NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation Medal

Engine Company 298

September 6, 2004, 2339 hours, Box 75-2343, 150-82 87th Avenue, Queens

Lieutenant Michael D. Golini
FF Daniel C. Mandel (Engine 303)
FF James Lagattolla
FF Thomas Carbone
FF Frank R. Tepedino (Ladder 127)
FF Harry F. Schoppmann, III

Coordination and teamwork are key elements of firefighting. During the 6-x-9 tour on September 6, 2004, the members of Engine 298, the “Hillside Hurricanes,” proved how important these elements are when they were forced to operate alone at a raging house fire.

At 2339 hours, the engine company turned out, first-due to a reported fire in a private dwelling. Normally, the unit responds from its firehouse along with Ladder Co. 127 and Battalion 50, but on this night, Ladder 127 was out of service. The response assignment for the Box was two engines, one ladder and Battalion 50.

When Engine 298 arrived on-scene, they radioed a 10-75 to Queens dispatchers and reported fire showing from the second- and top-floor windows of a 21/2-story private dwelling. Besides the visible fire, the unit was faced with several trapped victims showing at the windows on the upper floors.

Engine 298 did what an engine company does best: get water on the fire to protect trapped victims and allow them to escape. Engine 298’s chauffeur located and connected to a nearby hydrant as the other Firefighters stretched a 13/4-inch hose-line.

There were three victims huddled at the front attic window and one victim at the front, second-floor window. Intense fire--mirroring blowtorch-type conditions--was coming out of the windows on the exposure #4 side and seriously threatening the house next door. Engine 298 was faced with this tough situation by themselves, because the responding first-due Ladder Co. 125 was coming from a distance.

Engine 298’s Officer, Lieutenant Michael Golini, called out to the trapped civilians in the attic and reassured them that a hose-line would be there shortly. He urged them not to jump. The civilians were out of reach of Engine 298’s 24-foot portable ladder. Lieutenant Golini then guided the man at the second-floor window from the sill where he was hanging. Fortunately, his only injury was a minor laceration.

Simultaneously, the hose-line was charged with water and the Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire that was at the side entrance leading to the second-floor stairs. They made a strong push up the stairs and faced punishing conditions to the second floor. They operated the hose-line and searched the second floor as quickly as possible. The Firefighters knew it was imperative to get up to the attic to protect the trapped occupants who would have to be rescued via an aerial ladder.

The Firefighters made a tough decision. They had to bypass fire in the rear of the second floor, placing them in danger. Undaunted, Engine 298 members operated the hose-line up the fiery stairs into the attic, making their way to the trapped occupants.

Once again, the Firefighters performed many functions in the attic in addition to operating the hose-line. These functions included forcible entry, searching and ventilating to relieve the super-heated conditions, allowing for final extinguishment. The occupants--including one person who had climbed out and was straddling the roof peak--were removed via Ladder 125’s aerial ladder. With tragedy averted, the three victims sustained only minor injuries.

Battalion Chief Charles Clarke of Battalion 50, who witnessed the superb actions of Engine 298, noted in his report “that their speed, coordination and teamwork, while initially operating alone, undoubtedly spared the civilians from death or serious injury.” The Department is proud to acknowledge the heroic work performed by the members of Engine Co. 298 with the NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation Medal.—AP