Firefighter Thomas R. Elsasser Memorial Medal

Ladder Company 26

April 21, 2005, 0033 hours, Box 10-75-1320, 70 East 108th Street, Manhattan

Lieutenant Richard M. Muratore
FF James F. McNamara
FF Brendan D. Delaney
FF Robert E. Lopez, Jr.
FF Kevin B. Egan
FF Michael A. Callahan

Of all the skills probationary Firefighters learn during their time at The Rock, teamwork is as important as mask confidence, ladder operations, stretching a hose-line or ventilation. In the early-morning hours of April 21, 2005, the members of Ladder 26 demonstrated why teamwork is so important in effective firefighting operations and saving lives.

At 0033 hours, the members of Ladder 26 (Lieutenant Richard M. Muratore and FFs Michael A. Callahan, Robert E. Lopez, Jr., James F. McNamara, Brendan D. Delaney and Kevin B. Egan) were assigned to a fire at Manhattan Box 1320.  Arriving on-scene at 0036 hours, the members found heavy smoke coming from the fifth floor (exposure #2) of 70 East 108th Street, a 20-story, 200- by 100-foot, class 1, project-type multiple dwelling.  Lieutenant Muratore immediately transmitted a 10-75 to Manhattan Dispatch and joined the other members of the inside team--FFs Callahan with the can and Delaney with the irons.

Rushing to the fifth floor (while FF Egan continued to the floor above to monitor conditions), the team found a medium smoke condition in the hallway with smoke pushing forcefully from apartment 5C--a four-bedroom unit. Lieutenant Muratore ordered FF Delaney to force the door and, after gaining access, the team encountered a high heat and heavy smoke condition.   The main body of fire was in the kitchen, but moving was into the apartment’s main hallway, effectively preventing anyone in the rear bedrooms from escaping.

Lieutenant Muratore ordered FF Callahan to open up the extinguisher so he and FF Delaney could pass the fire and begin their search. Passing the fire, the rescuers found two victims outside the second bedroom. These victims were quickly removed from the apartment and into the fifth-floor hallway. Then, they were passed off to members of the second-due truck and evacuated to safety.

After these victims were removed, FF Callahan notified Lieutenant Muratore that the extinguisher was empty. Because other victims still might be in the apartment, the Firefighter was ordered to join in the search of the rear bedrooms.

Simultaneously, the Officer of Engine 58, who was waiting for a charged hose-line, monitored the fire advance from the kitchen into the hallway. While searching bedroom three, FFs Callahan and Delaney found two additional victims and immediately transmitted 10-45 signals. The first victim was found in bed and unconscious. Due to her size, it was extremely difficult to remove her. She eventually was transported to an area hospital in cardiac arrest and later expired. The second victim was found under her bed and was removed to safety.

While Lieutenant Muratore and FFs  Callahan and Delaney were performing these rescues, FF Lopez was performing his perimeter search of the building. In the course of this search, he noticed an additional victim calling for help from bedroom four on the exposure #2 side of the building. The victim was at the window, dealing with a heavy smoke condition pushing out from the window.

Moving quickly, FF McNamara raised the aerial ladder. FF Lopez ascended the ladder, removed the window guards and entered the apartment. He was met with a heavy smoke condition and zero visibility, but rapidly found the victim. He quickly moved the victim to the window and turned him over to FF McNamara, who had climbed to the tip of the aerial. FF McNamara took the victim down the aerial and turned him over to EMS, who transported him to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

In his report of the incident, Deputy Chief Thomas Jensen stated, “Ladder 26’s aggressive and coordinated efforts resulted in the rapid removal of several occupants who were trapped.”  Therefore, in recognition of their aggressiveness, dedication to duty and teamwork, the FDNY is proud to honor these members of Ladder Company 26 with the Firefighter Thomas R. Elsasser Memorial Medal.—DH

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