Chief John J. McElligott Medal/ Fitzpatrick and Frisby Award

Captain Wayne M. Trivelli
Division 8 (assigned)
Ladder Company 78 (detailed)

December 26, 2002, 1203 hours
Box 75-0081
281 York Avenue, Staten Island

Appointed to the FDNY on July 5, 1984. Previously assigned to Engines 163, 220 and 157. Member of the Holy Name Society and the Columbia Association. Attended Wagner College. Resides in Staten Island with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children, Megan and Luke.

The Christmas rush finally was over and the members of The Hot Corner were hoping that things would return to normal. Captain Wayne Trivelli was working in Ladder 78 during the day tour. The morning equipment check was finished and the paperwork was completed if the day remained uneventful. But the Captain had spent enough years on the Fire Department to know that the unexpected event usually is the reason why the Fire Department is called.

With Engine 155 out of quarters, the house seemed even quieter. But that calm soon was broken by the sound of a neighbor banging on the front door. The man was screaming that the house around the corner was on fire. The house watch turned out the Truck and at 1203 hours, Ladder 78 reported to the dispatcher that they were responding to a fire in a private dwelling.

Captain Wayne Trivelli (center) with his crew--FFs Ray Guerriero, Dave Nolan, Tom Meyers and Frank Corcillo. photo courtesy of Captain Wayne Trivelli

In the short time it took to reach 281 York Avenue, Captain Trivelli barely had time to report a 10-75 to the dispatcher for a fire in a two-story private dwelling. Neighbors were reporting that a woman and child lived in the house and had not been seen.

With the members of the forcible entry team--FFs Guy Sconzo on the irons and Edward McCann (Engine 159) with the can--Captain Trivelli entered the front door. They were forced to the floor by a heavy smoke condition. The main body of fire was in the kitchen, but due to a service window that opened into the hallway, the flames had begun to lap out into the hall and endanger the stairs.

Instructing FF McCann to use the extinguisher to hold back the flames, the Captain crawled into the bedroom on their right and saw that the flames also were spreading to the open area of the downstairs apartment. Crawling in under the rising heat, he was forced to search by touch in the jet-black smoke that filled the bedroom. Captain Trivelli’s search soon was rewarded by the discovery of Samantha Romandino, unconscious on the floor.

Transmitting a 10-45 signal, Captain Trivelli called for FFs Sconzo and McCann to help with her removal. They swiftly removed her to the front porch where they realized she was not breathing. Captain Trivelli had hoped the Engine would be right behind them to tame the fire that now rapidly was gaining control of the entire first floor, but they still were not on the scene.

While FFs Sconzo and McCann tried desperately to revive the victim, Captain Trivelli knew that he was the only hope for the young girl still missing. Returning to the bedroom, the Captain was pushed further toward the front of the house by the flames now lapping across the ceiling from the kitchen area. Crawling under the intense heat in zero visibility, he was able to locate the bed in the back corner of the bedroom.

On the bed, the Officer felt the limp form of young Laura Romandino. Transmitting a second 10-45, Captain Trivelli held the girl underneath him to protect her from the flames that were almost upon them as he crawled toward the door. When he reached the front porch, other Firefighters grabbed the child and worked feverishly to revive her as Captain Trivelli collapsed from exhaustion.

The members of Engine 155 arrived and began to move in on the blaze that threatened to consume the entire building. As the flames were pushed back, Captain Trivelli’s attention was focused on the Firefighters working on the two victims, who still were not showing any signs of life. With the arrival of EMS personnel, both victims were rushed to St. Vincent’s Medical Center. EMS personnel continued to work on them while en route.

Unfortunately, in spite of the brave efforts of Captain Trivelli and the other FDNY members--and even with the best medical attention available--they were unable to save these two victims. For his courage and tenacity in entering the fire area and re-entering it without a charged line in place, the Fire Department is proud to present the Chief John J. McElligott Medal/Fitzpatrick and Frisby Award to Captain Wayne Trivelli. —JT