Community Mayors, Inc./ Lt. Robert R. Dolney Medal

Firefighter Terence M. Walsh Ladder Company 3

November 14, 2005, 1908 hours, Box 75-0497, 301 East 21st Street, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on October 28, 2001. Father, FF Terry Walsh (now deceased), was a member of Engine 26; Uncle, Lieutenant Paul Geidel, is retired from Rescue 1; cousins, FF Gary Geidel was a member of Rescue 1, killed at the WTC, and FF Mike Geidel is assigned to Rescue 1; and brother, David Walsh, is a Proby in the Academy. Holds a BA degree in Psychology from Manhattan College. Cited once previously. Resides in Manhattan.

As a graduate of the first Fire Academy class after 9/11, FF Terence M. Walsh arrived at Ladder 3 in January 2002.  He came at the low point of the company’s 141-year history, similar to many firehouses around the City. Being the new guy is hard under the best conditions, but FF Walsh was not discouraged. With his quiet determination and character and some help from senior members, FF Walsh became a very capable Firefighter in a short time, culminating in his dramatic rescue on the evening of Monday, November 14, 2005.

Ladder 3, which protects the Manhattan neighborhoods of Union Square, the East Village and Alphabet City, was called as the second-due truck to a reported fire at 301 East 21st Street, shortly after 1900 hours. The company was out of the firehouse, returning from another emergency when the call came in, which expedited their response.

Ladder 3 did not expect to arrive well ahead of other units, but when they pulled up, the company had no choice but to assume first-due responsibilities. Thick, black smoke was seeping out of two windows on the fourth floor of the 10-story, corner building when Ladder 3 rolled up alone.

With reports of people trapped, the inside team of Ladder 3 (known as “Recon” since the 1960s because of the many Vietnam War veterans who were assigned to the house) raced up the stairs, each member carrying about 100 lbs. of equipment and gear. When the team--made up of FF Walsh (forcible entry), 10-year veteran FF James Andruzzi (can) and Lieutenant David W. Sharp (covering in Ladder 3 for the night)--entered the public hallway, they knew immediately that apartment 4H held the fire.

Under Lieutenant Sharp’s supervision, FFs Walsh and Andruzzi quickly forced open the locked door. Dense smoke and heat funneled over their heads as they prepared for their next move. Knowing that every second counted for the survival of the trapped victim, the three determined rescuers crawled into the darkness.

In zero visibility, FF Andruzzi turned right into a large living room, while Lieutenant Sharp continued down the hallway and eventually found the source of the fire. FF Walsh, using the left wall as a guide, could feel the heat intensifying through his protective clothing as he crawled deeper into the apartment, closer to the source of the fire. He continued to the left, passing the fire, into a dining room, where he felt the body of Michael Dash, 59, who was unconscious on the floor. Time was running out for Mr. Dash in the heat and acrid smoke, but FF Walsh’s discovery was reason for hope.

After FF Walsh’s call for assistance, FF Andruzzi also crawled past the fire to Mr. Dash’s location. He protected FF Walsh and Mr. Dash as best he could with the limited stream from the extinguisher. This was hardly a match for the intense blaze, but it was the best they had in the absence of a hose-line. The two Firefighters then worked together to drag Mr. Dash to safety.

Dedication to FDNY is nothing new to the Walsh family. FF Walsh’s mother, Margie, became a registered nurse to support the family after his father, FF Terence M. Walsh, Sr.--who was a member of Engine Company 26--passed away. FF Walsh’s cousin, FF Gary P. Geidel, Rescue 1, was killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. His other cousin, FF Michael G. Geidel, currently serves in Rescue 1. His brother, David J. Walsh, also will carry on the family tradition; he entered the FDNY Fire Academy in April.

Four-year veteran FF Walsh’s bravery and sound search techniques under extreme conditions saved the life of Mr. Dash, who was treated for severe burns at the Cornell Hospital Burn Center. For his performance at Box 497, without the protection of a charged hose-line, FF Terence M. Walsh is awarded the Community Mayors Inc./Lt. Robert R. Dolney Medal.—SN

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