John H. Prentice Medal
Firefighter Michael A. Checco
Ladder Company 133
April 6, 2003, 1108 hours, Box 75-5013, 106-36 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Queens
Appointed to the FDNY on November 12, 1989. Previously assigned to Engine
254 and Ladder 153. Uncle, Captain Robert Checco, is retired and was the designated
Acting Battalion Chief in charge of the Division of Fire Department Buildings
and cousin, FF James Checco, is retired from Engine 295. Member of the Emerald
Society. Cited for bravery once previously and is the recipient of the 2003
Firefighters Quarterly award. Holds a BS degree in business management from
St. Francis College.
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After battling a taxpayer fire
at Queens Box 8843, 110-25 157th Street, on November 4, 2003, members
of the Merrick Boulevard Magic take a break. They are, left to right,
FFs Weissheier, Burack and Checco, Lieutenant Harty and FFs Corcoran
and Moon.
photo courtesy of FF Michael A. Checco |
On the early spring morning of April 6, 2003, at 1108 hours, Ladder 133 was
at multi-unit drill when the Company received an ERS alarm
for a residential fire at 106-36 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard.
The Truck was first due and while en route, the members of
the Company, including the irons man, FF Michael A. Checco,
were informed by the dispatcher that numerous calls were being
received and people reportedly were trapped on the second
floor.
Battalion 50, Battalion Chief Michael Wilkinson, arrived at
the Box before the Engine and Truck and transmitted the 10-75.
Heavy smoke was pushing from the second floor of the two-story,
non-fireproof building, which contained a day care on the
first floor and an apartment on the second floor. The apartment
had been subdivided into three SRO (single room occupancy)
bedrooms, each with its own locked door.
The Chief made an attempt to search the second floor, but
was driven back by the fire and heat. After arriving at the
Box, the members of 133 Truck found that the fire was in control
of the front bedroom and had extended down the hallway to
the entrance door from the stairway.
Lieutenant Steven Berube ordered FF Smith to use the can to
hold back the advancing fire. FF Checco informed his Officer
that he was going to make a search. He made a push past the
fire to search the rear rooms of the burning apartment. FF
Checco made his way down the hallway under punishing conditions
and then searched the bathroom. Once completed, FF Checco
re-entered the hallway where conditions were deteriorating
and began a search of the kitchen, which was exposed to the
open hallway.
The kitchen was full of smoke and had a high heat condition.
FF Checco informed Lieutenant Berube via handie-talkie that
the heat was very intense and at a critical point. Simultaneously,
FF Smith informed Lieutenant Berube that the can was almost
empty and having little effect in holding back the fire.
As FF Checco was continuing his search in the punishing conditions,
he found a locked door to the rear bedroom. Acting alone and
in the extremely difficult conditions--as evidenced by the
fact that he could not rise high enough to force the door
conventionally--FF Checco used his tools from floor level
to smash his way through the door. The damaged door came off
the hinges and did not provide any protection as FF Checco,
who was still exposed to the extreme heat, conducted a rapid
search of the bedroom.
As he searched atop the bed, FF Checco discovered the motionless
body of 39-year-old Jeffrey Heiens. He immediately removed
the victim to the floor and in the process, Mr. Heiens regained
consciousness. FF Checco knew that he and the victim could
not exit the way he came in, so he assisted Mr. Heiens to
the rear bedroom window and radioed for a portable ladder
to be positioned. Ladder 133’s outside vent man, FF
Nickola, was positioning a portable ladder, which was complicated
by numerous obstacles.
At this time, Engine 275 had a hose-line in position and began
attacking the fire. Once the fire had darkened down, FF Checco
observed that he might be able to remove the victim through
the interior. He proceeded to lift the semi-conscious man
onto his back and carried him toward the front, then down
the stairs and out of the fire building.
Once outside, FF Checco placed Mr. Heiens on an EMS stretcher
and EMS personnel aided the victim. Mr. Heiens was transported
to Queens General Hospital where he was admitted for smoke
inhalation. Due to additional reports of other people missing,
FF Checco returned to the second floor to continue his search
for victims. He was granted medical leave for a strained back.
For his actions, which were in the finest traditions of the
FDNY, FF Michael A. Checco is being honored today with the
John H. Prentice Medal.--NG
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