Emily Trevor/Mary B. Warren Medal

Firefighter Jeffery G. Cool, Rescue Company 3

June 12, 2004, 1907 hours, Box 75-2334, 851 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx

Appointed to the FDNY on July 5, 1992. Previously assigned to Ladder 19. Recipient of the Daily News Hero of the Month Award; Firehouse Magazine Heroism Award; two unit citations; and two Class II ratings, one for this incident. Member of the New York Air National Guard and an active-duty Air Force Firefighter for three years. Resides in Garnerville, New York, with his wife, Jill, and sons, Jeffery, Jr., and Dylan.

On the evening of June 12, 2004, an alarm was transmitted for a fire on the top floor of 851 Bruckner Boulevard, a four-story, non-fireproof multiple dwelling. Due to the many phone calls reporting the fire and additional information stating that people were trapped on the top floor, the Bronx dispatcher did not hesitate and started out Rescue Company 3.

On arrival, Lieutenant Kevin Williams, Rescue 3, could see civilians being removed from the front top-floor windows via the aerial ladder. Simultaneously, radio reports from the roof stated there were people trapped at the top-floor windows in a light shaft between the fire building and exposure #4.

Battalion Chief Bart Codd, Battalion 3, directed Rescue 3 to the roof of the fire building through exposure #4. In addition to the Officer, FFs Jeffery Cool, Patrick McKenna, Michael Tierney and Richard Bailey made their way to the roof. They found heavy fire venting from the bulkhead and fire that had spread to a large area of the roof itself.

Lieutenant Williams, hearing screams coming from inside the shaft, looked down into the thick, black smoke to find a woman hanging out the fire apartment window. She was in a panicked state. With thick, black smoke boiling out over her head, she was screaming her intention to jump.

At the same time, there was a man at another window, screaming for help due to the same conditions. He knelt down below sill level, trying to stay below the smoke and heat. FFs Cool and Bailey quickly began to set up for their lifesaving rope rescue operations as FF Tierney tried to calm the victims. Knowing that time was crucial, Lieutenant Williams directed FF Cool to proceed to remove the man and then transmitted an urgent message to Acting Deputy Chief Kevin Corrigan, Division 6, that a lifesaving rope operation was underway on the roof and additional help was needed.

The difficult task of removal was compounded because the fire now had extended to the area of the roof directly behind Rescue 3’s lowering point, eliminating any possible substantial object. With no other options, FF Bailey positioned himself by lying flat on his back, with his feet braced up against the parapet wall.

FFs Louis Schaefer and Thomas Baez of Squad 41 arrived on the roof. They were advised to assist in anchoring FF Bailey. With his preparations complete, FF Cool attached the hook of the lifesaving rope to his personal harness and mounted the parapet in readiness to be lowered down into the shaft. FF Cool then went over the side into the shaft to the window location of a frightened Anthony Perry.

At the window, the Firefighter found conditions rapidly deteriorating as the fire was burning through the door, hopelessly trapping the victim. Frozen with fear, Mr. Perry could not assist with his own removal. FF Cool attempted to pick up the man, who weighed more than 200 pounds. With all of his strength, he was able to lift the victim up and over the sill and then held onto him tightly as he pushed out of the window. Victim and rescuer now were dangling on the rope, four stories above the ground. FF Cool called out to be lowered. Lieutenant Williams gave voice commands to FF Bailey to lower the pair until they were safely on the ground. A life had been saved due to a highly dedicated individual and a highly motivated company. Mr. Perry then was delivered safely to the hospital.

This rescue was performed under very heavy fire conditions, while another lifesaving rope rescue was being performed simultaneously by FF McKenna, also of Rescue 3. FF Cool operated in conditions that can only be described as placing himself in a position of great personal risk.

FF Cool risked his own life to save another. Today, his actions are acknowledged. It is with great pride, the FDNY honors FF Jeffery Cool of “Big Blue,” Rescue Company 3, with the Emily Trevor/Mary B. Warren Medal.—TPW