Thomas F. Dougherty Medal

Firefighter Timothy S. McCauley
Ladder Company 78

May 23, 2002, 1224 hours
Box 0092
163-65 Brighton Avenue, Staten Island

Appointed to the FDNY on February 24, 1979. Previously assigned to Ladder 40 and Engines 37 and 55. Brother-in-law, Artie Truscelli, is a retired FF from Ladder 78. Member of the Emerald Society. Cited for bravery seven times previously, including the John H. Prentice Medal. Honored by the One Hundred Year Association. Resides on Staten Island with his three children, Sean-Kelly, Heather and Chelsea.

Firefighter Timothy S. McCauley responded with his unit, Ladder Company 78, which was dispatched as the first-due Truck to a reported building collapse with person trapped in New Brighton, Staten Island, at 1224 hours on May 23, 2002. Arriving a mere three minutes later, Ladder 78’s Captain, Gerard Tait, confirmed the incident and began one of FDNY’s most unusual confined space rescue attempts.

The scene was a three-story, wood-frame, residential dwelling under construction at 163 Brighton Avenue. A concrete mixer truck, which had just poured a basement floor, struck the building, knocking out bracing and precipitating a complete collapse.

Site of Staten Island building collapse and successful rescue, thanks to FF Timothy S. McCauley and other FDNY members. photo courtesy of Rob Sollett, Staten Island Advance

Captain Tait and FF Stephen Fenley--a 1999 James Gordon Bennett Medal winner--shone their handlights into a two- by three-foot opening at the front of the building and spotted a workman in a void in a basement that now was compressed to a height of approximately 14 inches. Guermo Duran, age 30, was pinned by a combined pancake and lean-to collapse, face down in four inches of wet concrete, with his knees pressed against his chest and three floors of lumber on top of and around him.

The Captain decided that FFs Fenley and Timothy McCauley should enter the void to assist the victim and check the stability of the structure. They reported that shoring and airbags would be needed to protect both the victim and rescuers. These items were needed urgently, to protect against the possibility of a secondary collapse.

FF McCauley worked with Rescue 5’s FF Anthony Cavalieri at the victim’s side throughout the operation. FF McCauley placed Ladder 78’s 34.7-ton-capacity airbag to the right of the victim, despite the close quarters and the fact that FF McCauley was lying on his belly in wet concrete.

Meanwhile, FF Fenley, from another position, moved the airbag slightly, where it could be used later to free Mr. Duran. With a second airbag from Rescue 5, FFs Cavalieri and McCauley also shored up the area around the victim.

When nylon webbing was passed to FF McCauley to place over the victim’s hands as a secure point for his extrication, Mr. Duran--who spoke only Spanish--removed the webbing. This forced FF McCauley to use his own body as a secure point, as he grabbed Mr. Duran’s hands to drag him backward, where he and FF Cavalieri could place the extricated man on a backboard after the airbag lifting had freed him.

In all, rescuers performed four cribbing and lifting operations during this successful rescue effort. FFs McCauley and Cavalieri spent about 50 tense minutes in dangerously unstable voids and “at great personal risk” throughout the operation. After decontamination under EMS supervision, FF McCauley and his fellow rescuers were taken with Mr. Duran to St. Vincent’s Hospital for examination and treatment.

FF McCauley remained on medical leave for 11 days, to recover from a strained back and chemical burns to both arms as a result of the caustic concrete. Today, he is recognized for his heroic efforts at this incident and is awarded the Thomas F. Dougherty Medal.—JM