Dr. John F. Connell Medal

Firefighter Michael A. Pannell
Ladder Company 79

April 5, 2003, 0711 hours, Box 22-721, 1939 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

Appointed to the FDNY on July 28, 2002. Cousin, FF Fred DiCrecento, is assigned to Ladder 108. Member of the Emerald Society. Cited for bravery once previously. Attended the College of Staten Island.

As Staten Island’s North Shore becomes more populated, older buildings are leveled or renovated to make way for newer ones. The older, unsafe buildings are sealed to await their fate. But these buildings are seen as viable housing for the homeless. When a fire starts in one of these structures, it makes the Firefighter’s job more dangerous. When the homeless are caught sleeping in their makeshift surroundings by a fire that had an unnoticed head start, the outcome can be deadly.

FF Michael A. Pannell was working the night tour in Ladder 79 when a fire ignited in a vacant commercial storefront with apartments above. Ladder 79 was notified by a phone alarm at 0711 hours on the morning of April 5, 2003, of a fire on the second floor of 1939 Richmond Terrace. Members knew they were going to work when the first-arriving unit reported a 10-75. However, that didn’t prepare FF Pannell and the other members for the amount of fire they encountered on arrival.

When they pulled up as the second-due truck in front of the building, Ladder 79 members could see heavy smoke pushing out all the windows on the second floor and flames lapping out the windows in the left rear. The severity of the fire prompted Battalion Chief Robert Miuccio, Battalion 22, to transmit a second alarm on their arrival.

With less than a year on the job, FF Pannell was the junior man and assigned the can position. He and FF Joseph Chin--who had the forcible entry position--followed covering Lieutenant Thomas Costa into the building. The blinding smoke made it difficult, but they were able to locate the stairs to the second floor, thanks to a drill held a few days earlier that had familiarized them with the building layout. When they reached the second floor, the Lieutenant used the thermal imaging camera to determine the fire’s location.

During the drill, members had seen evidence indicative of squatters in the building. These individuals would have to be found in the thick, acrid smoke. Lieutenant Costa ordered the Firefighters to search to the left as he searched on the right.
With no hand-line yet in place, the fire continued to grow, increasing the heat, lowering visibility and making members’ search more difficult. As they made their way down the hall, they encountered the fire in a space being used as a bedroom. The fire already was burning the ceiling as they began their search.

FF Pannell went right and FF Chin went left, where he was struck by a chunk of the falling ceiling. Quickly recovering, he continued his search, sweeping the floor with his Halligan tool. FF Pannell swept with his hook to complete their search of the room before conditions became untenable.

As he crawled in the increasing heat, FF Pannell’s flashlight shone on the face of an unconscious male. Transmitting a 10-45 signal, FF Pannell yelled to FF Chin and together, they were able to carry the victim back toward the stairs.
FF Pannell grabbed the victim around the upper torso and FF Chin grabbed his feet. They were joined by Lieutenant Costa and guided back to the top of the stairs. They paused briefly at the top of the stairs to check the man’s vital signs. With no signs of life, FF Pannell gave the victim two quick rescue breaths and FF Chin gave him some quick chest compressions. It was evident the man needed immediate medical attention.

Because conditions were rapidly deteriorating, the rescuers swiftly carried the victim down the stairs. They removed him from the building and into the waiting arms of EMS personnel. Suffering from second- and third-degree burns over half his body and severe smoke inhalation, the man was rushed to Saint Vincent’s Medical Center.

If not for the brave and swift actions taken by FF Pannell and other Firefighters to locate and remove this victim, he had no chance for survival. For the courage and determination displayed in this dangerous rescue, the FDNY is proud to present the Dr. John F. Connell Medal to FF Michael A. Pannell.--JT

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