Brian McGuinness
Job Description? Con Edison's Emergency Response Group. Responding to various Con Ed emergencies throughout the service territory. Act as liaison and subject matter, expert between first responders and Con Edison. Assist in Mitigating utility emergencies.
Why I chose this career? Went to work for Con Edison, as a General Utility Worker, my career moved me towards the emergency department. I became passionate about helping others in time of need.
Proudest moment of my career? Many proud, proud moments in my career, times of blackouts or electrical fires knowing that I was a part of the team Bringing normalcy to a chaotic situation.
Building a simulated electrical confined space manhole in Res2cue headquarters so members could train and be prepared. Having my son join the ranks of Con Ed and continue a long family tradition.
Something people would be surprised to know about me... I have no surprises, what you see is what you get.
Biography: Brian McGuinness is a Pro-Board Industrial Firefighter and a Hazardous Material Technician for Con Edison Biological Chemical Weapons Response Team.
In Brian’s 35 plus years of service he has always been in an Emergency Response role. Brian started in 1989 as a driver on Con Edison’s “Red Wagon” (Electric Emergency trucks). He worked his way up through the ranks into Supervision. Brian has many years of experience in dealing with electrical Manhole Fires, Crane Collapses, Building Collapses, Transit Fires and many other incidents including 9/11.
Brian Joined a team that was created after 9/11 that focuses Emergency Response and working with outside agencies keeping them safe while mitigating Utility Incident. During Super Storm Sandy Brian worked in conjunction with New York City Emergency Management, and FDNY to deploy rafts into a Substation where 14 employees were trapped. The Energized Substation located on Ave C and 14th Street was under 5 feet of water and the new shoreline for the East River was on Ave B. Brian used his extensive knowledge of Substations to assist members of the FDNY to safely retrieve the trapped employees.
Brian is a visiting Instructor teaching Utility Hazard Awareness courses at FDNY Fire Academy, NYPD Academy, as well as Westchester County First Responder Training Academy’s as well.
In addition to Brian’s passion for Emergency Response work he owned and Operated Brian Dempseys restaurant in Bayside Queens for 25yrs. Being the Grandson of Irish immigrants from Killybegs County Donegal, Brian never forgot his heritage and was supporter of the Bayside St Patrick’s day Parade In 2022 Brian was listed as one of the Honorees as an Aide for the Parade.
