Emily Trevor/Mary B. Warren Medal

Lieutenant Robert P. Strafer
Ladder Company 4

October 31, 2002, 0151 hours
Box 75-833
416 West 47th Street, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on July 11, 1981. Previously assigned to Ladders 21 and 105. Member of the Holy Name and Emerald Societies. Cited for bravery seven times previously, including the Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal in 1994. Resides on Staten Island with his wife, Marilyn, and their children, Katie, 21, Kristin, 19, and Bob, 17.

Ladder Company 4--The Pride of Midtown--is consistently one of the busiest units in the City. Fortunately, the revelry of Halloween did not adversely affect the pace of the evening’s various runs and, shortly after midnight, Lieutenant Robert Strafer finally was able to attend to his administrative duties. When the tone alarm sounded at 0151 hours, the members of 4 Truck responded to a telephone alarm of a fire in an old law tenement, a few blocks from their firehouse.

While the Company was en route to the location, an announcement was made via the Department radio that a second source had been received reporting a fire. Lieutenant Strafer’s experience told him that the potential for civilian injuries was high because, at this early-morning hour, people normally would be asleep in bed.

Lieutenant Strafer and Ladder Company 4 operate at smoky blaze. photo courtesy of Lieutenant Robert P. Strafer

Three minutes after leaving quarters, Lieutenant Strafer and his crew reached their destination and immediately entered the 25- x 75-foot, five-story, non-fireproof structure. Although no fire was visible at the front of the building, the panicky residents coming down the interior stairs advised that there was fire in a rear apartment on the third floor. FF Jimmy Walsh, who was assigned to the outside vent position, confirmed this information. He also reported that locked window gates prevented outside access from the fire escape.

Accompanied by his forcible entry team of FFs Greg Gustavino and Thomas Hunt, Lieutenant Strafer soon reached the triple-locked door of the flat. After using a rabbit tool, Halligan tool and axe to force the door, entry still was impeded because of a chain lock. The chain lock made it obvious that someone was trapped inside the burning apartment.

Once the door was opened, Lieutenant Strafer entered. However, a narrow, cluttered hallway slowed his advance. Fire was burning unchecked and extending deeper into the apartment. At this point, disregarding his own safety and knowing there was only a 21/2-gallon water extinguisher to hold back the flames, Lieutenant Strafer dropped to his knees, crawled beneath the fire--deep into the thick smoke--and commenced a search for victims.

After traveling the length of the flat, Lieutenant Strafer found 51-year-old Ms. Peggy Parifam, who was unconscious and badly burned. She was on the floor next to a bed. Lieutenant Strafer started dragging the woman to safety, but had difficulty because of the victim’s weight and the other obstacles. Summoning all of his strength and with great determination, the Lieutenant continued to drag Ms. Parifam through an extremely hostile and dangerous environment to safety.

When he got halfway toward the front door, members of Engine 54 started hitting the fire with their hose-line and 4 Truck’s forcible entry team assisted in bringing the victim to awaiting EMS personnel. The woman was taken to New York Hospital-Cornell Burn Center with second- and third-degree burns over 30 percent of her body.

Although a severe and rapidly extending fire condition was present, coupled with extremely high heat and zero visibility, Lieutenant Strafer disregarded his personal safety and performed a difficult and dangerous rescue. In doing so, he suffered a back injury that necessitated he undergo extensive medical treatment. For his demonstration of leadership, skill and personal courage, the FDNY proudly awards the Emily Trevor/Mary B. Warren Medal to Lieutenant Robert P. Strafer. —BDG