Editorial: Once in a Lifetime

Recently, I was on the scene of an all-hands fire in the Hunts Point Section of the Bronx, NY. All companies were heavily engaged operating at a fire on the top floor of an occupied apartment building. People were trapped in three locations on the top floor. The first-due chauffeur from Ladder 48, Mike Fenick, helped the outside vent man, John McKean, with a portable ladder, attempting to reach two occupants trapped in a shaft in the rear of the building. The second-due ladder chauffeur, Dennis Quinn from Ladder 42, raised his aerial and removed four people from a top-floor front window. He needed help to remove some of those occupants, and other firefighters came to his aid.

The fire had extended from the apartment of origin to the hallway, blowing upward and out the bulkhead door, extending to the roof. The fire also dropped down and thwarted the advance of the Engines 73 and 94 and Ladder 48 and 42 in trying to reach the trapped occupants. As the engines advanced, one occupant was taken out from a room in the fire apartment by a firefighter from Squad 41. From across the shaft in the exposure, firefighters from Ladder 31 could see two trapped occupants. Fire was burning through the door behind a man trapped near a window. In the other apartment, fire was blowing through the transom above the door extending into the apartment behind a woman trapped at another window. Time was of the essence.

Upon hearing the radio reports of the occupants trapped in the rear of the building, the first-due battalion chief ordered Rescue Company 3 upstairs with the intent of a making a roof-rope rescue if needed. It became apparent that there was no other way to get to those occupants, who by now were in great danger. Two firefighters from Rescue 3, Pat McKenna and Jeff Cool, were lowered by other firefighters on the roof one after another on two separate roof ropes and picked up the two-trapped occupants. They then were lowered to the ground safely and successfully.

In all, seven people were rescued and the fire was extinguished, with several firefighters suffering only minor injuries. It was a great team effort that led to a great news day for the FDNY, something the department hasn’t had too often lately. Roof-rope rescues are rare; perhaps taking place once or twice a year. Some firefighters may never have a chance to see or participate in such a rescue operation during their entire careers. Many other firefighters continue to do their assigned jobs, out of the limelight, out of view. They push in the hoselines and advance down hallways under high heat, search for life and operate on roofs. They all deserve recognition for the unsung job that they do every day.

Speaking of recognition, we would like to congratulate Cobb County, GA, Fire Chief Rebecca Denlinger on being elected chair of the IAFC/NFPA Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Section. Denlinger’s election marks the first time a woman has been selected chair of the Metro Chiefs Section. We worked with the chief in setting up a Firehouse on the Road program in the Atlanta area few years ago and have attended meetings with her. Good luck!

We also congratulate another outstanding individual whom we have known for 20 years. The Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year Award, which recognizes accomplishments, contributions to the organization, contributions to fire safety, demonstrated leadership, challenges overcome or other considerations, was awarded to Jeff Bowman, chief of the San Diego Fire Department. Faced with budget problems, a rapidly growing population and the wildfires last fall, we offer a tip of the helmet to Chief Bowman. Also, on a personal note, welcome back to Hal Bruno, who underwent cardiac bypass surgery. It’s great to have you back with us. You add so much to the fire service with your Fire Politics column, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We hope to see you at the 21st annual Firehouse Expo in Baltimore. The Baltimore City Fire Department is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the great 1904 conflagration, which destroyed much of the Inner Harbor area. Many of the departments that responded on mutual aid 100 years ago will participate. A lot has changed since then.