Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Chaplain (Lt Col), retired FDNY firefighter, ordained chaplain, and nationally recognized leader in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), , Van Don Williams ’77. Van Don has dedicated his life to serving others through emergency response, spiritual care, crisis intervention, and leadership. He began his career with the New York City Fire Department, where he served for more than 20 years as an Emergency First Responder and Battalion Firefighter. After Colgate he earned a Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, becoming the first active-duty African American firefighter in FDNY history to attain that degree. His experience responding to disasters fueled a passion for Critical Incident Stress Management, a commitment that deepened after surviving the collapse of World Trade Center Tower One during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of that tragedy, Van Don used his chaplain training to help fellow firefighters and first responders navigate grief, trauma, and healing. Following his retirement, Van Don continued his work in crisis response and mental health support. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his more than 30 years of service with Civil Air Patrol, he has served at the squadron, group, wing, region, and national levels, while also developing and implementing Critical Incident Stress Management programs throughout the organization. At Colgate, Van Don earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology. He later earned a Master of Divinity and continued a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and helping others heal in times of crisis.