 Uniformed
Fire Officers Association Medal
Lieutenant Michael P. Harty
Ladder Company 133
February 3, 2003, 1525 hours, Box 75-5023, 173-11 111th Avenue, Queens
Appointed to the FDNY on January 9, 1982. Previously assigned to Engine
254 and Ladder 153. Father, FF John F. Harty, is retired from Engine 284; brother,
FF Vincent A. Harty, is assigned to Ladder 166; and brother, FF Thomas J. Harty,
is retired from Ladder 137. Member of the Emerald Society and Company Officers
Association. Cited for bravery six times previously. Attended Germanna Community
College in Virginia.
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(Above) Lieutenant Michael P. Harty (third from right) with members
of Ladder 133. (Top) The firefighting family Harty--Lieutenant
Michael P. Harty, father, FF John F. Harty, retired
from Engine 284, brother, FF Thomas J. Harty, retired
from Ladder 137, and brother, FF Vincent A. Harty, Ladder
166. photos courtesy of Lieutenant Michael P. Harty |
In the middle of a cold winter on February 3, 2003, the day tour was coming
to an end as Ladder Company 133 was directed to respond to Box 5023 at 174th
Street and 111th Avenue for a fire in a private dwelling. As the truck was approaching
the 21/2-story house, the heavy smoke condition and numerous people standing
in the street indicated that the Company was going to work. The 10-75 signal
was transmitted and Ladder 133’s chauffeur positioned the rig in front
of the building.
As Lieutenant Michael P. Harty approached the house, he was met by a frantic
woman who informed him that an older lady was still inside the burning house.
Lieutenant Harty shared this information with Ladder 133 members. The Officer
proceeded to lead his forcible entry team to the front door of the house, where
they encountered heavy, black smoke within inches of the floor and fire inside
the first-floor door on both sides.
Lieutenant Harty ordered FF Nicholas Pesce, on the can, to expel the 2-1/2 gallons
of water on the fire, while FF Robert Roughley, with the irons, cleared some
debris that was impeding their movement in the fire area. The Lieutenant knew
that time was a critical factor and he ordered FF Pesce to continue to use the
can to hold back the extending fire, while Lieutenant Harty and FF Roughley
began their search.
The intense heat and zero visibility made the search of the living room very
difficult. Lieutenant Harty ordered FF Roughley back to the front door of the
house. While the Lieutenant was crawling on the floor, he heard a low moaning
sound coming from another room, which turned out to be the dining room. The
dining room was the second room from the front door and located behind the living
room.
Both rooms featured heavy contents. The living room had a couch and piano--which
were both part of the fire area--a coffee table and a rolled-up carpet. The
dining room contained the other part of the rolled-up carpet, a china closet
and three chairs, which were spaced apart.
Without hesitating, Lieutenant Harty quickly started to search the dining room,
unaware of how the fire was extending. After crawling over the many obstacles
described above, the Lieutenant discovered the body of 80-year-old Louise Gibson
toward the rear of the dining room. He transmitted the 10-45.
Lieutenant Harty, who was approximately 20 feet into the house, then proceeded
to drag the victim to the front door through a high heat condition and with
fire now overhead. By this time, FF Pesce had expelled all the water from the
can. The Officer had to maneuver Mrs. Gibson through the dining and living rooms
while moving the furniture out of their way as they safely made their way to
the front door.
When they reached the exit, Engine Company 275 had arrived with a hose-line
and was ready to attack the fire. FFs Pesce and Roughley helped remove Mrs.
Gibson to the street. With burns to 40 percent of her body and suffering from
smoke inhalation, the victim was transported to Jamaica Hospital by EMS personnel.
For his actions, which were in the finest traditions of the FDNY, Lieutenant
Michael P. Harty is honored today and presented with the Uniformed Fire Officers
Association Medal.--NG
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