John H. Prentice Medal

Lieutenant John A. Dooley (2) Battalion 14 (assigned), Ladder Company 44 (detailed)

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

Appointed to the FDNY on December 9, 1985. Previously assigned to Engine 231 and Ladder 120. Father, Lieutenant John A. Dooley, is retired from Ladder 107. Member of the Emerald and Holy Name Societies. Attended Nassau Community College. Recipient of Firehouse Magazine Heroism Award. Resides in Deer Park, Long Island, with his wife, Asia, their sons, John, Patrick and Noah, and daughter, Rebecca.

On March 5, 2005, Ladder 44 responded first-due for smoke in apartment 5J at 1711 Morris Avenue. Arriving at the six-story, non-fireproof multiple dwelling, units observed a light smoke condition in the street. As Lieutenant John Dooley, commanding officer of Ladder 44, and his forcible entry team--FFs Louis Mancuso and Michael Mercurio--entered the lobby, they encountered numerous occupants coming down the stairwells.

Lieutenant Dooley and his forcible entry team made their way to apartment 3J on the third floor and observed heavy smoke pushing from around the doorjamb. The Officer opened the unlocked door and observed fire in the rear of the apartment. Lieutenant Dooley gave this information to Battalion 17, Battalion Chief James Keene, and transmitted a 10-75 for a working fire.

Ladder 44’s forcible entry team donned their facepieces and prepared to conduct a primary search. Immediately, it was apparent to Lieutenant Dooley that the amount of rubbish strewn about the apartment was going to hamper operations. He described conditions as “Collyer mansion”-type.
Lieutenant Dooley knew that facilitating the engine company’s advance of the hose-line would be crucial to a successful operation. He ordered members to clear debris from the apartment hallway to the main hall. The Officer was supervising this operation from halfway down the main hall of the apartment where it led to a bathroom.

Fire conditions were intensifying and fire was rolling across the ceiling above him. Lieutenant Dooley passed bags of garbage to FF Mancuso so he could gain access to the bathroom to make a search. As the Lieutenant turned to begin his search, he found an unconscious victim, 71-year-old Christine Brockington, lying face up on the floor.

Lieutenant Dooley transmitted a 10-45 to Chief Keene and then attempted to remove Ms. Brockington. Initial attempts to evacuate her proved fruitless. Lieutenant Dooley found that her legs were pinned under a mountain of debris that apparently had fallen and trapped her on the floor. He called for FF Mancuso for assistance, but even together, they were unable to pull her free from the debris.

Fire was intensifying above Lieutenant Dooley, so he ordered FF Mancuso to use the extinguisher above him to protect Ms. Brockington. He heard Engine 42’s Officer call for water, but the chauffeur informed him that water would be delayed, due to a frozen hydrant. FF Mancuso’s extinguisher was out of water, so Lieutenant Dooley and FF Mancuso made another failed attempt to free Ms. Brockington.

Lieutenant Dooley was about to be engulfed in flame. Engine 42, which now had water, could not advance the hose-line due to the ongoing rescue. Lieutenant Dooley refused to leave Ms. Brockington, so he ordered FF Mancuso to instruct Engine 42 to operate the hose-line over him to push some of the heat and fire away from rescuer and victim. This procedure protected them from fire, but also subjected them to punishing conditions from scalding steam, the collapsing ceiling and hot water running down from the water runoff. Lieutenant Dooley, in an attempt to protect Ms. Brockington, sacrificed his safety and used his own body to shield hers from these severe conditions.

He repeated his removal efforts, but again, was unsuccessful. Fire now had full control of the hallway ahead of him, the bathroom to his left and was rolling overhead. The Officer overheard reports of fire extending throughout the building and severe conditions everywhere. Conditions were such that at the doorway to the apartment, FFs Kevin O’Hagan and Mercurio went to the adjoining apartment and began to prepare to breach the wall. This was because conditions were so severe in the hallway where Lieutenant Dooley was, they thought he would be unable to escape via the front door. But again, Lieutenant Dooley requested that Engine 42 open their hose-line to protect his position and again, he was engulfed in burning steam, debris and heat as the water poured down around him.

Lieutenant Dooley then made a final, desperate attempt to free Ms. Brockington. He removed more debris from her legs and with the help of FF Mancuso, he finally was able to free Ms. Brockington. She was immediately removed to the street and transported to the ICU burn unit at Harlem Hospital in extremely critical condition.

During this long and arduous rescue, Lieutenant John Dooley repeatedly put himself in harm’s way to save Ms. Brockington. His actions undoubtedly saved her life and exemplify the finest traditions of the Fire Department of the City of New York. It is for these reasons that he is recognized today and presented with the John H. Prentice Medal.—CB

Return to Index of Medal Recipients