Portfolios

FDNY Engine Co. 302 FDNY Ladder Co. 155

At a fire both the engine and truck are needed to extinguish the flames and make rescues of trapped people. If the fire is advanced, the engine has to knock down the flames before the truck can begin its search. On September 8, 2017 at 0334 hours, Engine Co. 302 and Ladder Co. 155 “the Vipers Nest” were directed to respond first due for a report of smoke at 123-60 147th Street in Queens. As Engine Co. 302 reached the corner of 147th Street the company saw heavy fire coming out of the front window of a house half way down the block. The fire was in a 2-½ story peaked roof private dwelling and was also venting from the exposure 2 and 4 sides. A frantic woman at the front gate informed the members that her three kids were trapped on the 2nd floor. LT. Brendan Corrigan of Ladder Co. 155 transmitted that information over the radio to make all members aware of the urgency of the situation. The fire had extended to the exterior siding and was consuming the outside of the house and was auto exposing to the second floor via the front and side windows. The fire was also extending to the siding of exposure 2. The intense fire prevented the members of Ladder 155 from initially entering the house. FF. James Hurson, the roof firefighter, surveyed all sides of the fire building and found only one second story window with which to place a portable ladder because of three cars on the exposure 2 side and rear yard. FF. Hurson forced the side door and determined that there was no fire in the basement and transmitted that information to LT. Corrigan. FF. Hurson informed FF. Gerard McManus, the outside vent firefighter of Ladder 155, to bring a 24-foot extension ladder to the exposure 4 side. They climbed the ladder to the second floor hallway into difficult conditions.
Once the nozzle team of Engine Co. 302 was ready to begin its attack, LT. Gregory Damato ordered the ECC Christopher Cavalcante to start water. The rig was not yet connected to a hydrant, so FF. Cavalcante supplied booster water while finishing the hookup. LT. Damato informed the nozzle firefighter Kerron Ware to sweep the front of the house and exposure 2 to limit the amount of heat and fire that was auto exposing the 2nd floor. After knocking down the heavy fire on the exterior, Engine Co. 302 made an aggressive push into the first floor and quickly advanced through the clutter while knocking down the heavy fire. This allowed LT. Corrigan and FF. Mark Ackerman, the irons firefighters of Ladder 155, to crawl to the second floor through high heat and zero visibility to search for the trapped occupants. LT. Corrigan ordered FF. Ted Parente, the can firefighter, to remain at the base of the stairs to monitor conditions. LT. Corrigan heard cries for help. Engine Co. 302, which was still on booster water, continued to advance deeper into the first floor where there was a room in the rear that was on fire. LT. Corrigan and FF. Ackerman split up and LT. Corrigan quickly found two of the three sisters in the middle bedroom. As LT. Corrigan was removing one of the victims, he located the third victim and informed FF. McManus. As the engine made the rear room FF. Cavalcante informed the officer that the company was now on hydrant water. LT. Damato dropped back on the hoseline to make sure that the fire had not flared up behind the company. At the base of the stairs LT. Damato heard FF. Ackerman struggling to remove one of the 10-45s from the second floor. LT. Damato instructed his control firefighter, James Terry, who was detailed from Ladder Co. 158 to assist FF. Ackerman with the removal. LT. Damato returned to his nozzle team, and since the fire was knocked down, had FF. Ware and FF. Christopher Armstrong, the backup firefighter, bring the hoseline to the base of the stairs to the second floor. The advancement was delayed because LT. Corrigan was in the process of removing a victim down the stairs. LT. Damato ordered FF. Armstrong to assist with the removal of the victim. Once the stairs were clear LT. Damato ascended the stairs on his hands and knees due to the high heat to assess the fire conditions before committing the line upstairs due to only having FF. Ware on the line. Engine Co. 302 decided to bring the hoseline to the second floor because there was fire on the second floor. A second hoseline was not available, and Ladder 155 was upstairs removing victims in difficult conditions without the protection of a hoseline. As LT. Damato reached the second floor, he saw FF. McManus having difficulty removing an unconscious victim who was caught in debris. The fire had extended from the front bedroom into the second floor hallway. LT. Damato assisted FF. McManus in freeing the victim so she could be removed down the stairs. Once the stairs were clear, FF. Ware started to aggressively advance the hoseline to the second floor by himself while FF. Cavalcante pushed the line in at the front door. When FF. Ware reached the second floor, FF. Armstrong and FF. Terry reentered the house and resumed their positions on the hoseline. The hoseline was then advanced on the second floor to extinguish the fire in the front room. Matt Wilkinson, the chauffeur of Ladder 155, completed a primary search of that room and then went to the attic to assess conditions and conduct a search. A short time later Battalion Chief Robert Bohack of Battalion 51 reported that heavy black smoke was issuing under pressure from the attic, and he ordered members out of the attic. LT. Damato informed BC Bohack that the engine would advance the hoseline into the attic to protect FF. Wilkinson and extinguish the fire. When the members reached the attic they were met with fire and high heat.
By now the members were physically exhausted, but they pushed on and found the energy to advance into the cluttered attic and put out another room of fire. Once the attic was extinguished, high heat remained because the exterior siding was still on fire. The nozzle team of Engine Co. 302 leaned out the window to extinguish the fire. At this time LT. Damato realized that the vibralerts of his members were going off. BC Bohack provided relief for Engine Co. 302 and they exited the building.
For acting in the highest tradition of the FDNY, with combined actions in extinguishing a heavy fire on multiple floors and rescuing three people from a private dwelling, the fire officers and members of Engine Co. 302 and Ladder Co. 155 are being honored tonight.

