2537 DECATUR AVENUE, BRONX: Early in the night tour of

May 3, 2018, New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Firefighters would

be challenged. At 1944 hours, Bronx Fire Alarm Dispatchers started

receiving telephone calls reporting a fire at 2537 Decatur Avenue near

East Fordham Road. At that time of day, the Decatur Avenue/East

Fordham Road intersection is one of the busiest areas for

vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the Bronx. Engines

48, 79, 88, Ladders 56, 37 and Battalion

27 would be dispatched to

Bronx Box 3334.

Roberto 2018

As the Bronx Fire Radio Dispatcher announced the box being

transmitted, he also stated over the radio that they are now receiving

reports of people being trapped, and “numerous phone calls.” The

Bronx Radio Dispatcher called Battalion Chief Greg Lehr of Battalion 27

and told him that they were “loading up the Box” due to the numerous

reports of “fire out the windows” and “people trapped.” Rescue 3,

Squad 61, Ladder 38 (FAST Truck), and Battalion 19 were being sent to

the fire.

At 1948 hours, Engine 48, commanded by Captain Rob Whittle

called the Bronx Fire Alarm Dispatchers via department radio and told

him that they had fire showing out two windows of 2537 Decatur

Avenue. A 10-75 was transmitted for Bronx Box 3334.

The fire building was a 5-story “H-type” multiple dwelling. The

building was a class 3 construction (brick and wood joist). The fire was

in the “A” wing and was on the 4th floor. The fire was auto-exposing

the windows on the top floor and a sheet of black smoke shielded the

top floor windows from view.

A large crowd of

civilians were now in

the street. They were

aghast at the scene in

front of them. A

trapped person was

visible in a window on

the top floor in the

throat and the

civilians in the street were yelling “don’t jump!” Heavy smoke was also

now showing at the windows in the throat on the top floor.

Working in Engine 48 was Fr. Chris Roberto (Chauffeur),

Probationary

Firefighter (Pr. Fr.)

Thomas Burke

(Nozzle), Pr. Fr. Tom

Skeahan (Back-up), Fr.

Kahlid Morris

(Control) and Pr. Fr.

Peter Gospodinov

(Door). Engine 48

entered the narrow, single lane wide, Decatur Avenue. They were the

first FDNY unit to arrive. There were several NYPD Patrol Cars that had

to be navigated around on Fordham Road before entering Decatur

Avenue. Fr. Chris

Roberto stopped

Engine 48’s apparatus

so that the back step

lined up with the

building entrance and

POLICE VECHICLES BLOCKING ENTERANCE

TO DECATUR AVE

in-between parked cars.

This greatly facilitated the

hose stretch as there were

no obstacles to overcome.

The Firefighters from

Engine 48 did a size-up,

they estimated the length

of the hose stretch, and

started taking folds of hose

off the hose bed. After the

folds of hose were

removed, Fr. Roberto drove

Engine 48’s apparatus to

the hydrant which was

approximately 75 feet

away.

Ladder 56 was the

first due ladder company. Working in Ladder 56 that night was Captain

Thomas Moore (Cov.), Fr. Jacob Worstell (Chauffeur), Fr. Patrick

Donohue (Outside Vent), Fr. Marc Viscogliosi (Roof), Fr. Luis Bocaletti

(Irons), and Fr. Chris O’Brien (Can). They proceeded into the fire block

with their apparatus. Captain Moore and his forcible entry team

dismounted the ladder truck and headed to the building entrance.

Due to the proximity of the fire location to the quarters of

Division 7, the 7th Division arrived quickly. Deputy Chief Mike Gunning

could see the column of smoke rising as he left quarters and hearing

the radio reports, transmitted the 2nd alarm at 1950 hours.

Photo by John Hopper

Visible on the top floor in the throat was a trapped

person hanging out the window. Fr. Donohue activated

the drop ladder on the front fire escape and climbed

toward the upper floors. The fire victim moved to a

window directly over the fire in the front of the building.

Heavy fire was emanating from the windows on the 4th

floor, blocking access or escape past the 4th floor. It

appeared as if the

victim was

considering

jumping from the

5th floor window.

As Fr. Donohue

made it to the 4th

floor (fire floor),

he had to turn his

back on the flames to protect himself. As he made it to the fire floor on

the fire escape, fire erupted from windows in the throat. Fr. Worstell

positioned Ladder 56’s apparatus to make the rescue in case Fr.

