Steuben Association Medal

Firefighter John F. Hourican, Rescue Company 5

October 9, 2004, 0559 hours, Box 75-0897, 82 Arlo Road, Staten Island

Appointed to the FDNY on February 16, 1999. Previously assigned to Engines 160 and 253 and Ladder 24. Brother, FF Scott Hourican, is assigned to Ladder 168. Member of the Emerald Society. Recipient of a Service Rating A for this incident. Resides on Staten Island with his wife, Trinita, and their daughter, Caitlin, and sons, Patrick and Sean.

Early-morning fires get a head start on Firefighters because they usually grow unnoticed before they are reported. When there is an accelerant involved, it can produce a very advanced fire prior to the Firefighters’ arrival. That was the case for FF John F. Hourican of Rescue 5 on the morning of October 9, 2004.

Members of Rescue Companies usually are not called to a fire until the first-arriving units confirm a working fire, but an early-morning blaze at 82 Arlo Road in the Grymes Hill section of Staten Island prompted numerous phone calls. The Box was transmitted at 0559 hours and its proximity to Rescue 5’s quarters--as well as the company being turned out on the original alarm--resulted in them arriving as the first-due truck. Flames already were lapping out the front door and several windows by the time they arrived. Civilians on-scene were screaming that a man was trapped in the fire apartment.

Lieutenant Philip Solimeo split his unit, directing his outside team to check the second floor of the two-story multiple dwelling. He entered the fire apartment with his forcible entry team. FF Hourican had the can position. The members crawled under the flames licking at the top of the door frame as they entered the apartment into a heavy smoke condition. Without a hose-line yet in place, they were taking a big risk, but they couldn’t afford to waste any time with a life at stake.

As they crawled through the fully involved living room, they could see the flames streaming across the ceiling and starting to work their way down the walls. They crawled along the floor as they fought their way toward the moans they heard coming from the rear of the apartment.

When they reached the rear of the apartment, they encountered a locked bedroom door. Lieutenant Solimeo used his Officer’s tool as they forced their way in. With zero visibility in the bedroom and an additional fire burning there, they were only able to locate the victim by the sound of his moans. When they reached 25-year-old Alex Archer, they were able to ascertain that he was the only occupant before he lost consciousness. After transmitting a 10-45 signal, they had to consider their options for his removal.

Because of the additional fire in the bedroom, the Lieutenant decided that removal through the front door was their best choice. FF Hourican grabbed the victim around his upper torso and Lieutenant Solimeo supported his lower body as they dragged him back through the rapidly spreading inferno toward the front door. With the flames rolling over their heads, they were able to remove him from the apartment and transfer him to an EMS crew that was on-scene. At this time, Engine Company 155 moved in to extinguish the blaze.

EMS rushed Mr. Archer to Staten Island University Hospital, where he was taken to the Burn Unit due to the severe burns and smoke inhalation he had suffered. He required a lengthy hospital stay before fully recovering. Were it not for the heroic efforts of FF Hourican and the other members of Rescue 5, he surely would have perished. Before a hose-line was in place, they risked their own lives to give this victim another chance at life.

For his great courage and perseverance in the face of grave danger, the Fire Department is proud to award the Steuben Association Medal to FF John F. Hourican.—JT