FDNY Rescue Co. 1 Firefighter James Patrick Lee, Jr.

The life saving rope rescue evolution is one of the rarest and most dangerous evolutions performed by firefighters. When there are no other options to rescue a trapped person, the only option is the roof rope rescue. In the middle of the night on October 27, 2016, FF. James P. Lee, Jr. of Rescue Co. 1 in Manhattan performed the feat at a six alarm fire in a five-story old law tenement and saved an 81-year-old man’s life. When Rescue Co. 1 arrived at the fire, FF. Lee, the roof firefighter, made his way to the roof of the fire building via exposure 2. Once on the roof, FF. Lee saw fire blowing out of the shaft about 30 feet into the air. The roof and bulkhead of exposure 4 were also on fire. FF. Lee heard a radio transmission from FF. Francis Rush, the chauffeur of Rescue 1, that a civilian appeared at a top floor window. FF. Rush told the man to stay where he was because help was on the way. FF. Rush then informed FF. Lee and advised that a life saving rope (LSR) rescue would be required.
FF. Lee made contact with the victim and also told him to stay where he was. At this time, heavy black smoke and high heat were venting out over the man’s head. FF. Lee radioed Battalion Chief James W. Manning of the 10th Battalion that there was a trapped victim in the rear of the building and an LSR rescue was being set up. The fire condition in the building was so extreme that the engine’s hoselines could not make it past the second floor, negating an interior rescue. The fire started on the first floor and went up the interior stairs to the top floor and into the shaft.
FF. Lee proceeded to dump the contents of the LSR bag and handed the hook to FF. Andrew Hawkins of Ladder Co. 43. FF. Hawkins tied the rope off around a chimney, and FF. Lee attached the rope to his harness. The unbearable conditions caused the elderly victim to disappear from the window a few times. FF. Rush again asked the man to remain at the window. The victim stated that he was about to jump. Once FF. Hawkins was tied off to the chimney and took the turns around the hook, FF. Lee climbed over the four-foot fence and positioned himself in line with the victim. The man’s yells, helped FF. Lee locate him as he was lowered in zero visibility through heavy smoke and high heat. FF. Rush also assisted FF. Lee in locating the victim. When FF. Lee reached the window, the victim was crouched below the windowsill and fire was coming out over his head preventing him from standing. FF. Lee reached into the window and got one arm around the man’s back and one arm under his knees. The man could not hold onto FF. Lee because of burns and cuts to his arms and hands. FF. Lee was able to pick up the victim and remove him from the room, but once they were out of the building, momentum turned them 180 degrees and FF. Lee’s back was against the building. FF. Rush told FF. Hawkins to lower FF. Lee and the victim. FF. Lee used his legs to kick off the building to avoid being hung up on the rear wall while cradling the victim.
The LSR began to burn after fire came in contact with it as FF. Lee and the man reached the third floor. Just after FF. Lee and the victim safely reached the ground after passing four floors of fire, the LSR burned through and fell to the ground. FF. Lee and FF. Rush carried the burned victim through exposure 4 and to the street where he was handed off to EMS.
For his performance of an LSR rescue of an elderly man from a heavy fire and smoke condition, FF. James P. Lee, Jr. is being honored tonight.

