Holy Name Society Medal (Brooklyn/Queens)

Lieutenant Kevin A. Griffith Ladder Company 106

January 31, 2005, 1335 hours, Box 75-90, 122 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on June 1, 1983. Previously assigned to Engine 238 and Ladder 80. Member of the Emerald Society. Holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University. Recipient of two unit citations. Resides in Howard Beach, Queens, and has a son, Ryan.

It was a cold Monday, the last day in January, and the snow from the previous week’s blizzard still buried cars, narrowed roads and made driving hazardous. Ladder 106 had just gone 10-8  (in service by radio) from a 10-33 (odor of smoke) and was parked on the firehouse apron, readying themselves for afternoon AFID. Those plans were placed aside when over the radio, they were directed to respond to 122 Norman Avenue for a report of smoke on the top floor.

As soon as they turned west onto Norman Avenue, dark, black smoke was visible, rising above the top floor of a three-story row frame building. The fire already had self-vented and flames were blowing out of one window on the top floor. Lieutenant Kevin Griffith transmitted the 10-75.

The Lieutenant knew that Engine 238 was at education day and street conditions would slow down all responding units. This meant that Ladder 106 would be operating alone for a while. His outside team was ascending the aerial as Lieutenant Griffith and his inside team entered the building on the first floor. He warned them that until the first engine arrived, they would be without the protection of a hose-line and they should operate cautiously.

Occupants of the building were streaming out the door and one informed Lieutenant Griffith that there was an elderly woman trapped on the top floor. Reaching the top floor, the Lieutenant noticed that the door to apartment 3L was open, but that both doors to apartment 3R, the fire apartment, were closed.

After checking the rear door to apartment 3L for heat, he directed FF Steven Rueckheim to force it. Once the door was opened, they encountered heavy smoke banked down to the kitchen floor. Despite the fact that there was no protective line in place to cover their advance or retreat, Lieutenant Griffith led FFs Rueckheim and Jemel Donato into the blackness to search for the reported victim.

While advancing into the kitchen, it was necessary to push furniture out of the way as they searched. FF Donato was directed to wait by the door and FF Rueckheim was told to search the kitchen, while Lieutenant Griffith crawled forward through the kitchen and toward the front of the apartment. He felt the heat intensify and soon both heard and saw the flames, now just six feet in front of him.

As the Lieutenant advanced toward the front room, he heard a tortured moan. He pushed on, probing around him and found Ms. Jean Gregorek lying face-down along the left wall, a few feet from the flames. Lieutenant Griffith transmitted the 10-45 signal, notifying Battalion Chief John Molloy, Battalion 35, that he had discovered a victim.

Lieutenant Griffith placed himself between the unconscious victim and the advancing flames. The woman was heavy. With great effort, the rescuer rolled the victim onto her back and began to drag her toward the hallway entrance. 

Ladder 106 still was operating without the benefit of a hose-line and conditions rapidly were deteriorating. Over his radio, Lieutenant Griffith received a report that there was fire in the cockloft directly overhead. He called for help and continued to struggle, slowly moving the victim toward the safety of the public hall.

At the entrance to the kitchen, Lieutenant Griffith was joined by his inside team. The three of them managed to push and pull the victim through the kitchen, turn her almost 180 degrees and finally slide her into the comparative safety of the hallway. At this point, other hands helped bring the woman into the adjoining apartment where she was placed into a stokes basket and removed from the building to be resuscitated by EMS personnel.

By the time Lieutenant Griffith had gotten the victim to the hallway, the front room was completely engulfed in flame. Engine 229 now was on the top floor and waiting for water. While they waited, Lieutenant Griffith again entered the apartment to search for any other victims. This search proved negative.

The members of Ladder 106 operated alone for several minutes at this fire, making an aggressive search without the benefit of having a hose-line in position to protect them. Lieutenant Kevin Griffith probed deep into the apartment to search and, without a doubt, Ms. Gregorek would have perished had he not done so. For these reasons, he is presented with the Holy Name Society Medal (Brooklyn/Queens).—FCM

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