Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Medal

Firefighter Dennis C. Durnin
Ladder Company 3

February 16, 2002, 2244 hours
Box 75-526
15 West 12th Street, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on February 16, 1999. Cited for bravery once previously. Served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger and saw action during Operation Desert Storm, 1991. Holds an Associate’s degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance from Alfred State College. Resides in Lindenhurst, Long Island.

It may have been bitter cold outside on the night of February 16th, but at least one member of “Recon 3” was feeling warm. FF Dennis Durnin was celebrating his anniversary with the FDNY as he turned Firefighter Third Grade. Little did he know that his anniversary was to become quite eventful.

Shortly before 2300 hours, the Union Square firehouse tone alarm sounded as the house watch computer spewed out the details. Ladder Company 3 was ordered to respond to a telephone alarm for a fire a few short blocks away on West 12th Street.

Members of Ladder 3 and Deputy Chief Richard Burban join FF Dennis C. Durnin (back row, right) after a job well-done. photo courtesy of FF Dennis C. Durnin

When the Company arrived at the large, 12-story apartment house, there was no sign of fire. Nevertheless, the members of the inside forcible entry team grabbed their tools and rapidly proceeded to the fifth floor. When Lieutenant Reid Jantz and FFs Dennis Durnin and William Rautenstrauch reached their destination, they were confronted by heavy smoke pushing from an apartment doorway.

The team quickly started to force open the door--only to be confronted with a blank wall. The door had been sealed when two apartments were combined into one. Without delay, the team moved down the hallway to a second door and forced it open. After doing so, they were hit immediately with extremely high heat and an intensifying smoke condition.

Dropping down to their stomachs, the team entered the flat, crawled through two rooms and came upon a wall of flames blowing out of a large, walk-in closet. Although the fire extended into the three-foot-wide hallway--on his own--FF Durnin pushed beneath the fire to a rear bedroom.

Operating in a near-zero visibility environment and high heat condition--which caused the paint on the walls and ceiling to blister--FF Durnin swept the floor from side to side as he searched for any victims. He finally located an unconscious female on a bed in the center of the room. The Firefighter pulled the woman from the bed, reversed his direction and, with the fire continuing to blow over his head, dragged her back down the hall.

Finally, with the help of FF Rautenstrauch, he reached the front of the apartment. Once there, he radioed Engine 24 to have a resuscitator ready to treat the victim. Subsequently, the woman, suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation, was transported by EMS personnel to the Cornell Burn Center.

Operating at considerable personal risk and without the protection of a hose-line, FF Durnin demonstrated bravery and determination in his rescue, which clearly saved the life of another person. Because his actions uphold the highest traditions of the FDNY, as well as the entire fire service, the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Medal is proudly awarded to FF Dennis C. Durnin. —BDG