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The day tour of October 8, 2003, had been a normal one for the members of Ladder 153. They had checked their tools and equipment, went out on a couple of runs, but did not experience any serious fires. At the start of the tour, FF Peter Bongo was assigned the outside vent man (OVM) position by his Lieutenant. At the time, he had no idea of the dangerous position in which he would find himself later that day. The position of OVM generally is assigned to an experienced Firefighter because it requires the Firefighter to work alone. However, Lieutenant John Williams had the utmost confidence in FF Bongo (a 4th-grade Firefighter) because the young Firefighter had excelled in all previous tasks given to him. Shortly after 4 p.m. this Wednesday afternoon, the firehouse alarm alerted the members to respond to a private dwelling fire at 2260 West Street, Brooklyn. FF Bongo and the other members of Ladder 153 donned their bunker gear and responded out of quarters as the dispatcher notified them of a serious fire in a 2-1/2-story private dwelling with people trapped. Ladder 153 was the first unit to arrive and, at this time, members were informed of an invalid woman trapped inside the fire building. The fast-spreading fire already was extending out the front first-floor window and front entrance door. The Engine that was assigned to arrive first was operating at another alarm and the second-due Engine on arrival was blocked out from reaching the nearest hydrant. This unit had to stretch their hose-line approximately 300 feet, causing a delay in placing water on the fire. FF Bongo quickly made an assessment of the situation and realized he had to get inside this house from a rear entrance. He entered the adjoining premises (2262 West Street), a similarly attached building. He went through the hallway to the kitchen area where he exited from a side/rear door to a small courtyard. In this rear courtyard, the fire was venting out a window of the fire building. FF Bongo decided he had to get inside the rear/side door of the fire building to make a search, even though he knew of the dangerous situation confronting him. He notified Lieutenant Williams of his intention and was reminded of the delay in getting water on the fire. The young Firefighter donned his breathing apparatus and hood and entered the fire building alone. The fire now had escalated to blow-torch intensity. FF Bongo crawled through the kitchen on his stomach, then into the hallway, heading toward the bedrooms, while the fire had complete possession of the living room and dining room and was extending to cut his egress off. After crawling about 25 feet, searching by feel because the heavy smoke condition provided zero visibility, FF Bongo came across the elderly unconscious woman, lying face down in front of the bathroom door. He notified his Officer of the find, but now had to find a way to remove this victim. The fire was extending into the kitchen, which was threatening to block their egress. FF Bongo dragged the woman toward the exit through which he had entered. Staying low and below the fire, rescuer and victim reached the exit. FF Bongo, near exhaustion, dragged the 250-lb., 75-year-old woman down the rear stairs to the outside. The victim, Mrs. Katherine Zaccone, then was resuscitated by EMS personnel and transported to Staten Island Burn Center. She suffered second- and third-degree burns to her legs and torso and smoke inhalation. FF Peter Bongo’s brave and selfless actions in an extremely dangerous situation, without the protection of a hose-line, saved Mrs. Zaccone from a sure and painful death. For his initiative, courage and heroic actions, without regard for his own safety, the Fire Department is proud to honor him with the Walter Scott Medal.--EB |
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Walter
Scott Medal
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