FDNY Ladder Co. 9 Firefighter Eric J. Leon

When a phone alarm for a fire in an occupied building comes in at night or early in the morning there is the possibility that people may be trapped by the smoke and heat of a fire. On December 15, 2017 at 2111 hours, Tower Ladder 9 responded as the first due truck for a fire in an old law tenement at 80 East 3rd Street in Manhattan. Upon arrival, the inside team of Ladder Co. 9, including FF. Eric Leon, the irons firefighter, made their way to the third floor, which was where the fire was reported to be. As the inside team was ascending the stairs, LT. Ralph Holguin of Ladder 9 was informed by civilians on the second floor that there was a fire on the third floor. Once on the third floor, LT. Aviles of Engine Co. 28 advised LT. Holguin that the fire could be in apartment 9. The truck officer touched the door with the back of his gloved hand and felt extreme heat. LT. Holguin determined the door was locked and ordered FF. Leon to force it, which was quickly accomplished. After the door was forced, the members were met with heavy black smoke and a large volume of fire coming from the apartment into the hallway. LT. Holguin transmitted the 10-75.
FF. Leon controlled the fire apartment door and advised LT. Holguin that while forcing the door he felt it stop abruptly, meaning that someone could be behind it. FF. Leon, without hesitation or regard for his own safety, entered the fire apartment to search for life. He did this without the protection of a charged and operating hoseline and with heavy fire rolling over his head. After entering the fully involved apartment, FF. Leon con-ducted a left-handed search and immediately checked behind the door and found an unconscious male on the floor about three feet in. LT. Holguin immediately radioed Battalion Chief Quinn of the 6th Battalion to inform him of the 10-45. FF. Leon proceeded to drag the victim to the doorway where they were met by FF. Gentile of Engine Co. 5 who was working in Ladder Co. 9 for the tour. The two firefighters removed the victim from the doorway of the fire apartmnent into the public hallway and then passed him off to members of Engine Co. 55. The victim was then removed from the fire build-ing and passed off to EMS for additional medical care.
FF. Leon and FF. Gentile reentered the fire apartment and met up with LT. Holguin to resume their duties as the first due truck inside team. They continued their primary search for additional victims and guided LT. Aviles and the members of Engine Co. 28’s nozzle team to the remaining fire in the apartment. After Engine Co. 28 extinguished the heavy fire, the members of 9 Truck overhauled to check for any fire extension.
For his brave and determined actions that saved a man’s life, FF. Eric Leon of Ladder Co. 9, one half of Bowery U, is being honored tonight.

FDNY Ladder Co. 80 Firefighter Michael A. Moran

The work of fighting fires can be impacted by weather conditions, especially snowy, windy and blizzard-type conditions. On February 7, 2017 such conditions faced FF. Michael A. Moran of Ladder Co. 80 and all the units at a 2nd alarm fire in a wood frame Queen Anne. Upon arrival at the box, LT. Matthew T. Hanly of 80 Truck transmitted a 2nd alarm because of the heavy fire on the 1st and 2nd floors and attic, strong winds, and the sight of several civilians in need of rescue. The location and volume of fire made interior searches nearly impossible.
FF. Moran, the roof firefighter, and FF. Christopher Curto, the OV, split up for an outside perimeter search of the house with FF. Moran going down the exposure 4 side. FF. Moran immediately located a victim at an attic window. Thick smoke was all around the male victim as he went in and out of consciousness. The path to the victim down the exposure 4 driveway was blocked by large work vans and the path was very difficult to navigate because of the ice and snow. The outside team was assisted by FF. Suter, the LCC of 80 Truck, and the three members were able to get a portable ladder down the alley and extend it. The 24-foot ladder was short of the window and only provided access just below the eave that extended approximately 18 inches from the house. The high heat and heavy smoke forced the victim out of the window. With no time to waste, FF. Moran climbed the ladder to the top and used his height to extend his arms beyond the eave and reach the victim’s dangling feet. FF. Moran kept only his feet in contact with the ladder as he grabbed the victim by the feet. FF. Moran balanced the semi conscious victim by his feet over his head and descended the ladder. At no time during the removal did FF. Moran have his hands in contact with the ladder. FF. Moran then met up with FF. Curto who helped escort the victim to EMS for treatment.
After completing the rescue and gathering his tools, FF. Moran saw a hand and then heard the sound of an additional victim inside a first floor bathroom window. Since there was no time to try and get a ladder, FF. Moran dragged a large life-size plastic playhouse against the building and climbed on top of it, which put him 10 feet above the ground. He then took the window and waited for a blast of highly charged smoke and heat to vent out. FF. Moran then pulled himself waist deep into the window and reached in to make a quick search below the window. He located an elderly victim on the bathroom floor and got a firm grip on him and removed the unconscious man up and out the window. FF. Moran again passed off the victim to FF. Curto who then passed off the victim to Battalion 22 Chief Daniel O’Gara. Chief O’Gara got the badly burned victim to EMS for treatment of his life threatening injuries.
For his brave and determined actions in the rescue of two civilians, FF. Michael A. Moran of Ladder Co. 80 is being recognized at the Bravest Awards
Dinner.

