Vincent J. Kane Medal

Captain Keith C. Fairchild
Engine Company 266

April 7, 2002, 0119 hours,
Box 22-1334,
228 Beach 87th Street, Rockaway, Queens

Appointed to the FDNY on September 25, 1982. Previously assigned to Engines 285, 58 and 277 and Ladder 142. Brother-in-law, FF Onofrio Albergo, is assigned to Engine 298. Father-in-law, Joseph Albergo, is a retired FF from Engine 205; brother-in-law, Joseph Molfetto, is a retired Battalion Chief from Battalion 45; and uncle, William Sangirardi, is a retired FF from Engine 331. Father, William R. Fairchild (now deceased), was a Lieutenant retired from Ladder 126 and uncle, Edward Fairchild (now deceased), was a Lieutenant retired from Ladder 81. Cited for bravery twice previously. Attended Orange County Community College. Resides in Massapequa Park, Long Island, with his wife, Anne, and their two children, Christopher and Jacqueline.

The waves of the Atlantic Ocean slapped at the shoreline on April 7, 2002. Everything was peaceful in the quarters of Engine 266, located in Rockaway, Queens. Of course, the day was only an hour old. That soon changed, however, when without warning, a loud pounding on the apparatus door interrupted the early-morning serenity. A civilian reported a fire and Captain Keith Fairchild and the members of Engine 266 jumped to respond.

Engine 266 is a single Engine (Battalion is in quarters, but there is no Truck) and the fire notification came in as a verbal alarm. Thus, their response was made all the more urgent because they operated with the knowledge that the first-due Truck and other units would be delayed.

FF Mike Hynes skillfully whipped the rig onto Beach 87th Street. The residential, 21/2-story, wood-frame building, which measured 25 by 50 feet, was aglow with a heavy fire condition. Family members and NYPD officers informed the first-arriving Engine 266 members that two children were trapped inside.

Captain Keith C. Fairchild and FFs Michael Hynes, Glenn Ott, Leroy McGinnis and Mike Schumacher. photo courtesy of Captain Keith C. Fairchild

Fire was extending up the interior stairway and out the main entryway. High heat permeated the entire first floor and there was an extremely heavy smoke condition throughout the structure. Fire was auto-exposing out the first-floor windows, igniting siding on the second floor.

FFs Glenn Ott, Leroy McGinnis and Chuck Weinsheimer advanced the 13/4-inch hose-line through the front entrance. Captain Fairchild entered the occupancy with fire over his head at the main entrance. He crawled past a room involved in fire to reach a bedroom just past the stair hall. The Captain forced the bedroom door and crawled into the smoky abyss. Operating in a high heat condition with zero visibility, Captain Fairchild conducted a search and found four-year-old J.J. O’Brien in a lower bunk bed.

Cradling the tot in his arms, Captain Fairchild brought the boy toward safety. On his way out, he met Captain Michael DeRudder of Ladder 121 and told him there possibly was another victim still inside. Indeed, there was another victim, found in an adjoining room. Sadly, this person did not survive.

Captain Fairchild then radioed his Company that he was bringing the boy out and would rejoin them. He handed the youngster over to EMS personnel, who successfully performed resuscitation on the victim. The child then was transported to Nassau County Medical Center.

Captain Fairchild returned to his members on the hose-line and directed them as they extinguished all fire on the first floor. They were relieved by the members of Engine 264.

Because of Captain Fairchild’s heroic actions, while disregarding his own safety, little J.J. O’Brien can enjoy the wonders and happiness of life. For his bravery, the FDNY is proud to present Captain Fairchild with the Vincent J. Kane Medal. —JO’B