William F. Conran Medal

Firefighter John J. Sweeney, Jr.
Squad Company 270

March 8, 2002, 0035 hours
Box 33-6042
95-26 118th Street, Queens

Appointed to the FDNY on July 11, 1981. Previously assigned to Engine 233. Father, John J. Sweeney, is a retired FF from Ladder 170. Member of the Emerald Society. Cited for bravery four times previously. Resides in East Rockaway, Long Island, with his wife, Sheila, and their three children, Jack, Erin and Katie.

Members of the FDNY’s Squad Companies have a unique role in the Department’s mission. They are trained and equipped for special operations and hazardous materials incidents. But frequently, they assist an Incident Commander at a fire as an extra unit that can be used for any task. In the early-morning hours of March 8, 2002, this versatility proved its worth when FF John J. Sweeney, Jr., of Squad 270, found and removed an unconscious fire victim.

Squad 270 was operating at an EMS incident when Queens fire dispatchers began transmitting a Box for fire in the Richmond Hill Sikh Cultural Center and Temple. The dispatchers were relaying to the responding Companies that they had received numerous calls reporting a building fire and people trapped. Battalion Chief Howard Carlson, Battalion 51, arrived on the scene and transmitted a 10-75 for heavy fire in a 21/2-story, wood-frame temple. Squad 270 members completed their tasks at the EMS incident and were assigned to the fire.

On arrival, the members reported in to Chief Carlson, who advised Lieutenant Robert Chuisano (covering in Squad 270) of conditions and reports of numerous missing civilians. Chief Carlson ordered Squad 270 to attempt a search from the exposure #4 side of the building.

FF “Jack” Sweeney takes a break from overhauling. photo courtesy of Lieutenant Chris Rigoli

Lieutenant Chuisano split the Company into two teams. Lieutenant Chuisano and FF John Sweeney, the can member, proceeded to the first floor. They headed down an alley on the exposure #4 side and found a door leading to the rear of the fire building. Heavy black smoke and heat were pushing from every opening on the side and rear of the building. This condition indicated that the smoke next would turn to flame.

Without the protection of a hose-line, Lieutenant Chuisano and FF Sweeney entered the side door and attempted to start their search. They were forced down to the floor by a high heat condition. Unknown to the members at the time, the fire had originated below them in the basement, thus causing the high heat.

Lieutenant Chuisano ordered the outside team from Squad 270 to check the conditions in the basement. FF Sweeney tried again to search the first floor. He notified Lieutenant Chuisano that he had located a door that led to the front of the fire building. FF Sweeney continued his search despite the punishing conditions. Approximately 27 feet into the building, the Firefighter found an unconscious victim, Mr. Rattan Harvinde. FF Sweeney notified Lieutenant Chuisano and began to drag the victim out.

Engine 308, located at the front of the building, began to move in with their hose-line, darkening the fire down. Their location was opposite FF Sweeney’s position with the victim. To protect the injured man, FF Sweeney was forced to his belly, while trying to shield Mr. Harvinde from the searing heat.

An Urgent message was transmitted to Chief Carlson, advising that a victim was found and being removed. FFs Frank Paliotta and John Fordham from Squad 270 went to the door of the fire building, met FF Sweeney and assisted him in removing the victim. They brought the injured man to the street where they turned him over to EMS personnel for treatment. He was transported to Jamaica Hospital where he was treated and hospitalized for severe smoke inhalation and second-degree burns.

Chief Carlson noted in his reports that FF Sweeney performed this rescue under severe conditions, without the protection of a hose-line. He searched deep into the fire building and located the victim. FF John J. Sweeney, Jr.’s, actions were in the highest traditions and standards of this Department and he is being honored today with the William F. Conran Medal.—AP