Thomas A. Kenny Memorial Medal

Lieutenant Joseph A. Fernicola, Ladder Company 125

January 30, 2005, 0619 hours, Box 33-4369, 88-28 162nd Street, Jamaica, Queens

Appointed to the FDNY on July 11, 1984. Previously assigned to Ladders 115, 160 and 138. Has two cousins in the Department: Battalion Chief Herbert Penner, currently covering in Battalion 7, and FF Michael Penner, assigned to Engine 79. Member of the Columbia Association. Resides in Levittown, Long Island, with his wife, Toni, and their daughter, Alexa, and son, Nicholas.

The Queens dispatcher turned out the companies for a reported building fire at 88-28 162nd Street on January 30, 2005, at 0619 hours. Ladder Company 125 was notified that there were numerous phone calls at this address reporting a fire in the basement and that they would be responding as the first-due truck.

Engine 298 arrived as the first-due engine and quickly gave the 10-75 for a cellar fire in the two-story, semi-attached, flat roof, private dwelling. Due to the heavy volume of fire and the presence of window bars, an extra engine and truck were requested.

When Ladder 125, commanded by Lieutenant Joseph Fernicola, arrived, they found heavy fire involving the cellar and fire showing at the first- and second-floor front windows. There were numerous hysterical civilians screaming that there were people trapped in the rear. After his initial size-up, it was apparent to Lieutenant Fernicola that although the front door was open, it would be impossible for his forcible entry team to gain entry. He then directed the LCC to position the apparatus and raise the aerial ladder to the roof for access.

The Lieutenant ordered a portable ladder taken to the rear for VES of the second floor and notified Lieutenant Robert Daly, Engine 298 (since promoted to Captain), that Ladder 125 would seek an alternate entry down the exposure #2 side and to the rear of the building. As they made their way to the rear, Lieutenant Fernicola noticed that fire was showing from the first- and second-floor front windows on the #2 side and all windows on the first and second floors on the side and rear were pumping heavy black smoke.

Arriving at the rear, Lieutenant Fernicola discovered Narvin Seunarine, age 15, coming down a flimsy, almost vertical civilian ladder from the second floor. Proper placement of this ladder was impossible due to a parked car and other obstructions. Once removed, the occupant was crying that there were more people trapped inside.

Urgency dictated that Lieutenant Fernicola and the forcible entry members ascend this civilian ladder to begin a search for these endangered people. FF John Fogus, Engine 298, first completed the removal of the injured victim to the street and returned to meet up with the Lieutenant and FF John Genna, detailed to Ladder 125. They climbed the ladder, donned their facepieces and entered the second floor. The floor was heavily charged and the glow of the fire was rapidly extending out in the hallway.

Once inside, Lieutenant Fernicola was forced to the floor by the extreme heat and rapidly deteriorating conditions. Without the protection of a hose-line, he began his search. In an attempt to delay the spread of flames to the room and with fire beginning to roll over his head, Lieutenant Fernicola quickly crawled across the room to close the bedroom door.

Conditions now were so bad that when Deputy Chief Paul Ferro, Division 13, arrived, he began ordering all members out of the building. At this time, Lieutenant Fernicola found an unconscious and burned female occupant, Parbattie Seunarine, age 42. The 10-45 was transmitted and removal was underway.

Chief Ferro, aware that a rescue operation was in progress on the second floor, ordered interior operations to continue. While dragging the victim, Lieutenant Fernicola found a second victim, Devindranauth Seunarine, age 13, and again transmitted a 10-45. Simultaneously, FF Genna informed him that he, too, had discovered an unconscious male victim, Dhavindranauth Seunarine, age 43, and would be attempting to remove him to the window. A third 10-45 was given.

With the interior stairs burnt through and collapsing, the only option was to remove all 10-45s out the rear window. Help was requested at the rear by Chief Ferro. At the window with three victims, Lieutenant Fernicola and FF Genna began the arduous task of removing the victims to safety. Help came in the form of FF Edward Cancro, Rescue 4. He assisted the first victim onto the portable ladder to Lieutenant Fernicola, who then carried the victim safely to the ground. This process was repeated twice more with the Lieutenant carrying down another unconscious victim and FF John Genna carrying down the third victim.

Lieutenant Joseph Fernicola discovered two unconscious victims and either removed or assisted in the removal of four victims in total. The two victims found by him were burned and in respiratory arrest when removed, but both are alive due to his heroic efforts and determination. His actions and bravery were crucial in the rescue of three unconscious victims.

In the finest traditions of the New York City Fire Department, Lieutenant Joseph A. Fernicola is honored with the Thomas A. Kenny Memorial Medal.—TW

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