Henry D. Brookman Medal

Firefighter Brian T. Fox
Ladder Company 44

July 19, 2003, 0852 hours, Box 22-4701, 1455 Townsend Avenue, Bronx

Appointed to the FDNY on May 9, 1993. Previously assigned to Engine 92. Father, Thomas Fox, Deputy Chief and Division 6 Commander, is retired from the 6th Division. Member of the Emerald and Holy Name Societies. Cited for bravery once previously. Holds a bachelor’s degree in science/finance from St. John’s University.

Ladder 44 operates at an eight-alarm fire.

photo by Matthew P. Daly

On one of those dog days of summer, July 19, 2003, at 0852 hours, Ladder 44 was dispatched first-due to a building fire at 1455 Townsend Avenue in the borough of the Bronx. On arrival, heavy smoke conditions already were showing from numerous third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-story windows. The blaze quickly went to a second alarm.

Hoses had to be back-stretched due to an inoperable hydrant in front of the fire building. Members of Ladder 44 went about their assignments: forced entry, ventilation and search and rescue, all of which were performed under extremely hazardous conditions.

FF Brian Fox had been assigned to the outside vent position and noticed an unusually large amount of heavy smoke pushing up from a top-floor apartment in the front of the fire building on the exposure #4 side. Numerous civilians were exiting via the fire escape. He immediately shifted his attention to assisting these fleeing fire victims to safety and then learned that some people still were trapped on the top floor.

FF Fox crawled on his belly in furnace-like conditions to the location of those trapped, apartment 5-D, in the rear of the building. He put himself at great personal risk when he passed a dangerous and unpredictable intense fire condition with consuming heat and blinding, dense smoke, without the protection of a charged hose-line.

Ultimately, the Firefighter found three victims, including a seven-month-old infant. FF Fox immediately transmitted a signal 10-45. He shielded the infant--already badly burned and unconscious--from the intense smoke and heat because she was the most vulnerable. Simultaneously, he reassured the two semi-conscious and badly burned women--the infant’s mother and grandmother--that help was on the way and they would be removed safely.

FF Fox administered first aid to the infant, brought her to the street and waited for EMS to transport young Denisia Santos to Cornell Medical Center. He then returned to the fire building and rejoined his unit to continue operations.
FF Fox displayed initiative, courage and determination in effecting the rescue of a seven-month-old infant while communicating the 10-45 and standing fast to protect the second and third victims. Without a doubt, he displayed personal initiative, valor and tenacity, while placing himself at unusual personal risk--without benefit of a hose-line--to save one victim and ensure the rescue of two other victims.

All three victims are alive today, thanks to the heroism of FF Fox. For his bravery, FF Brian T. Fox is presented with the Henry D. Brookman Medal.--TDM

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