American Legion Post 930/Mark M. Wohlfeld Memorial Medal

Firefighter Thomas M. Ryan
Ladder Company 155

February 15, 2002, 1134 hours
Box 75-8663
153-26 119th Avenue, Queens

Appointed to the FDNY on July 5, 1988. Previously assigned to Tower Ladder 1. Cousin, William McCutchan, is a retired Lieutenant from Ladder 143. Cited for bravery once previously. Resides in North Bellmore, Long Island, with his wife, Susan, and their children, Patricia, 19, and Thomas, 14.

The day tour of February 15, 2002, had been an average one for the members of Ladder 155. They had checked all the tools and equipment and gone on a few morning runs, but experienced no threatening fires. FF Thomas M. Ryan was assigned the forcible entry position for this tour, but he had no idea of the dangerous position in which he soon would find himself.

At 1134 hours, the teleprinter sprang to life as it reported a fire at 153-26 119th Avenue. FF Ryan and the other members of Ladder 155 donned their bunker gear and raced out of quarters as the dispatchers reported additional calls for a fire at that location.

FF Ryan in Ladder 155’s bucket in front of his firehouse. photo courtesy of FF Thomas M. Ryan

FF Ryan knew that the more calls received, the greater the chance that this was a major fire. When the Firefighters pulled up in front of the two-story, private dwelling, the occupants who had escaped the blaze were screaming that their handicapped mother was trapped on the second floor.

FF Ryan entered the house with FF Cliff Dimuro, the can man of Ladder 155, and Lieutenant Daniel Karp of Engine 311, who was working in Ladder 155 that day. The acrid, black smoke and high heat condition they encountered upon entering the house made the task of finding the stairway tough enough, but FF Ryan soon realized that climbing the stairs was going to be even more difficult.

The main body of fire was in the room at the immediate top of the stairs and the victim was reported to be in the front of the building. Feeling his way up the stairs in the blinding smoke, FF Ryan exposed himself to the full fury of the fire as he squeezed his way around the newel post at the top of the stairs and hurried down the hall.

The first-due Engines were delayed, so FF Ryan knew that he had precious little time to find and remove the victim. He also knew that the delay meant there was no water to stem the advancing flames. Groping his way down the hall, the Firefighter soon discovered the unconscious form of 79-year-old Edith Burns and realized that she already had been badly burned.

Unable to stand up or even kneel in the oppressive heat, FF Ryan realized that he could only drag her back toward the stairs. With flames now lapping out the bedroom door, he realized that he would have to shield her with his own body as they made the turn and half-slid and half-fell down the stairs.

Ignoring his own injuries, FF Ryan continued to drag the victim down the stairs as the first Engine was stretching a line to the fire. Nearing exhaustion, he was able to get the victim out the front door and hand her over to Firefighter Schmitt and other members of Engine 275 who began working to revive her.

Mrs. Burns was revived and then was transported by EMS to Jacobi Hospital. Due to the severity of the smoke inhalation she had suffered, she was placed in the hyperbaric chamber at Jacobi. The smoke inhalation and second- and third-degree burns she received attest to the intensity of the fire. The woman endured a lengthy hospital stay for treatment.

For the great bravery and perseverance that he displayed in finding and removing this victim, the Fire Department is proud to award the American Legion Post 930/Mark M. Wohlfeld Memorial Medal to FF Thomas M. Ryan. —JT