 |
 |
The night of June 11, 2003, had been a relatively uneventful one for the members of Ladder 54, who share their Story Avenue quarters with Engine 96. There were a few runs here and there, but nothing spectacular. That was to change soon. At 0100 hours, the voice alarm ordered Ladder 54 to respond, first due, under the command of Captain Steven Hintze, to Box 2876. The fire building, 1120 Fteley Avenue, was a two-story, class 4, multiple dwelling with five apartments, including one in the rear basement area. As 54 Truck came to a stop, excited tenants advised of smoke coming from the basement apartment. Other tenants were not sure whether the lone occupant, William Torres, was home. Captain Hintze, together with FFs Joseph Martorell on the irons and Richard Bailey with the can, along with Captain James Curry, Engine 96, went down to the basement to investigate. Due to the very narrow, cramped entrance, two-man forcible entry was not possible, so FF Martorell forced the door himself. Once accomplished, members were met with a blast of heavy, black smoke and extreme heat, which forced them to the floor. A chain lock was fastened from the inside, giving positive indication that Mr. Torres was home and in imminent danger. The Ladder 54 inside team made an aggressive move into the apartment, while Captain Curry gave the 10-75 signal and called for a charged line. Via radio, FF Cruz, the Ladder 54 outside vent man, notified Captain Hintze that fire was pushing out around an air conditioner in a basement window on the exposure #4 side. This indicated that the fire was well advanced and had been burning for some time. FF Martorell, in zero visibility, extreme heat conditions and without the protection of a charged line, crawled down a 12-foot-long, 30-inch-wide hallway that was filled with cartons, debris and accumulated junk. This decreased the width of the hall to approximately 18 inches, which, even under the best of circumstances, would have been difficult to navigate. Given the fire conditions and with an SCBA on, it was next to impossible for the Firefighter. At the end of this hall, the cluttered and debris-laden apartment opened up into one large living area, the right half of which was heavily involved, with flames rolling across practically the entire ceiling. Knowing he had only seconds to act, FF Martorell, at great personal risk, made a quick and thorough search of this obstacle-laden area, while FF Bailey used the can in an effort to hold back the fire. At the rear of the basement, FF Martorell found an unconscious and badly burned William Torres on a bed next to a rear door that was bolted with five locks. The Firefighter yelled to Captain Hintze that he had a 10-45, which was transmitted to the 18th Battalion, Battalion Chief Ciro Migliore, via radio. Still operating without the protection of a charged line, FF Martorell knew he had to get Mr. Torres back past a wall of flame in oven-like conditions. Shielding the victim with his own body, FF Martorell carried him back past the main fire area, through the debris-laden apartment and hallway, while other FDNY members cleared a pathway for the duo. Reaching the street, FF Martorell, assisted by members of Engine 64, administered first aid and oxygen to Mr. Torres. EMS personnel then took over and transported the victim, who suffered second- and third-degree burns, to Jacobi Hospital. FF Martorell displayed outstanding initiative and courage in effecting this rescue. Without his determination and courage, it is doubtful Mr. Torres would have made it out of the apartment alive. FF Joseph R. Martorell acted in the highest traditions of the FDNY and for this reason, he is presented with the Brummer Medal.--GAA |
|||||
Brummer
Medal
 |
|