Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal

Firefighter Sean G. Cummins Rescue Company 1

September 8, 2005, 0252 hours, Box 44-1312, 964 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on September 4, 1996. Previously assigned to Engine 5, Ladder 168, Engine 217 and Squad Company 1. Cited on two previous occasions. Is an EMT, Municipal Rescue Diver, Haz-Mat Specialist and an IAFF Hazardous Materials Instructor. Resides in Belle Harbor, Queens, with his wife, Maureen, and their children, son, Sean, 11, and nine-year-old twin daughters, Hanna and Tara.

FF Sean Cummins not only serves his community as a New York City Firefighter, he serves his country as well. Since 1990, FF Cummins has been a member in one of three branches of our nation’s armed forces. He has served as a U.S. Navy Seabee, a U.S. Army Paratrooper, a U.S. Navy Seabee Combat Instructor, in the U.S. Air National Guard Crash Fire Rescue and as a U.S. Air Force Loadmaster. He is unable to participate in today’s Medal Day ceremony because, as a U.S. Army Airborne Civil Affairs Sergeant, he arrived in Iraq during April 2006 to continue his service to the United States.

It was said many years ago that the fire service is similar to the military; fighting a war that never ends. FF Cummins fought a battle in that war during the early morning of September 8, 2005.

Just before three in the morning, Rescue Company 1 turned out of quarters and raced uptown to a reported structural fire. The members knew that they were headed to a serious fire; the radio dispatcher reported numerous phone calls were being received. Additionally, the dispatcher alerted the responding units that people were reported trapped within a six-story apartment house. As the company arrived on-scene, there were many residents on the fire escapes, attempting to flee a very heavy smoke condition that was pushing from the upper floors of the building.

Rescue 1 Firefighters were operating on the lower floors and having a difficult time because the staircase landing had collapsed, making it impossible to advance upward. During this time, Battalion Chief William Bonasera, Battalion 11, directed the Rescue 1 Officer, Lieutenant Anthony Tarabocchia, to effect the rescue of a confirmed person trapped on the fifth floor. FFs Cummins and Christopher Mandeville were told to proceed via the front fire escape. As they ascended, FF Mandeville stopped on the fourth floor to aid several victims and FF Cummins kept on climbing until he reached the fifth floor.

When he made his way through the heavy smoke to the fifth floor, FF Cummins entered an apartment window and commenced his search. As he crawled forward into the living room, he reached a bedroom. In front of the door, he found an 85-year-old female, Maria Estrada. Although the victim was conscious, she was unable to move on her own. Consequently, it was necessary for FF Cummins to pick Ms. Estrada up and carry her to the relative safety of the fire escape where other Firefighters brought her down to the street. As soon as this was accomplished, FF Cummins entered the public hallway.

Despite the extremely high heat, fire and smoke, FF Cummins searched two additional apartments, completed his tasks and once again climbed the fire escape in order to perform a search of the top floor. While there, he assisted other units in removing victims. At the conclusion of his actions, FF Cummins was given medical assistance by EMS personnel.

What FF Sean Cummins accomplished that day is best summed up by Chief Bonasera’s comments in his report. The Chief noted, “...FF Cummins, knowing that this fire was extending and...heat conditions worsening, continued his search under great danger...” Clearly, had FF Cummins not been successful in removing Ms. Estrada, she would have lost her life.

This one battle had a successful outcome because FF Cummins, acting alone and without the protection of a hose-line, risked his life to save another person. His courage was exemplary and upheld the highest traditions of the Fire Department. Today, the Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal is proudly presented to FF Sean G. Cummins.—BDG

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