Donohue could not get past the fire and to provide another

access/egress point. Fr. Donohue paused at the fire floor balcony on

the fire escape to

look for an

opportunity to

go above the

venting fire.

He saw his

opportunity

and he took

it.

ORIGINAL WINDOW WHERE THE MAN WAS SEEN FIRST WAS IN THROAT OF BLDG.

JUST BEFORE ROOM BELOW FLASHED OVER HE MOVED TO THE FRONT WINDOW.

He made it to the window directly over the window venting fire below

and he made entry into the window directly above.

Engine 79 led by Lieutenant Joe McGovern started stretching a

back-up hose line to the fire floor. Assisting them in the stretch was

Engine 88 led by Lieutenant Kevin Kouril.

Ladder 37 was the second due ladder company. Ladder 37 was

commanded by Lieutenant William Mannion. Fr. Bernard Langkafel

was the Chauffeur of Ladder 37. He positioned their

aerial ladder in front of exposure 2, as this was a

close as they could get. Fr. Langkafel raised the

aerial ladder to the roof of the fire building so that

vertical ventilation could be performed. Firefighters

started the climb up the aerial for this task. The

forcible entry team of Ladder 37 proceeded to climb

the interior stairway to the top floor (floor above the

fire) to start primary searches.

Fr. Worstell raised Ladder 56’s

aerial ladder to the window where the fire

victim was showing. Fr. Brian Browne of

Rescue 3 made it to the turntable of the aerial

ladder. He climbed Ladder 56’s aerial ladder

to gain access to the victim. Fr. Worstell

followed behind Fr. Browne.

As the two firefighters were climbing the

aerial ladder, Engine 48’s hose line was making

good progress. They were greeted at the

apartment entrance by heavy fire in several

rooms. While Fr. Browne and Fr. Worstell

were climbing the aerial ladder, a stream of

water from the hose line could be seen coming out a window on the

fire floor and the color of the smoke

was changing from black to gray.

Fr. Browne made it to the

window where the victim was

precariously positioned. He guided him

onto the aerial ladder and Fr. Worstell

slowly walked him down the aerial

ladder. As the two firefighters rescued

the man, cheers erupted from the

multitudes assembled to witness

the calamity.

Members of Engine 48; Capt. Robert Whittle, Fr. Kahlid Morris

(Control), Probationary Firefighters: Pr.Fr. Peter Gospodinov (Door),

Pr.Fr. Tom Skeahan (Back-up) and Pr.Fr. Thomas Burke (Nozzle) and

Fr. Chris Roberto (Chauffeur).

Engine 48’s hose line continued to march through the fire

apartment. Their young crew was tested by the challenging fire and

they performed admirably.

Ladder 56 and Ladder

37 completed their searches,

assisted by Rescue 3 and

Squad 61. Deputy Chief

Michael Gunning of the 7th

Division declared the fire

“Probably Will Hold” at 2015

hours and “Under Control” at

2022 hours. The fire was

declared “suspicious” and

the Fire Marshals made an

arrest of a suspected arsonist

at the scene.

If it is at all possible, the first due engine should enter the block

first. They should stop with their back-step in line with the entrance to

the fire building. This will allow the first hose line to be stretched with

few turns or obstructions. Once the hose line is

stretched, the Chauffeur should proceed to the

target hydrant. The obvious exception would be a

visible life hazard at a window. Then, the Ladder

apparatus must be put into position to make the

rescue.

If it is apparent that a second line will be necessary, the first due

Engine Company can pull the hose folds for the second hose line and

leave them on the sidewalk to be stretched to the fire building. Take

time to save time.

Proper apparatus positioning requires communication and

coordination between Engine and Ladder Chauffeurs. Chauffeurs must

size-up the following: hydrant locations, the location of the fire

building, any obstructions such as power lines or trees, what is the

target floor for the aerial/tower ladder, is fire showing? Any deviation

from normal response patterns must be communicated to incoming

units either via handi-talkie or department radio.

Roberto 2018

If the closest hydrant to the fire

building is in front of the fire building, it

can still be used. The in-line pumping

evolution can be used. Stop the Engine

apparatus with the back step opposite the

building entrance as normal. Test the

hydrant! Once the attack hose line is

removed from the hose bed, pull the

apparatus up enough to allow good ladder

company positioning. Connect a 3 ½ inch

supply line to the hydrant to the 4 ½ inch

outlet. Before opening the hydrant to

supply the pumper, attach a gate to the 2

½ inch discharge of the hydrant. This will

allow the Engine to self-augment without

shutting down the hydrant.

