 DR. HARRY M. ARCHER MEDAL
Battalion Chief John J. Pritchard
Battalion 41
July 24, 1998, 2301 hours,
Box 75-2456
600 East 21st Street,
Brooklyn
Appointed to the FDNY on January 24, 1970. Previously assigned to Ladder 157,
Rescue 2, Squad 4 and Engine 255. Nephews, Lieutenant Brian Pritchard and
FF William Gormley, are assigned to Ladder 27 and Ladder 174, respectively.
Member
of the Emerald and Holy Name Societies and the Fire Chiefs Association.
Cited for bravery on numerous occasions and is the recipient of the James
Gordon Bennett
Medal in 1978 and 1999. Also, previously awarded the Brummer, Thomas F.
Dougherty and Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia Medals and the Career Civil Service
Award among
others. Veteran of the U.S. Navy. Attended New York Institute of Technology.
Resides in Staten Island. Proud father of daughter, Laurie, son-in-law,
Jay Curtis, and granddaughter, Katie.
The members of Engine 255 were in the
kitchen of their Flatbush firehouse participating in a late-evening drill
conducted by “Captain Jack” Pritchard. Suddenly, the tone alarm
shattered the air and the members scrambled to their rig. The Company was
directed to
respond first-due to a report of
smoke in
an apartment house. Known for their rapid turnout from quarters, the
Jolly Rogers quickly arrived at a six-story, non-fireproof, multiple dwelling.
No
sooner had the apparatus stopped when Captain Pritchard was met by
a woman who was screaming frantically that her baby was trapped in
the fire. Captain
Pritchard and the woman proceeded to the fourth floor of the building
where he could see smoke pushing under pressure from the apartment door. He
quickly
radioed instructions to his members to stretch a hose-line to the fourth
floor and transmitted the 10-75 signal for a working fire.
 |
Captain John “Jack” Pritchard
(center) with members of Engine 255. Engine Company 255 has a
well-deserved reputation for exceptionally quick turnouts. photo
courtesy of Battalion
Chief John J. Pritchard |
After
ascertaining from the hysterical mother exactly where in the flat her child
was located, Captain Pritchard attempted to force the door
open.
Again,
he transmitted instructions to the arriving Companies. He advised
Ladder 157 that a child was trapped and the forcible entry team and outside
vent man were
urgently required.
As luck would have it, through the heavy smoke,
Captain Pritchard spied the keys to the apartment in the lock. After
removing his right glove,
he turned the key and opened the door. The sudden gust of air--produced
by
the open
door--caused
conditions in the fire apartment to deteriorate rapidly.
Immediately,
Captain Pritchard dropped to his hands and knees and entered the high
heat and heavy black smoke. As he crawled into the
apartment,
the Captain could see that the fire had complete possession
of the
child’s
bedroom. He entered the room, staying as low as possible,
to remain under the extreme
heat and rolling flames. Although the intense fire conditions
caused Captain Pritchard to suffer burns and started to
drive him from the room, the cries
of an infant spurred him forward.
As he groped his way to
the far end of the room, he reached a plastic playpen. Inside
was a baby girl. With flames venting
out two windows
directly above
the child, there was no way Captain Pritchard could lift
the infant up and out of
harm’s way. There was only one alternative--grab the playpen and
pull it toward the apartment door.
The room was engulfed in fire, the playpen was
melting in his bare hand and Captain Pritchard was exhausted. Still, he
took hold and dragged the playpen--with
the child still inside--more than 15 feet through the apartment to the
safety of the public hall. Once there, both Captain Pritchard and 10-month-old
Shadee
Brophete were tended to by medical personnel and subsequently transported
to the Burn Center, where they were admitted.
Acting alone and without the protection
of a hose-line, Captain Pritchard
subjected himself to extreme personal risk by entering a room engulfed
in fire to perform a lifesaving rescue. His selfless and courageous act exemplifies
the highest traditions of the FDNY. For these reasons, he is presented
with
the Dr. Harry M. Archer Medal. -- BDG
About The Archer Medal
Special Order No. 180, which
was dated October 4, 1920, reads as follows: "A
medal, to be known as the 'Harry M. Archer Medal' has been donated
by Dr. Herman L. Reis and is to be awarded every third year to such
member of the uniformed force of the Fire Department as may have,
during the three
years preceding such award, been the recipient of one or more medals
which are now given or may hereafter be given, to the members of
the uniformed force. Such award shall be made by selection from among
said medal
winners
during the said three years preceding such award for the performance
in the judgment of the Fire Commissioner and the Chief of Department
of the most
meritorious service or act of heroism or bravery."
Legends in the Fire Department of New York begin with members who win medals.
Theirs are the stories of danger, fear, courage, honor and the greatest degree
of self-satisfaction.
Firefighters are brave, dedicated
and loyal. Respect comes in many ways to those who fight fires.
The highest honor
that can be bestowed on a New
York City firefighter is to be awarded the Doctor Harry M. Archer
Medal. It ’s reserved for the truly bravest of the brave! |
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