FDNY Rescue Co. 3 Lieutenant Mickey Conboy 2018

On Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 2317 hours, Rescue Co. 3, under the leadership of LT. Mickey Conboy, was special called for a report of a fire with people trapped at 1236 Simpson Street in the Bronx. The building is a 2-story, 20 x 60 flat roof private dwelling. Rescue Co. 3 arrived at the box before the second due truck, and LT. Conboy heard Ladder Co. 31 transmit a 10-45 over the radio. LT. Conboy observed heavy fire blowing up over the roof of an open 3 x 3 light shaft that was approximately 20 feet back on the exposure 2 side. LT. Conboy and the members of Rescue Co. 3 were ordered by BC Hyland of Battalion 3 to assist with the searches of the building and to check for extension in exposure 4. LT. Conboy had his outside team check for extension while the inside team attempted to enter the fire building through the front door. A large crowd of people at the front door were in the way, so LT. Conboy ordered his inside team to attempt to gain entry to the second floor via a portable ladder to the roof of the front porch. LT. Conboy was able to crawl through the front door while heavy black smoke vented out over his head. At this time Engine Co. 82 was waiting for water in the hoseline so they could begin their attack on the first floor living room and dining room that were fully involved with fire venting out into the hallway.
At this time, LT. Conboy met the can man from Ladder Co. 31 in the hallway at the base of the stairs. He was attempting to keep the fire back to protect LT. Perillo and FF. Niskanen as they were coming down the stairs with an unconscious woman. LT. Conboy asked LT. Perillo if anyone else was searching the second floor, and the answer was no.
The second due truck was not on scene yet so LT. Conboy climbed the staircase to the second floor through extremely high heat. At the top of the stairs, LT. Conboy was forced onto his belly by the heat and he began his search in the front bedroom. Once in the bedroom he found the tools left behind by Ladder Co. 31, and he realized that this was where they interrupted their search to remove the woman.
As LT. Conboy began to search to the right he could see fire blowing into the room and over his head through the window from the open shaft. As he crawled along the wall, LT. Conboy found an unconscious 8-year-old child lying on the floor face up under the window. The curtains and drapes were on fire and falling down on the child. As LT. Conboy picked up the child he saw that the child’s clothes were on fire, and he placed him on a bed away from the window and patted out the flames.
He proceeded to crawl out of the room with the child. Once the child was in the hallway, LT. Conboy passed him off to another firefighter and instructed him to get the child to EMS.
LT. Conboy then made his way back to the bedroom to continue his search where the fire was still blowing into the room from the open shaft. He made a left-handed search and reached the bottom of a bed where he felt a leg between the bed and the wall. LT. Conboy moved the bed and found an unconscious 89-year-old man laying on the floor. The fire was now rolling over his head on the ceiling and extending into the hallway, and a hoseline was not in operation.
LT. Conboy told FF. Browne of Rescue Co. 3 to remove a door and place it over the window in the shaft to slow the fire that was blowing in. LT. Conboy dragged the man out of the room and into the hallway where he handed him off to another firefighter who removed him to EMS outside.
For his determined and undaunted actions that saved the lives of two people, LT. Mickey Conboy is being honored this evening.

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FDNY.NET Gibson A Craig FDNY Squad 41

On February 10, 2001, Squad 41 was assigned to assist with operations at 206 west 118th Street in Manhattan where there was a report of people trapped. Firefighter Gibson A Craig performed his duties as the Squad 41 chauffeur, then entering the building, only to find that the interior stairs were blocked. Outside, he observed two victims trapped on the fire floor. Dense smoke was around them as they leaned out of the window.

Firefighter Craig climbed the fire escape, reached the fire floor, vented and entered the fire escape window. With zero visibility, he began his search in the fire floor hallway, looking for the victims’ apartment door.

Reaching a door frame in the dark, he forced it open, calmed the victims inside, and assisted in their rescue via the ariel.

