Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal

Lieutenant John C. Fordham
Battalion 33 (assigned), Ladder Company 132 (detailed)

June 13, 2003, 2350 hours, Box 982, 139 Cambridge Avenue, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on January 16, 1994. Previously assigned to Engine 238 and Squad 270. Member of the Emerald Society and Company Officers Association.

Lieutenant John C. Fordham with members of Ladder 132, In the Eye of the Storm. photo courtesy of Lieutenant John C. Fordham

Far from its home turf on temporary assignment, Brooklyn’s Ladder Company 132 responded as first-due truck to a phone alarm of person trapped by fire at 139 Cambridge Avenue in the very old, near-downtown neighborhood of Adelphi. Despite the almost midnight hour on June 13, 2003, numerous people were at the corner, directing the Company further along the two-block street.

On arrival, Lieutenant John Fordham radioed a 10-75 signal for a working fire. He saw heavy smoke pushing from the top floor of the old, four-story, wood-frame multiple dwelling.

As the Lieutenant ascended the stairs with his forcible-entry team of FFs Joseph Donatelli on the irons and Gerald Rodman (detailed from Engine 280) on the can, he was told by a civilian on the second floor that, indeed, there was someone trapped upstairs.

Without benefit of a charged line, the inside team reached the top floor where high heat and dense smoke forced them to the floor. They donned their Scott pak face pieces and, despite zero visibility, began the search. Lieutenant Fordham made a right turn and FF Donatelli went left, toward the rear.

Lieutenant Fordham reached a slightly opened bedroom door. After much exertion against an unknown heavy obstruction, he managed to squeeze through the door. Reaching around the door, he discovered the obstruction was the fire victim, 29-year-old Robert Keller. Mr. Keller was lying face down, unconscious, not breathing and badly burned.

The Lieutenant immediately radioed a 10-45 signal for the injured victim. With the intense heat from the fire now rolling overhead, Lieutenant Fordham--on his hands and knees--tried to drag the victim away from the fire area. With Mr. Keller wedged behind the bedroom door, Lieutenant Fordham worked feverishly against time and the advancing fire to free the man.

In a final successful effort, Lieutenant Fordham dragged the victim out of the flat to the stairs, where he was met by members of Engine 280, who had stretched a hose-line to the fire floor. FFs Donatelli, Karcher and Rodman assisted the Lieutenant in removing the victim to the floor below, where members of Engine 235 began to revive him.

Lieutenant Fordham then led Engine 280 to the fire and continued the search for more victims. His members rejoined him and they began overhaul operations. Mr. Keller was taken to Cornell-Weill Burn Center where he was listed in critical condition for multiple burns.

In his endorsement, Battalion Chief James Bossert, Battalion 57, noted in part, The severe injuries of the victim are testament to the conditions in the fire room and how crucial the time factor was. Had Lieutenant Fordham waited for the protection of the hand-line, I believe the victim’s time would have run out and he would have expired.

For his actions, which were in the highest traditions of the FDNY, Lieutenant John C. Fordham is presented with the Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal.--JM

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