Fire Marshals Benevolent Association Medal

Firefighter Kevin O. King Ladder Company 37

September 4, 2005, 0811 hours, Box 3531, 323 East Mosholu Parkway North, Bronx

Appointed to the FDNY on July 5, 1992. Father, Lieutenant Thomas King, is retired from Engine 38; uncles, FFs John King (Engine 75), Frank King (Engine 63) and Jack O’Meara (Ladder 41), Lieutenant William O’Meara (Rescue 3) and Captain Martin King (Engine 71) are retired; and cousins, Lieutenant Robert King is assigned to Ladder 26, Captain Chris King is assigned to Rescue 3 and FF Tom O’Meara is assigned to Ladder 49. Member of the Holy Name and Emerald Societies. Attended Westchester Community College. Resides in the Bronx with his wife, Alexandra, and their son, Kevin, and daughters, Ashley and Amber.

It is without dispute that Firefighters rush into harm’s way to protect people they have never met. There are also times the individuals they attempt to rescue from the flames may not be innocent victims. On Sunday, September 4, 2005, while most were enjoying the Labor Day holiday and the final weekend of summer, FF Kevin O. King and the members of Ladder 37 saved a suspected criminal from fatal injury.

At 0811 hours, Ladder 37 received a call for a fire at 323 East Mosholu Parkway, apartment 5E, a five-story, 100- by 175-foot, class 3, non-fireproof multiple dwelling. Arriving at Box 3531, FF Sullivan, the outside vent Firefighter, reported heavy smoke was pushing from the top-floor windows on the exposure #3 side of the building.

The inside team--comprised of Lieutenant Anthony Tomesheski and FFs Josh Potter with the can and King with the irons--entered the building and went up the stairs. Reaching the top floor, the team encountered not only a medium smoke condition, but two police officers assigned to the Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit. The officers, who were unable to gain entry into the apartment due to the growing smoke condition, stated they were on-scene to apprehend an armed murder suspect who was still in the fire apartment. Lieutenant Tomesheski immediately relayed this information to Battalion Chief John Joyce, Battalion 27, and added that the team was going to commence their search, knowing anyone still in the apartment was in grave danger.

At the apartment door, FF King checked and found it closed, but not secured. He opened the door and the smoke condition immediately increased. Without hesitation or the protection of a charged hose-line, the team crawled into the apartment to search for potential victims. Quickly traversing down a 30-foot hallway, Lieutenant Tomesheski and FF Potter moved left, while FF King moved right.

By this time, the smoke and heat conditions were getting worse and fire was coming from both the kitchen and rear bedroom. Additionally, the bedroom fire was beginning to move into the living room. While Lieutenant Tomesheski and FF Potter searched the front bedroom, FF King crawled past the kitchen fire. His search proved negative, so he moved into the living room. 

His efforts were rewarded as he found an unconscious victim near the window. He immediately radioed a 10-45 code. FF King then dragged the victim down the long corridor to safety. The victim, who had suffered smoke inhalation, was taken into custody by police officers on-scene and taken to the hospital for treatment.

In his report on this incident, Chief Joyce stated, “Firefighter King displayed intense commitment to duty by entering a fire apartment and searching without the protection of a hand-line in deteriorating conditions. It was without regard for his personal safety that he successfully rescued a known armed assailant.”  This sentiment also was shared by Acting Deputy Chief Michael Puzzifieri, Division 7, who stated, “Firefighter King displayed an extreme commitment to the traditions of the Department...and removed a dangerous person from a possible mortal injury.”

It is in recognition of this selfless act that the Fire Department of the City of New York is proud to honor FF Kevin O. King today with the Fire Marshals Benevolent Association Medal.—DH

Return to Index of Medal Recipients