Returning to the hallway on his knees, Firefighter Craig continued to force open several more apartment doors, searching for victims in the worsening conditions.

The fire apartment was opposite the stairway that provided the only access to the floor, and there was a large area to be searched beyond the apartment. Without regard for his personnel safety, and with great determination, Firefighter Craig crawled beneath the fire as it rolled out of the fire apartment and across the ceiling.

After crawling approximately 20 feet, he reached and entered apartment Number 51, where he found Ms Emma Carr unconscious by the apartment door.

He was unable to get through on the radio to transmit a 10-45, or request assistance. Alone, he dragged the victim in to the hallway, staying low in the heat.

He finally met with others who assisted him in reaching the stairway with the victim and taking her to the floor below where she was turned over to EMS personnel.

Re-donning his facepiece, he returned to the fire floor to assist in the rescue of another victim.

Firefighter Gibson A. Craig exhibited personal initiative, skill, and bravery, placing himself in a life-threatening situation by passing the fire apartment without the aid of a line or safe egress, in order to rescue the victim.

For his actions, we are proud to present Firefighter Gibson A. Craig with one of this year’s Bravest Awards.

FDNY Lieutenant Curt Meyran and Phillip Gaetini

In October of 1996, Capt. Philip Gaetini of Ladder Co. 123 crawled through smoke in a Brownsville building to help in the rescue of young girl and boy whose mother had left them home alone. Unfortunately, two children perished as a result of the intense fire.

It must have seemed like a replay of that disastrous event to Capt. Philip Gaetini when Ladder Co. 123 responded to a blaze in a two-story brownstone duplex located in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn during the early morning hours of April 30.

Flames were venting from all windows when Ladder Co. 123 arrived.Firefighter Curt Meyran had the O.V.M position and was told by the civilians that two young children were still in the building. The children’s grandmother, Mary Chambers, was in the group, and frantic that the babies would be lost.

Reacting quickly, Firefighter Meyran ran to the rear yard of the building, scaled a 4-foot chain link fence, and forced his way through the rear entry into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Capt. Gaetini was further informed that the youngsters were trapped in the basement. He proceeded to enter the front of the building, hoping to gain access to the basement through the interior stairs.

Capt. Gaetini found his way to the basement door, opened it, and was hit with intense heat from the fire that has started to come up the interior staircase and into the parlor area.

While searching the parlor floor for the children, Firefighter Meyran encountered Capt. Gaetini who told him the fire was located in the basement, that the basement stairs were untenable, and that the children were believed to be trapped on that lower level. Remembering an exterior cellar door he had seen during his run from the street to the rear of the building, Firefighter Meyran and Capt. Gaetini went to the outside of the building and forced entry into the basement.

They proceeded down the cellar steps, and forced entry through another door where they were met with intense heat and smoke that sent them to their hands and knees.

As the danger increased, Firefighter Meyran and Capt. Gaetini searched the basement level until they heard a low moan. Trying to key in on the sound, they split up and Firefighter Meyran moved forward until he came to a doorway. He crawled into the room beyond, and felt a bed. Sweeping the top of the bed with his hand, Firefighter Meyran located a 3-year-old girl, Tene Louise.

Conditions were deteriorating rapidly. There was no door between the bedroom and the fire area. By now, those on the outside of the building were seeing 8-foot flames coming out of the basement windows. Time was running out.

Firefighter Meyran called out to Capt. Gaetini that he had located one of the victims, and needed the sound of Capt. Gaetini’s voice to get his bearings for a quick exit to safety. Capt. Gaetini directed Firefighter Meyran to the exit, and responded that he was continuing to search for the second child.

Working his way back through the dense smoke and heat, Firefighter Meyran found his way to the cellar door, and into the rear yard where he placed Tene Louise on the ground and administered first aid.

Capt. Gaetini continued to crawl through thick smoke and amid storage boxes without the protection of a hand line and with the fire’s intensity increasing. While crawling around the bedroom, the beam from Capt. Gaetini’s flashlight fell upon the face of 2-year-old Alize Chalmer. He picked up the child, signaled a 10-45, and proceeded to find his way back out of the basement. As he reached the cellar stairs and the safety of the rear yard, the heavy Bilco-type cellar doors came down on top of him, entangling his mask.

Thinking of the child’s safety first, he called to Firefighter Meyran to take the child from his arms as Capt. Gaetini remained snarled in the door mechanism.

