Hugh Bonner Medal

Lieutenant Kevin T. Flanagan Ladder Company 28

June 28, 2005, 0701 hours, Box 75-1670, 2979 8th Avenue, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on December 17, 1977. Previously assigned to Engine 61, Ladder 59, Rescue 3 and Ladder 42. Father, FF Thomas Flanagan, is retired from Rescue 3; nephew, Philip Spiro, is assigned to Ladder 34; father-in-law, Philip Spiro (now deceased), was retired from Ladder 50; and uncle, Wallace Bjorness (now deceased), was retired from Engine 220. Member of the Holy Name and Emerald Societies. Holds a BA degree in Physical Education from Herbert Lehman College. Cited for bravery on four previous occasions. Resides in Pearl River, NY, with his wife, Mary Ellen. They have two sons: Brian, 24, currently assigned to Engine 92, and Daniel, 22, who is awaiting appointment to the FDNY.

When the tone alarm shattered the morning calm of the firehouse known as The Harlem Hilton that warm and humid summer morning, the members knew that the run would be anything but routine. The housewatch Firefighter had announced that the alarm printout stated that a person was trapped in an apartment on the 22nd floor.

Ladder Company 28 turned out of quarters with Lieutenant Kevin Flanagan in command and FF (now Lieutenant) John Tobin behind the wheel. As the apparatus proceeded uptown, the dispatcher reiterated that a person was trapped. Lieutenant Flanagan reviewed in his mind what he knew about the company’s destination--the Colonial Park Houses--a complex of four 30-story, 150-by-150-foot buildings.

When the company arrived at its destination, Lieutenant Flanagan and his forcible entry team boarded an elevator with the intention of taking it to two floors below the fire floor. However, the car stopped on the 17th floor and Lieutenant Flanagan decided to exit.

Hearing a report from FF Tobin that his survey of the building exterior revealed smoke pushing from the windows, the Lieutenant knew the situation was critical, so he raced to the stairwell and started his ascent. When he reached the landing between floors 21 and 22, he encountered a grandmother and several children. What caught Lieutenant Flanagan’s attention was the fact that the woman was wearing only one shoe; clearly an indication that she had rushed from danger. The excited family members also reported that a little boy remained in the fire apartment.

With a renewed sense of urgency, Lieutenant Flanagan opened the door to the public hall on the 22nd floor. Because the fleeing occupants had not closed their apartment door, there was a high heat and smoke condition present. Once the Lieutenant and his forcible entry team were able to enter the apartment, with FF William Poteus using his extinguisher to hold back the flames, Lieutenant Flanagan entered the flat, passed the burning fire and headed toward the rear bedrooms.

When he reached the most distant room, he searched until he located a 10-year-old child who was unconscious. He then dragged the victim back toward the front door. After receiving  an assist from FF Victor Leeber, the boy was brought from the hallway to the staircase, where he was turned over to the members of Engine Company 67 to assume patient care. Lieutenant Flanagan noted that Engine 67’s CFR efforts were outstanding and that Engine Company 69 did an exceptional job stretching the first hose-line from the floor below the fire floor.

Lieutenant Flanagan led his team quickly and efficiently into a deteriorating environment. His personal actions of passing a severe heat, smoke and fire condition--without the protection of a covering hose-line to effect a lifesaving rescue--revealed his courage and tenacity. It is for these reasons that the Hugh Bonner Medal is awarded to Lieutenant Kevin T. Flanagan.—BDG

Return to Index of Medal Recipients