Company Officers Association Medal

Captain Justin C. Werner, Ladder Company 147

October 9, 2004, 1546 hours, Box 33-2481, 359 Rugby Road, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on July 14, 1979. Previously assigned to Ladder 123 and Engine 249. Father, FF Harold C. Werner, Sr., is retired from Ladder 159, and brother, Captain Harold C. Werner, Jr., is retired from Ladder 120. Holds a BA degree from LeMoyne College. Recipient of three unit citations; two Service Rating As (one for this incident); and a Service Rating B. Resides in Rockaway, Queens, with his wife, Ann-Marie, and their son, Justin, and daughters, Annie, Sarah and Charlotte.

On Saturday, October 9, 2004, as politicians nationwide battled in the final weeks of the fall campaign season and the City waited to see if the New York Yankees again would battle the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series, Captain Justin Werner and the members of Ladder 147 once again proved why they are called “Da Pride A Flatbush.”

At about a quarter to four that afternoon, Captain Werner and Ladder 147 were called to a reported fire at Box 2481, 359 Rugby Road. Arriving as the first-due ladder company--along with their housemates from Engine 281--they found a 40- by 60-foot, two-and-one-half-story, Queen Anne-type, wood-frame building fully involved. Heavy fire was venting out the exposure #2 windows on all floors, while heavy, black smoke was pouring from every window.

Engine 281 immediately transmitted a 10-75 signal. Captain Werner, after ordering the chauffeur to position the apparatus in front of the fire building, requested an additional truck due to the presence of window bars on the first floor of the building.

As Engine 281 worked to get a hose-line into operation, Captain Werner, accompanied by FFs Brian Gardner and Patrick Higgins, proceeded to the first-floor entrance to begin their primary search. Entering the building, they encountered a heavy smoke condition. During the course of this search (for possible victims and the fire location), Battalion 41 informed Captain Werner via handie-talkie that a civilian was reported missing on the first floor.

Moving quickly and with little regard for his personal safety, Captain Werner moved toward the rear of the apartment where he found heavy fire coming from the left rear bedroom. With conditions rapidly deteriorating, the Captain informed Engine 281 of the fire’s location and continued his search into the right rear bedroom. Through high heat and a very heavy smoke condition, coupled without the benefit of a charged hose-line, Captain Werner aggressively searched the right rear bedroom where he found Kisnasami Ramsami, 78, in an unconscious state and not breathing.

Captain Werner immediately signaled a 10-45 code to Battalion 41 via his handie-talkie and began to remove the victim past the fire. At this point, FF Gardner assisted Captain Werner and they were able to evacuate Mr. Ramsami to the street. With the victim now safely outside, Captain Werner re-entered the building to finish the primary search. Mr. Ramsami was rushed to Kings County Hospital in critical condition where he was hospitalized for more than a week before his condition stabilized.

Had it not been for the bravery and expertise of Captain Werner, the outcome of this incident may have been very different. If the fire had intensified, Captain Werner’s primary means of egress would have been cut off. With the bars on the first-floor window, Captain Werner and Mr. Ramsami would have been trapped. In his report on the incident, the Deputy Chief of the 15th Division stated, “Captain Werner’s efforts are the only reason Mr. Ramsami survived the fire that consumed his house.” Additionally, the Chief noted, “Captain Werner exhibited...bravery and initiative to overcome the obstacles presented to him on this fateful day.”

In recognition of this selfless act, the New York City Fire Department is proud to honor Captain Justin Werner today with the Company Officers Association Medal.—DH