A member from Ladder 132 was soon able to free him. As Firefighter Meyran administered first aid to both children Capt, Gaetini issued an urgent request for E.M.S. to come to the rear.

The children were rushed to Kings County Hospital, and later to the hyperbaric chamber at Jacobi Hospital. Soon afterwards, Tene Louise and Alize Chalmer were both listed in stable condition. Capt.Gaetini and Firefighter Curt Meyran could rest assured that their efforts had saved the children’s lives.

The actions of Capt. Philip Gaetini and Firefighter Curt Meyran in the face of extremely hazardous conditions and without regard for their own safety make them both the recipients of our Firefighters Quarterly Bravest Award. Most important Capt. Philip Gaetini summed up his feelings in a statement to The Daily News following the fire when he said, “It feels good today. I felt cheated the last time. The reward of them living is what it’s all about”

Vipers Nest FDNY L155

Firefighter Gerry McManus

At 1336 Hours, Queens Box 8903 was transmitted reporting a fire in a private dwelling. E302 and TL 155 were both assigned first due. Numerous calls were received reporting the same.
From a distance, a column of smoke could be seen in the direction of the address and the officer of E302 immediately gave a 10-75.

Both companies arrived first due and heavy fire could be seen venting from the first and second floor of a two and half story peaked roof private dwelling. Fire appeared to be consuming both floors. Engine 302 hooked up to a hydrant and began stretching the initial attack line.
Firefighter Gerard McManus was assigned the roof position in TL155. The inside team of TL155 began forcing the front door for entry and advancement of the handline. Entry would be difficult without the handline due to the heavy volume of fire. Queens dispatch notified units of reports of people trapped.

Firefighter McManus an experienced firefighter realized accessing to the sides and rear of the dwelling would be difficult due to numerous obstructions. Firefighter McManus began breaking a fence on the exposure 2 side. Firefighter McManus then proceeded to exposure 3 where he forced entry into the basement. Firefighter McManus did a quick search and reported that there was no fire in the basement. Firefighter McManus exited the basement then proceeded to the ¾ corner where he began forcing 3 doors including a heavy duty security door in order to gain entry to the 1st floor. Firefighter McManus was met by heavy black smoke and extreme heat. Pushing under pressure.

The Fire began rapidly extending throughout the house and consuming all but the small kitchen area in the rear. Firefighter McManus knowing the reports of person’s trapped and conditions worsening that time was of the essence to react. Firefighter McManus weighed the risk vs rewards and entered into the dwelling to begin a quick and aggressive search. Without any protection from a hand line Firefighter McManus began a left-hand search of the kitchen which led him into the dining room area. The conditions were worsening and Firefighter McManus began feeling the heat permeate through his bunker gear. Crawling on his belly and with fire above and around him Firefighter McManus continued deeper into the dwelling. Now in the middle of the dining room,

Firefighter McManus came upon the foot and leg of an unconscious victim. Firefighter McManus transmitted a 10-45 for the victim with conditions ever more severe. Firefighter McManus began the difficult task of removing the victim by himself through the heavy fire which was near flashover temperatures. Firefighters McManus having spun the victim then dragged him 15 feet back to the rear door and then outside. Once outside Firefighter McManus carried the victim another 60 feet to the front where Engine 308 quickly began CPR and resuscitation.

Firefighter McManus operated alone in severe and punishing conditions putting his safety on the line in order to save the life of another human being. Firefighter McManus exemplifies the courage and dedication it takes to be a member of the FDNY

Watkins Street FDNY L120

Capt Michael Thomson, FF Brian Cross, FF Michael Meyer

At 0835 hours, TL120 was heading north on Mother Gaston Blvd. at Belmont Ave., returning to quarters from another run. In the distance, a column of smoke could be seen rising over the Howard Houses. At the same time, Brooklyn Box 1675 was being transmitted by the Brooklyn dispatch office, reporting smoke at 260 Mother Gaston Blvd. Box 1675 was a first due box for TL120.
TL120 was assigned to the box and was a 10-84 in a matter of seconds. Upon arrival, fire could be seen venting from the top floor of the address. Captain Michael Thomson of TL120 transmitted a 10-75 for a top floor fire in a 13 story class 1 fireproof multiple dwelling. The fire was in apartment 13A, a large 3 bedroom apartment.

The members of TL120 exited the fire truck and did a quick size-up. The members quickly noticed multiple persons trapped behind child gates in the fire apartment, with heavy smoke pushing from each window of the apartment, Captain Thomson instructed TL120’s Chauffeur, Firefighter Brian Cross, to assist with operations on the top floor.

