Fire Bell Club Medal

Captain Michael J. Burke Engine Company 79

June 12, 2005, 1248 hours, Box 75-3525, 3006 Decatur Avenue, Bronx

Appointed to the FDNY on June 15, 1990. Previously assigned to Ladder 29 and Engine 47. Father, Captain Joseph Burke, is retired from Engine 81. Member of the Holy Name and Emerald Societies. Resides in Palisades, New York, with his wife, Sharon, and daughters, Erin and Kelly, and son, Timmy.

With the school year finally over, Sunday, June 26, 2005, was the real beginning of summer vacation for many.  While families across the nation were heading off to the beach or just the backyard for a barbeque, Captain Michael J. Burke and the members of Engine 79 were far too busy for such enjoyment due to a fire at Box 3525.

At approximately 12:45 that afternoon, Captain Burke and the members of Engine 79, along with Ladder 37, were directed by Bronx Dispatch to respond to a report of smoke at 3006 Decatur Avenue, a five-story, 75- by 150-foot, class 3, non-fireproof multiple dwelling. While en route from their Briggs Avenue firehouse, additional information was transmitted, notifying them that the fire now was being reported on the top floor.

When Engine 79 arrived on-scene, the company could see heavy black smoke coming from several top-floor windows.  Captain Burke immediately ordered his company’s line stretched to that location and then went into the building with Ladder 37’s forcible entry team to locate the fire apartment.

As Captain Burke and the team climbed up the stairs, they were met by fleeing building occupants who said there were trapped civilians in the fire apartment. Arriving on the fire floor, Captain Burke and the team proceeded to apartment E-7 and members forced the door.

As the door opened, Captain Burke and the entry team were met by high heat and a heavy smoke condition. Momentarily retreating into the hallway, Captain Burke and the entry team Firefighters dropped to their knees and donned their masks. The entry team moved back into the apartment to begin their search, followed by Captain Burke, who was looking for the fire’s origin. 

The Captain moved to his right, where he found fire emanating from the kitchen and beginning to move into the main hallway.  Not realizing that this was the area of fire origin in the apartment, Captain Burke--without the benefit of a charged hose-line or protection from Ladder 37’s can Firefighter--moved past the fire toward the right rear bedroom.

While searching for fire in this room, the Officer found an unconscious victim, Lorraine Garcia, near the rear bedroom wall next to a bed. Captain Burke immediately transmitted a 10-45 and then dragged the victim more than 25 feet past the fire to the apartment doorway. Reaching the door, he handed the victim over to FF Joseph Brady.

Ms. Garcia was in critical condition, suffering from CO poisoning and burns to her airway, back and shoulder. She was taken to the floor below and CPR was initiated. At this time, the members of Engine 79 had arrived on-scene with a charged hose-line and Captain Burke led his company down the hallway and extinguished the fire.

In his report of the incident, Battalion Chief Ralph Fago, Battalion 27, wrote, “Captain Burke passed the fire room without the protection of a charged hose-line...Captain Burke’s aggressive search for fire led him to the location of this victim and resulted in the saving of her life. Had this victim not been found in such a timely manner, she likely would have perished from her injuries.”

Therefore, it is with great pride that we honor Captain Michael J. Burke for his heroic actions this day and present him with the Fire Bell Club Medal.—DH

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