Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal

Firefighter Louis Mancuso Ladder Company 44

March 5, 2005, 0459 hours, Box 33-2922, 1711 Morris Avenue, Bronx

Appointed to the FDNY on May 17, 1998. Now a Lieutenant and assigned to Battalion 11. Previously assigned to Engines 39 and 10. Father, FF Nicholas Mancuso, is retired from Ladder 44 and served as president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. Member of the Holy Name Society and Columbia Association. Recipient of a Service Rating A. Resides in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx.

Early-morning fires in multiple dwellings generally are an indication that people are trapped and in need of assistance. Such was the case on March 5, 2005, at 1711 Morris Avenue, Bronx. The building was a six-story, 190- by 105-foot, non-fireproof, multiple dwelling.

At 0459 hours on that day, numerous phone alarms were received at the Bronx Fire Communications Office for a smoke condition on the fifth floor. This information was transmitted to the local firehouses, including Ladder 44 and Engine 42, the first-due units. A combination of a fast turnout, quick response and heroic action would be necessary to lessen the severity of injuries to any trapped occupants. Ladder 44 members, through training and experience, were up to the task.

Rolling up to the fire scene, Ladder 44, commanded by Lieutenant John Dooley,  noticed smoke pushing out of windows on an upper floor. There was also a smoke condition in the street. Occupants were descending the fire escape.

As Lieutenant Dooley and FF Louis Mancuso, the search and rescue team, entered the lobby, they observed many occupants who had fled their apartments due to a hazardous condition on the upper floors. Experienced Firefighters realize that extreme heat conditions and blinding smoke are generated from fires in these kinds of structures. The members of Ladder 44 knew this would be a punishing operation.

Without delay, Lieutenant Dooley and FF Mancuso ascended the stairwell to search for the origin of the fire. At the third floor, they were forced to don their facepieces and self-contained breathing apparatus because of the heavy smoke condition. While moving along this third-floor hallway, they located the fire in 3J, a rear apartment in the A wing.

It was difficult to open the door due to obstacles--including a bicycle--behind the apartment door. As FF Mancuso entered the apartment to conduct a search for occupants, he noticed debris piled everywhere, in premises that only could be described as  Collyer-esque. The team solved this problem--even with the blinding smoke--by removing some of the largest debris to the hallway and adjacent apartment. At this time, a charged hose-line was not in place. Engine 42 was in the process of stretching a hose-line up the interior stairs.

The fire was in a rear bedroom and now lapping out into the apartment hallway. Ladder 44’s outside vent Firefighter reported that fire was issuing out several windows of the fire apartment and threatening the fourth floor. Conditions were deteriorating. Additional alarms were transmitted.

While the team was crawling down the apartment hallway, they came across an elderly female victim. At this time, the fire began rolling across the ceiling above Lieutenant Dooley, FF Mancuso and the victim. They were faced with a very hot atmosphere, heavy smoke condition and non-existent visibility.

FF Mancuso used his fire extinguisher in an attempt to hold the fire in check, while Lieutenant Dooley tried to free up the victim’s legs from the debris. After emptying his water extinguisher, FF Mancuso teamed up with the Lieutenant to remove the victim from certain death. They were experiencing some difficulty in dragging her to safety.

The fire was in possession of the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and hallway at this time. Fearing a total flashover, Engine 42 was instructed to direct their hand-line over the rescuers to cool down the area. Once accomplished, FF Mancuso grabbed 71-year-old Christine Brockington under her arms and dragged her over the piles of litter in the apartment to the public hallway and awaiting EMS personnel. Ms. Brockington was admitted to Harlem Hospital with severe burns to her legs and arms, as well as respiratory burns.

Although conditions continued to deteriorate, the primary search by Ladder 44 was not complete. The Officer and Firefighter returned to apartment 3J, where they made a thorough search, while working alongside the advancing hose-line.

FF Louis Mancuso’s courage and selfless actions in a dangerous situation without the protection of a charged hose-line helped save this woman. For his initiative, bravery and heroic actions without regard for his own safety, the Fire Department is proud to honor him with the Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal.—EB

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