, this power luncheon was designed to promote dynamic exchange between all guests while setting the precedence for future collaborations. “The profound success of this special meeting-of-the-minds came from the strategic grouping of inspired individuals from different areas of interest”, said featured guest FDNY Peer Counselor/ Retired Captain L103 CASEY POLITI. “…synergy was automatic because we all related deeply in our own individual ways about first responders, cancer and survivorship”.

Other main guests included Director of Medical Operations /NY State Trooper Surgeons PBA MICHAEL BROOKS (Albany, NY) and Mrs. Mary Paterson, supporter of NY rescuers and wife of the 55th NYS Governor David Paterson.  Both were invited because of their state government perspectives which opened wider insight and resource information about healthcare challenges of state and city government safety workers. The next speaker was celebrity wellness author and producer CAROL ALT who graced the discussion with her vast experience in Prevention and Early Detection alongside her life-long support for the FDNY.  Meanwhile, on the healthcare side was leading cancer diagnostic specialist DR. ROBERT BARD, NYCRA mental health advisor JESSICA GLYNN, LCSW and physician DR. GEORGE LIAKEAS (provider of IvyGene cancer blood testing in NYC)- chosen for their clinical perspectives on clinical matters.  Together, they formed the first Round Table Leadership Collaboration group.


ALLIANCE BUILT ON THE MOST VITAL COMMON GROUND 
The dynamic group was quick to engage and connect with each other. Carol Alt kick-started the discussion about the loss of her father, Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Alt who died (1983) of cancer from the NY Tel exchange fire of 1975. This was pivotal in her educational crusade to promote wellness education as well as her tremendous support for the FDNY Foundation. “I’ve been a patient of Dr. Bard’s for over 20 years… he’s one of the top authorities in diagnostic science who teaches doctors all over the globe about this cutting edge cancer scanning technology-- the kind that really makes a difference”, starts Ms. Alt. “...I get screening all the time because I live in Tribecca- where people in that area are now having issues since 9/11 when the EPA told us all that it was safe to go back in our homes. My father would be alive today if he would have known to get early screenings like this.”


One of NYCRA’s many listed scanning resources available is IVYGENE- a dedicated blood test developed to scan for cancers. Dr. George Liakeas is a NYC based physician and specialized IvyGene provider who supports all local 9/11 responders through this proven effective modality of cancer scanning. He is a recent ally of the First Responders cancer resource project and Dr. Bard’s CancerScan practice as an alternative screening solution for patients.

 As one of the top supporting members of the first responders cancer awareness program, Dr. Bard dedicated much of his career in support of firefighters’ health concerns through the use of technology (like the advanced 4D Doppler Ultrasound) to target and analyze complex cases of cancers. In addition, commitment to responders’ health also drove other research works including the study of PTSD symptoms through the use of the Transcranial Ultrasound (more commonly used in Europe). This formed new partnerships with a list of experts in behavioral and psychological sciences. Psychotherapist and cancer survivor coach Jessica Glynn opened the pressing topics of mental illnesses and psychological issues that are a leading concern among a number of responder groups. “I am so impressed with NYCRA’s holistic and integrative views on wellness- and including significant attention to mental health… PTSD in particular as well as neurocognitive disorders have recently reached some alarming numbers in the rescue community and they’re being linked to occupational hazards,” says Ms. Glynn.

Gov. Paterson (R) inspired the Round Table Community
Network topic about First Responders Health Issues
BUILDING A NEW COMMUNITY FORUM 
The origins of this community round table concept came about at the Ch11 WPIX newsroom in May of 2019 when Dr. Bard first met with the 55th Governor of NY David Paterson and wife Mary while waiting to go on air for their own respective interviews. (see 5/2019 Ch11 photo elements) They immediately connected on vital matters including 9/11 health issues and  NYCRA's First Responders Cancer program where the governor's interest and the exchange stayed in earnest. "I am so proud to learn about the governor including his continued support for all New Yorkers", says Dr. Bard. "Discussing matters like first responders health issues was such a valued topic to him that he inspired us to reach out to other community leaders and to create forums like these luncheons!"

Six months from that fateful exchange, the first community meeting was launched and Mrs. Paterson attended on the governor's behalf, whom herself contributed some valuable topics and ideas to the circle.  “Continuance of these meetings is so vital to the safety and health interests of our public service workers as well as for our community at large… it’s one thing to ‘never forget’ but it’s even more crucial that we stay current about issues like 9/11 health effects”, stated Mrs. Paterson.


ABOUT NYCRA
Since 2017, the NY Cancer Resource Alliance has been producing collaborative programs between its active members- including medical providers, patient advocates, teachers, researchers and cancer survivors. Founded by medical publisher and patient advocate Lennard Gettz, “the alliance” has actively conducted educational seminars, published newsletters and co-promoted countless cancer fundraisers. NYCRA also catalogues and shares all available cancer resources for free public access as part of the “empowerment through education” mission. Pilot programs like the Round Table Leadership series is the next stage of info-sharing between a wide array of group leaders and public advocates to address the top focal issues and health concerns in our community.



Disclaimer & Copyright Notice: The materials provided on this website/web-based article are copyrighted and the intellectual property of the publishers/producers (The NY Cancer Resource Alliance/IntermediaWorx inc. and Bard Diagnostic Research & Educational Programs). It is provided publicly strictly for informational purposes within non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, public display or performance. Unless otherwise indicated on this web based page, sharing, re-posting, re-publishing of this work is strictly prohibited without due permission from the publishers.  Also, certain content may be licensed from third-parties. The licenses for some of this Content may contain additional terms. When such Content licenses contain additional terms, we will make these terms available to you on those pages (which his incorporated herein by reference).The publishers/producers of this site and its contents such as videos, graphics, text, and other materials published are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, please always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider. Do not postpone or disregard any professional medical advice over something you may have seen or read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.  This website does not support, endorse or recommend any specific products, tests, physicians, procedures, treatment opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Referencing any content or information seen or published in this website or shared by other visitors of this website is solely at your own risk. The publishers/producers of this Internet web site reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, disable access to, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of this Internet web site or any information contained thereon without liability or notice to you.

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