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All Firefighters know that when a run comes in for a reported fire in a private dwelling during the overnight hours, people may be sleeping and trapped by the fire. On November 19, 2003, when the members of Ladder 156--one-half of Kings Highway--were directed to respond to Box 3324 at 0140 hours, that was just the situation they encountered. As Ladder 156 arrived at 1608 Avenue O, a two-story, peaked-roof private dwelling, Battalion 33, Battalion Chief Donald Howard, transmitted the 10-75 for a fire on the first floor. As the members of the Truck were rapidly going to their positions, people leaving the building told them that other people were trapped in the fire apartment. The inside team quickly went in the side door and forced entry to the door of the fire apartment. Once that task was accomplished, the inside team realized that the fire had cut off all access to the rear of the apartment. They reported the situation to Chief Howard, including the information that the can already was depleted with no effect. A rescue by the inside team would not be possible until Engine 276 knocked down the fire. The Engine was in the process of stretching a line, but it was not yet in position to begin the attack. The rescue effort would have to be conducted by the outside team, FFs James G. McBrien, the outside vent person, and Keith Ward, detailed from Ladder 153 and who was assigned the roof position. As the outside team was making their way to the rear of the building, FF McBrien noticed a panicked woman holding an infant at the side window. She was trapped behind a window gate with smoke pushing from the top of the open window. FFs McBrien and Ward immediately started prying the gate open and FF McBrien gave a radio transmission that people were trapped. He requested a 10-foot scissor ladder and the assistance of the Truck chauffeur. When the window finally was opened--a process that was complicated because it was eight feet off the ground, at an awkward height--the 30-year-old woman and infant had disappeared back into the smoky room. The room was across from the fire room. FF McBrien ascended the ladder and climbed into the small window and began his search for the victims. He located them and handed the infant to FF Storz, the chauffeur of Ladder 156, who was waiting at the window. FF McBrien found the woman slumped over, near the window. She was lifted out of the smoky room and transported to waiting medical personnel for treatment. As the woman was being removed, FF McBrien had the presence of mind to ask her if anyone else was trapped in the bedroom, which featured Collyers’ mansion-type conditions. Initially, she said no, but when asked again, she replied that her husband was still in the room. At this point in the operation, the bedroom was almost untenable, due to the high heat and heavy smoke, but FF McBrien began another search and found the large, unconscious, 35-year-old man on the bed. FF McBrien was exhausted from his efforts, but he continued on and moved the large victim to the window and passed him out to FF Storz, who was waiting on the ladder. All three family members were transported to Brookdale Community Hospital where the mother and father were placed in the hyperbaric chamber. They remained alive for two weeks, but ultimately passed away from their injuries. The infant was released after four days in the hospital. For his actions in rescuing a family of three from their burning and smoke-filled apartment, FF James G. McBrien of Ladder 156 officially is recognized by the FDNY today and presented with the William F. Conran Medal.--NG |
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William
F. Conran Medal
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