Chief John J. McElligott Medal/Fitzpatrick and Frisby Award

Firefighter Paul J. Nigro Ladder Company 28

August 4, 2005, 1749 hours, Box 75-1670, 2979 8th Avenue, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on July 16, 1989. Previously assigned to Ladder Company 161. Member of the Columbia Association and the Holy Name Society. Cited on four previous occasions. Resides in Manhattan with his wife, Jane, and their daughter, Ashley, 18.

The senior man not only has tenure in a company, but generally possesses a wealth of knowledge, ability and experience. Little did FF Paul Nigro know that all of these attributes would be put to the test in very short order.

The alarm sounded throughout the firehouse just as the night tour was about to start. FF Nigro quickly stepped into the apparatus and assumed his role of chauffeur. As he  maneuvered the big rear-mount ladder truck up 8th Avenue, the Department dispatcher announced over the radio that there were reports of people trapped in an apartment on the 28th floor of a 30-story, 150- by 150-foot building within the confines of the Colonial Park Houses.

When the company arrived at the building, panicked civilians in the lobby told them that someone was trapped upstairs. It was at this time that the Chief of Battalion 16 advised them that there was smoke showing from the windows.

 As Ladder 28 and Engine 69 personnel took the first available elevator (the fire service feature was out of order), FF Nigro started his climb to the roof. He soon heard an urgent handie-talkie message advising that the elevator being used had stalled and the members would be delayed reaching the fire floor.

All alone, FF Nigro exited the stairwell on the fire floor and entered the public hall where the smoke was banked down so heavily it was as though the lights had been turned out. FF Nigro, searching for the source of the fire, opened the door of the flat adjoining the fire apartment and found the occupants were “sheltered in place.” Although they apparently were safe for the time being, they screamed that someone was still next door and trapped in the back bedroom.

FF Nigro then moved to the fire apartment and found the door ajar. He entered the hostile environment, passed the fire and started his search. Reaching the rear-most bedroom, he was able to open the door only a few inches because a victim, a 66-year-old obese woman, Mrs. Betty Harris, was up against it. Unable to open the door any further, FF Nigro removed the hinges and took the door down. As he reached the victim, he noted that she was gasping for air and was hooked up to a medical oxygen bottle.

Because there was no second means of egress and he was too high for the reach of an aerial ladder, FF Nigro knew that he would have to drag the woman out the front door. This meant, once again, he would have to pass the fire. He quickly removed his facepiece and put it on the woman, shielded her with his body and pulled with all his might, while calling for assistance in her removal.

FFs Francis Moriarty (Ladder 28) and Nigro struggled to get Mrs. Harris into the public hall and breezeway. Handie-talkie reports advised them that EMS and CFR personnel would be delayed because of the elevator conditions. So FF Nigro continued administering oxygen until medical personnel could take over patient care. The victim, suffering from smoke inhalation, subsequently was transported to the hospital. FF Nigro, with smoke inhalation and a shoulder injury, also was taken to the hospital.

FF Nigro had the knowledge and experience to react to the initial reports that members would be delayed to the fire floor; possessed the courage to enter an extremely hostile environment to effect a rescue without the protection of a hose-line; and gave up his facepiece to aid another person. For all these reasons and upholding the highest traditions of the FDNY, the Chief John J. McElligott Medal/Fitzpatrick and Frisby Award is awarded to Firefighter Paul J. Nigro.—BDG

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