ENGINE 48 BACKED INTO BLOCK

BEHIND 1ST DUE COMPANIES WITH

BACK STEP FACING FIRE BUILDING

Roberto 2018

After the first Engine enters the block, the first Ladder should

enter the block. If there is no fire showing and it is a narrow building,

the first ladder should position in the middle of the fire building.

All Engines other than the first due Engine should strongly

consider backing into the fire block when entering. This puts the hose

bed facing the direction of the hose stretch. This is a good practice

whether entering the block with traffic or against traffic. Stretching

hose from a hose bed that is not facing the direction of the stretch is

more difficult.

All Chauffeurs should strive to see the “big picture.” If it is

feasible and you are not the first due engine and truck, consider going

around the block and getting position with the ladder truck, tower

ladder or engine against traffic. There will be no new traffic coming

into the block after the first due engine and ladder are in position.

If the first due Ladder has entered the block before any other

units, the first due Engine should consider backing into the block.

The second due Engine should not block out the second due

Ladder. Consider backing into the block from the opposite end.

When arriving at a fire scene and taking a hydrant, all Engine

Chauffeurs must test the hydrant they are on before doing anything.

They cannot offer help to another Engine Chauffeur if they themselves

do not know if he/she has a good hydrant.

If it looks like the fire is advanced on our arrival, leave room for a

Tower Ladder. It may be necessary for the Tower Ladder to back into

the block. If we have a fire in an “H-type” multiple dwelling, try to get a

tower ladder in position at the throat of the building. “See the big

picture.”

First due units may re-position after their initial stop. For

example: The first due Engine may stop and use their booster water

with the apparatus mounted “deck gun” to protect an exposure. Then,

the Engine Company stretches their attack hose line and proceeds to

the target hydrant.

Aerial ladder equipped companies should position their apparatus

so that the turntable is in line with their objective. Tower Ladder

equipped companies should line up the tower ladder bucket with their

objective. An exception to this positioning would be if the Tower

Ladder’s objective is the throat of an “H-type” apartment house or to

protect an exposure. In those cases, the turntable should be lined up

with the objective.

Battalion cars should only enter the fire block if, through their

size-up, they can move to a parking spot or mount the sidewalk. If

there are no areas where the Battalion car can pull over, they shall wait

at the intersection until the first two Engines and Ladders are

positioned. Some Battalions block civilian vehicle access to the block

with their Battalion Cars until apparatus positioning is complete.

Illustrated by Roberto 2018

ASSISTANT CHIEF RONALD R. SPADAFORA:

Passed away on Saturday June 23, 2018. He died

from injuries sustained from operating at

Manhattan Box 5-5-8087. This was the World

Trade Center rescue and recovery operation.

May he rest in peace. Never forget!

CAPTAIN JOHN T. VIGIANO (RET.), LADDER 176:

Passed away on Saturday July 7, 2018. He died

from injuries sustained from operating at

Manhattan Box 5-5-8087. This was the World Trade

Center rescue and recovery operation. Captain

Vigiano’s two sons, Joseph (NYPD Detective, ESU)

and John Jr. (Firefighter Ladder 132) died at the

World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. May

they all rest in peace. Never forget!

BATTALION CHIEF ROBERT P. MIUCCIO (RET.),

BATTALION 22: Passed away on Thursday July

12, 2018 from injuries sustained while

operating at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087. This

was the World Trade Center rescue and

recovery operation. Hay he rest in peace.

Never Forget!

Thanks to the following who contributed to this essay: Deputy Chief

Michael Gunning (Division 7), Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn (Ret.),

Battalion Chief John Salka (Ret.), Captain Rob Whittle (Engine 48), Fr.

Jacob Worstell (Ladder 56), Fr. Patrick Donohue (Ladder 56), Captain

Michael Jackson (Chauffeur Training School), Fr. Rob Killian (Engine 48),

Fr. Kevin Adams (Engine 48), John Hopper (Fire Photographer) Fr. Joe

Maxwell (Ladder 56), Lieutenant Tim Klett (Engine 88), Fr. Chris Roberto

(Engine 48)

Resources: The Collective Writings of Andy Fredericks; “Random

Thoughts” by Tom Brennan, Fire Engineering Books; Engine Company

Operations, Chapter 8; Firefighting Procedures Ladder Company

Operations, Aerial Ladders