Dr. Albert A. Cinelli Medal

Captain Robert Pav Ladder Company 110

May 12, 2005, 0650 hours, Box 75-0550, 417 Baltic Street, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on December 9, 1985. Previously assigned to Engines 305 and 214 and Ladder 111. Father, Captain Joseph Pav, is retired from Engine 304. Member of the Emerald and Holy Name Societies and the Company Officers Association. Cited for bravery on four previous occasions. Resides in Oceanside, Long Island, with his wife, Cheryl, and their children, Robby, Christopher and Ryan.

Residents of the borough of Brooklyn have come to know that when they sound an alarm for a fire or other emergency, the Fire Department of New York will respond in the shortest amount of time possible. Moreover, people have come to expect that the FDNY will handle the situation properly and professionally--with the protection of life as the top priority.

 Such was the case with Ladder Company 110, when members were called to respond to an alarm for a fire at 417 Baltic Street. The combination of a great turnout, quick response and personal bravery exhibited by Captain Robert Pav proved responsible for saving a 73-year-old woman’s life.

On the morning of May 12, 2005, the members of Ladder 110 responded to fire alarm Box number 550 from their quarters on Tillary Street. While en route to the Baltic Street address, the Department radio was coming alive with reports of people trapped.

Arriving at this 14-story, high-rise multiple dwelling, FFs Kevin Harvey with the extinguisher and Terence Brody with forcible entry tools, under the supervision of Captain Pav, made their way up to the 12th floor, the reported fire floor. Reaching the 12th floor, Ladder 110’s inside team was met with a severe smoke condition, as well as a radio communication from Battalion Chief Jack Oehm, Battalion 32, that a woman appeared at a smoke-filled window, threatening to jump.

As Ladder 110 was forcing entry into the fire apartment (apartment 12D) and Engine 226 was preparing an attack on the fire with a 21/2-inch standpipe line, the members of Squad Company 1 were initiating a lifesaving rope rescue from the apartment directly over the fire apartment.

With little time to spare and a hose-line being stretched from the stairway, Captain Pav entered the fire apartment. Despite high heat and zero visibility, he was determined to save a life. Immediately on entering the apartment, the Captain was met with a free-burning living-room fire that was rolling over into the apartment hallway. 

It was evident that the only way to get to the rear bedroom where the trapped occupant was located would be to crawl under and past the fire. After passing fire now being held back by FF Harvey with a fire extinguisher, Captain Pav was able to reach a rear bedroom and find Dorothy Bradford crouched behind the bed next to an open window. She was gasping for air. Removing his facepiece and putting it on the 73-year-old victim, Captain Pav dragged her past the living-room fire and into an adjacent apartment for safe refuge.

Captain Robert Pav of Ladder Company 110 conducted his search and rescue without the benefit of a charged hose-line. He passed a heavy body of fire to effect his lifesaving rescue. The trapped occupant, 73-year-old Dorothy Bradford, is alive and well, thanks to the deliberate and calculated actions of Captain Pav. For these reasons, he is presented with the Dr. Albert A. Cinelli Medal.—PWB 

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