Captain Thomson, Firefighter Cross along with Forcible Entry Firefighter Michael Meyer, Can Man Firefighter Steven Hay, Outside Vent man Firefighter Daniel Monteleone, and Roof Man Firefighter James Giammalvo proceeded to the 11th floor via the “A” elevator. Captain Thomson instructed Firefighter Monteleone to assist with operations in the fire apartment due to the numerous people confirmed trapped.

TL120 ascended the “A” stairwell to the 13th Floor and found Apartment 13A. Screams could be heard coming from the apartment. With face pieces donned, the inside team began to force entry into the apartment; the door began to warp due to the intense heat. Upon entry, the members of TL120 were met with extreme heat, fire and zero visibility at the front door. Captain Thomson told Firefighter Hay to hold back some of the fire with the extinguisher while the members entered into the apartment. The OVM remained at the entry door.

Captain Thompson and Firefighter Meyer entered the living room where Captain Thomson came across 21-year-old Angel Ortiz. A 10-45 was transmitted and Captain Thomson and Firefighter Meyer together removed Mr. Ortiz under the fire and out into the “A” Stairwell. They re-entered the fire apartment and continued the right-hand search as Firefighter Hey continued to hold back the growing fire with his can. Firefighter Meyer found a second 10-45, 46-year-old Raphael Espinal who was lying prone on the floor. Another 10-45 was transmitted and then began to remove the victim to safety. This proved to be difficult due to the large size of the victim and numerous obstacles in the apartment. With the assistance of the OVM, they were able to remove Mr. Espinal to the public hallway and to the waiting arms of another unit. Command informed Captain Thomson that victims could still be seen at the window; with conditions rapidly deteriorating, they returned to the fire apartment.

At this time, TL120’s Chauffeur, Firefighter Cross, along with Engine 231, made their way to the 13th floor. Firefighter Cross along with Lieutenant Salvatore Mirra, found their way to the apartment door through the black acrid smoke. When they opened the door, heavy fire began venting from the top of the door. Cross entered the apartment under the fire where he met up with the OVM who directed him to the location of Firefighter Hey. Firefighter Cross brought a Second extinguisher and gave it to Firefighter Hey, Firefighter Cross then began his right-hand search of the living space.

Considerable time had passed and without the protection of a handline, it was likely that TL120 would get cut off by fire. Captain Thomson returned to seat of the fire where Firefighter Hey informed him that the second extinguisher was running low. Just then, Engine 231 could be heard moving the handline into position. Captain Thomson teamed up with Firefighter Cross to continue his search.

Firefighter Meyer had located a bedroom door and immediately found unconscious one-year-old baby boy (Ivan Paez) and two females just inside the bedroom, 20-year-old Morline Perez and 17-year-old Brandy Paez. Firefighter Meyer transmitted a 10-45 for the victims and his location. Firefighter Meyer began to remove the baby from the bedroom. Firefighter Meyer informed Firefighter Cross of the two remaining victims in the room. Firefighter Meyer removed the baby to safety while Firefighter Cross entered the bedroom for removal of the remaining two females. Upon entering the bedroom, Firefighter Cross closed the bedroom door only to discover an unconscious 8-year-old boy (Brandon Paez) on the floor. Firefighter Cross transmitted the 10-45 and requested Firefighter Monteleone to assist him in the removal. The two females were conscious and at the windows. Roof Man Firefighter Giammalvo lowered his mask down to Firefighter Cross so as to shelter the females in place with air while he and the OVM removed the 8-year-old to safety. As they exited the bedroom, information about the females was passed along to Rescue 2 after which the two were removed to safety.

Captain Thomson has again made his way into the apartment and entered the left rear apartment to find yet another unconscious female, 40-year-old Alexandra Mello. He transmitted the 10-45 and began removal of Mrs. Mello from the bedroom. The Captain and Firefighter Meyer were assisted by a member from Rescue 2.
Captain Thomson, Firefighter Brian Cross and Firefighter Meyer are being honored for their rescues, but could not have happened without the teamwork of all the members of TL120. Their selflessness in the face of extreme dangers exemplify the traditions and commitment of all members of the FDNY.

