Brooklyn Citizens Medal/FF Louis Valentino Award

Firefighter Robert Scott Hourican, Ladder Company 168

February 3, 2005, 2019 hours, Box 75-2875, 1901 84th Street, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on February 1, 2000. Previously assigned to Engine 152. Brother, FF John Hourican, is assigned to Rescue 5. Member of the Emerald Society. Attending the College of Staten Island. Resides in Staten Island with his wife, Cheryl, their daughter, Megan, and son, Ryan.

Helaine Beever said good-night to her mother, Madeline Lefkowitz, and both retired to their respective bedrooms inside apartment 2K at 1901 84th Street in the borough of Brooklyn. Shortly after 2000 hours on this February 3rd evening, Ms. Beever heard the terrified screams of her mother. She ran into the foyer and encountered the horrific sight of her elderly mother engulfed in flames. She quickly ran into the hallway screaming for help. Neighbors dialed 911.

Ladder Company 168 was only two blocks away from the fire building when the dispatcher transmitted a telephone alarm. On arrival, the members of Ladder Company 168, along with the 42 Battalion, observed heavy smoke coming from eight windows on the second floor of the B-wing of this six-story multiple dwelling. 

Lieutenant Jack Brunner, FF Albert Somma with the can and FF Robert (who goes by his middle name of Scott) Hourican with the irons quickly sized up the building and made their way to the second floor. Reaching the second floor, the inside team was met by thick, acrid smoke filling the entire hallway. There was also a high heat condition.

From their initial size-up of the first floor, the team knew the fire apartment was approximately 15 feet down the hallway on the left. Crawling on their hands and knees, FF Hourican and the inside team made their way to the open door of apartment 2K.

It was at this point and without the protection of a hand-line that the inside team was met with high heat and zero visibility from the smoke. While FF Somma used his extinguisher to somewhat control the fire, Lieutenant Brunner and FF Hourican crawled past the flames to search for victims.
Crawling under the intense flames and feeling his way along the right wall, FF Hourican systematically searched the apartment until he came across the motionless body of the victim, more than 20 feet into the fire apartment. He quickly transmitted a signal 10-45. With FF Somma trying to contain the fire, FF Hourican transported the victim through the flames now rolling across the ceiling of the entire apartment.

It was not until FF Hourican made it to the safety of the landing on the second floor that he turned Mrs. Lefkowitz over to CFR-D-trained members of the FDNY. He then returned to the fire apartment to search for more victims.

FF Robert S. Hourican’s actions were performed under adverse and rapidly deteriorating conditions without the benefit of a hose-line. FF Hourican’s exhibition of courage, along with his quick and decisive actions during this fire, are the reasons why we are gathered here today to pay him honor with the Brooklyn Citizens Medal/FF Louis Valentino Award.—RMcC

Return to Index of Medal Recipients