Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Scoppetta, FDNY Chief Cassano present the 2009 New York state Honorary Fire Chiefs Association medal
(L to R) NYSHFCA Vice President and General Counsel David Gold, President of NYSHFCA Michael Hill, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, FF Anthony Romano, FDNY Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano. (Photo by Butch Moran)
FF Anthony Romano, Ladder 142
NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal 2009
NYSHFCA.ORG – NYS FIRE CHIEFS AWARDSIn the early-morning hours of Tuesday, February 26, 2008, Ladder 142 and Engine 285 received a phone alarm that will not be forgotten for years to come. Afire was reported at 87-24 115th Street, Queens. Arriving at the reported address, members conducted their investigation and found that there was nothing showing at this building, but the Ladder 143 roof Firefighter reported seeing smoke from the rear of a private dwelling on the next street, 114th Street.
Battalion Chief Patrick Ginty, Battalion 51, ordered Engine 285 to the building where they conducted an investigation and confirmed a working fire in a three-story, frame private dwelling. A 10-75 was given. The remaining companies responded to the new address, both on foot and apparatus. Due to the delay, the fire gained headway.
Units now arriving encountered Collyers mansion-type conditions, complicating operations. Quick entry into the building was prevented, again allowing the fire to grow in intensity. Additionally, the owner had packed all rooms with debris and sealed the rooms with plastic sheeting and cardboard over some of the windows. This combination nurtured the environment for a delayed alarm and flashover.
Firefighter Anthony Romano, Ladder 142, was assigned the outside vent position. In keeping with procedures for private dwelling fires, he performed a perimeter survey for possible life hazards. While making his way to the rear, FF Romano heard a transmission over the handie-talkie: Mayday! I’m burning up in the rear! Knowing that the front of the fire building was covered by the inside team on the first floor and his LCC and the second-due LCC were on the second-floor front, the only area left uncovered was the second-floor rear.