Corona Tigers FDNY L138

FF Stephen Maly, FF Michael Agusta, FF George Mueller, FF Kevin Mohr

The morning of August 9th 2016 started out routine for the members of TL138 but would end up anything but routine. The incoming for the day tour was six with one detail to E319. Probationary Firefighter Edwin Rodriguez took his first detail to E319 leaving TL138 with five members with a minimum of 10 years on the job. This experience would prove valuable later on in the tour.

Firefighter Sean O’Rourke was assigned the Chauffeur position along with Firefighter Mike Agosta the Roof Man, Firefighter George Mueller the OVM, Firefighter Stephen Maly the Irons, Firefighter Kevin Mohr the Can Man and Barry Harpur covering Lieutenant.

Bronx 2nd alarm was transmitted and TL138 was assigned to relocate to the quarters of TL41 on White Plaines Road. TL138 arrived in the Bronx and assumed the role of TL41 covering their response area. After a couple of hours in the Bronx, the members of TL138 were given a ticket to return from relocation.

Enroute back to their firehouse, TL138 came to the intersection of Westchester Ave. and Waters Place. Westchester Ave. is a roadway with elevated subway tracks with numerous support columns in the roadway supporting the tracks above.
Firefighter Sean O’Rourke, TL138’s Chauffeur, was heading south on Waters Place making a left turn onto Westchester Ave. Suddenly there was a loud noise and impact which caused the members on the backstep to be jerked around. The Fire Truck came to a stop and the members knew they had gotten into some kind of accident. As the members on the backstep regained their bearings, they realized that they hit the support column and that Firefighter O’Rourke was injured and not moving.
Lieutenant Harpur immediately seeing the severity of the situation, gave an urgent over the department radio asking for further assistance. The members on the backstep got off the rig and came to the driver’s side door where they saw the door was crushed up against the column and Firefighter O’Rourke’s arm entrapped between the door and the column. Blood was pouring from the area of O’Rourke’s left arm and time was of the essence to try and control the bleeding and extricate their colleague from the Fire Truck.

Firefighter Maly immediately realized the need to try and control the bleeding. He jumped up into the front cab behind Firefighter O’Rourke. A gaping wound was visible on Firefighter O’Rourke’s lower left arm. Firefighter Maly applied direct pressure to the wound. This seemed to have no effect as blood continued to flow from his arm. Firefighter Maly attempted to apply a tourniquet only to discover an even greater wound to Firefighter O’Rourke’s left shoulder. Firefighter O’Rourke’s left arm was nearly severed and it was now a race to save his life. Firefighters Mueller and Firefighter Mohr quickly got the Hurst tool as it was clear that the driver’s door needed to be mechanically separated in order to free Firefighter O’Rourke’s arm.
Firefighter Agosta prepared the door from the street. He cleared debris while creating a large purchase needed for Hurst tool to quickly free Firefighter O’Rourke’s arm. Both Firefighter Agosta and Firefighter Maly continued to talk to Firefighter Sean assuring him that he would be ok.

Firefighter Mueller and Firefighter Mohr then began operating the Hurst tool. Firefighter Mueller used the spreaders to separate the door from the column. With Firefighter O’Rourke’s arm now free and with Firefighter Maly continuing to try and control bleeding, Firefighter O’Rourke was removed from the vehicle and to the street. The injuries to Firefighter O’Rourke were severe and his arm was literally dangling by muscle, tissue and tendons.
At this time the first of the resources began to arrive. Firefighter O’Rourke was quickly packaged by the first arriving EMS unit and quickly transported. Firefighter Maly rode with Firefighter O’Rourke to the hospital continuing to provide mental and emotional support.

The EMT’s notified their dispatch that they were transporting a member of service to Jacobi Medical Center with severe trauma. Twice EMS dispatch informed them not to transport to Jacobi and that they were to transport Firefighter O’Rourke to a trauma center further away. The EMTs refused their order and informed dispatch that they were transporting to Jacobi and to have a trauma team ready. Their decision, along with actions of the members of TL138, saved the life of Firefighter Sean O’Rourke.

Firefighter O’Rourke had lost so much blood that is was a race to save his life and eventually his arm.
The members of TL138 operated under extreme duress in extricating their colleague and friend. The quick and decisive actions of the members of TL138 saved the life and arm of Firefighter O’Rourke .
Firefighter O’Rourke spent months in the hospital undergoing numerous surgeries and grafting. Firefighter O’Rourke has spent the past 9 months working hard through a grueling physical therapy routine to not only regain the use of his left arm, but tremendous function as well. There is no doubt that Firefighter O’Rourke will come back to work and ride the firetruck as a full duty Firefighter in TL138.