James Gordon Bennett Medal/NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal

Captain Christopher J. Joyce Engine Company 318

February 13, 2005, 0240 hours, Box 75-3447, 128 Bay 50th Street, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on January 21, 1990. Previously assigned to Engines 319, 283 and 285. Nephew, FF Gilbert Joyce, is assigned to Engine 257. Holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from SUNY at Oneonta. Resides in East Islip, Long Island, with his wife, Kim, and their son, Christopher, and daughter, Gillian.

It was a cold Sunday morning on the 13th of February when an electrical fire erupted in the basement apartment at 128 Bay 50th Street in Brooklyn. Sleeping inside this basement apartment were two occupants. One of them, Mr. Jurcharn Barmi, awoke to the flames and smoke and screamed for his nephew to get out. The nephew escaped, but in the confusion, the 73-year-old Mr. Barmi became trapped inside the basement apartment.

Engine 318, under the leadership of Captain Christopher Joyce, happened to be 10-8 (in service by radio) when they got the call and arrived quickly on the scene at approximately 0240 hours.  Captain Joyce realized that since they were 10-8 and arrived so quickly, Engine 318 would be operating without the benefit of a ladder company during the critical early phase of fire operations.

On arrival, Captain Joyce observed a very heavy smoke condition at the rear of the two-story private dwelling.  He immediately transmitted a signal 10-75 for a basement fire and ordered his members to begin stretching their hose-line.

As Captain Joyce made his way to the rear, intense smoke and flames shooting from the entrance door to the basement confronted him. At this time, he was approached by the frantic nephew, who informed him that his uncle was trapped somewhere in the apartment. Looking down at the fire and smoke venting from the apartment door and two basement windows, Captain Joyce realized that immediate action was needed if the trapped victim was to survive this inferno.

Captain Joyce prepared for entry and proceeded down the exterior stairs. He quickly assessed the situation and noticed fire rolling across the ceiling. The room on his left was fully involved. Without the benefit of a hose-line nor the assistance of a ladder company, he quickly realized he would have to pass the fire if he was to locate the victim on the other side.

With high heat and limited visibility, Captain Joyce crawled on the floor past the fire room to the rear of the apartment, where he located the now-unconscious victim on the floor. Shielding the elderly victim with his body, the Captain retraced his route back to the entrance door, staying under the heat and flames. At the entrance door, he was met and assisted by Lieutenant John Giakas of Engine 253.

FDNY personnel transported the badly injured fire victim to the burn unit at Staten Island University Hospital. Mr. Barmi was admitted with severe burns over his body and in respiratory distress. Although in critical condition, the victim was alive due to the heroic efforts of Captain Joyce and the members of Engine 318.

The leadership and bravery exhibited by Captain Joyce exemplify what the New York City Fire Department is prepared to do every day for the citizens of New York City. It is for this reason that Captain Christopher Joyce is presented with the James Gordon Bennett Medal and the New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal on this Medal Day.—RMcC

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