April 2018 Tip of the Helmet To: The following members of the 6 th and 7 th Divisions on their awards from the Board of Merit: Lieutenant Michael J. Conboy, R-3 Class II; Firefighter Lucas A. Niskanen, L-31, Class II; Firefighter Scott M. Doody, R-3, Class III; Firefighter Sean P. White, L-37, Class A; Firefighter Steven J. Roccabruna, L-36, Class B; Firefighter Kirk F. Smith, L-17, Class B. The following units received Unit Citations: Ladder 27, Ladder 54, Engine 63, and Engine 45.
240 East 194 Street, Bronx: The winter of 2017-2018 has been challenging for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). The weather has been colder than normal. And, it seems like there has been more serious multiple alarm fires than in the previous few years. One type of fire that has seemed to occur frequently is the cockloft fire where the fire originates in the cockloft. These fires have had blown-in insulation in the cockloft. This newsletter will examine the fire at the corner of East 194 Street and Briggs Avenue. The Building: 240 East 194 Street was a Class 3, brick and wood joist, H-type apartment house. It had an unusual configuration in that the main entrance was on E. 194 Street, into one of the wings. The Briggs Avenue side (exposure 2) had a throat which connected the front wing (E. 194 Street side, exposure 1 side) and the rear wing (exposure 3 side). There was no public entrance in the throat. On the Briggs Avenue side (exposure 2) the building was six stories in height. On the
East 194 Street side (exposure 1) the building was five stories in height due to the downward slope of East 194 Street. The building s apartment numbering system was a source of confusion for FDNY units. Apartments on the top floor were designated as 4, even though the top floor apartments were on the 5 th floor on the exposure 1 side and the 6 th floor on the exposure 2 side. The building had a cockloft between the top floor and the roof deck. It had an inverted roof. Each wing (front and back) had individual wing stairs. The only floor where they interconnected was the first floor.
Photo by Bill Tompkins The night tour of January 30, 2018 started with the normal responses to routine emergencies and small fires. The temperatures were in the 20s and there was a steady breeze blowing, making the outside temperatures seem even colder. At 2308 hours, Bronx Fire Alarm Dispatchers began receiving telephone reports of a fire in apartment 4D at 240 East 194 Street. They transmitted Bronx Box 3379, Engines 48, 88, 81, Ladders 56, 33 and Battalion 27 were dispatched. Engine 75 would be dispatched at 2310 hours. Bronx fire dispatchers kept receiving phone calls reporting: Smoke 4D/ 4 th floor, Fire on the 5 th floor, Smoke in the building, and Smoke is everywhere.
Engine 48 was commanded by Lieutenant James McCarren. They arrived at the Box at 2312 hours. Ladder 56 commanded by Lieutenant Patrick Mataraza arrived at 2313 hours, along with Ladder 33 commanded by Lieutenant Daniel DiMartino. The first to arrive Battalion Chief was Christopher Rearer of Battalion 27. They arrived at 2313 hours. Photo by Bill Tompkins The first to arrive units started climbing the stairs to investigate. As they were climbing the stairs, fleeing occupants told the Firefighters that there was a fire in apartment 4D. Lieutenant McCarren of Engine 48 told his Firefighters to start stretching an 1 ¾ inch hand line to the top floor. Ladder 56 s Outside Vent Firefighter, Brendan Houlihan, radioed Lieutenant Mataraza that there was smoke coming out of the top floor windows on the exposure 2 (Briggs Ave.) side of the building.
Upon making entry into apartment 4D, Lieutenant Mataraza saw heavy smoke coming from every light fixture in the ceiling. He radioed to Battalion Chief Rearer what the conditions were on the top floor and recommended that he transmit a 10-75. Chief Rearer transmitted the All Hands at 2315 hours. Photo by Bill Tompkins Ladder 56 s Chauffeur Stephen McMahon and Ladder 33 s Chauffeur Thomas Clingo coordinated their efforts in ladder placement. Ladder 56 s aerial would be placed to the roof for access to the roof while Ladder 33 s bucket would be used for its tower ladder basket s scrub area at the top floor windows. Upon his arrival at the roof, Firefighter Larry Sullivan of Ladder 56 saw a serious fire situation. The roof was spongy and bubbling and melting tar was observed. Initial roof operations were commenced along with Firefighter Brian Kehoe of Ladder 33.
Ladder 56 and Ladder 33 were searching for the source of the fire and performing searches in the top floor apartments. Ladder 56 moved to apartment 4C to perform searches. Lieutenant Mataraza ordered his Can Firefighter, Daniel Bergen, to make a small hole in the ceiling to determine if fire was over this apartment. As soon as he removed his hook from the ceiling, fire forcefully blew down upon them. Roof Firefighters reported that the roof suddenly raised 5 6 inches and went back to its normal position. Lieutenant Mataraza radioed Lieutenant Jim McCarron of Engine 48 as to the location of the fire. Battalion Chief Rearer was also notified. (It is believed that this was a smoke explosion in the cockloft.) Battalion Chief Ken Scanlon of the 19 th Battalion would be dispatched as the 10-75 Chief. He arrived at 2317 hours and Photo by Chris Roberto Photo by Bill Tompkins
would be designated as the Fire Floor Sector. He started coordinating efforts on the top floor as was realized that there was a massive cockloft fire in the building. Photo by Bill Tompkins Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of Division 7 arrived at 2320 hours. As he was approaching the fire building, Battalion Chief Rearer transmitted the 2 nd alarm for the fire. Events started happening rapidly. The Firefighters working on the roof stated that a vent hole had been cut in the roof and is showing heavy fire. Fire started breaking through the roof deck in other areas. They were calling for a hose line to the roof to protect the operating firefighters. Engine 75 commanded by Lieutenant Brian Currid was directed to take his hose line to the roof to protect that position. The roof firefighters radioed to the Command Post that they were starting a trench cut. It was obvious that the roof sector was a key position at this fire. Deputy Chief Jonas ordered Battalion Chief Rearer to go to the
Photo by Bill Tompkins roof to supervise and coordinate operations on the roof with those on the top floor. When Battalion Chief Vincent Mosca of the 18 th Battalion arrived, he was designated to assist with Command functions at the Command Post. Battalion Chief Ken Scanlon of Battalion 19 (Fire Floor Sector) radioed Command Photo by Bill Tompkins and reported that the entire front wing of the building had fire in the cockloft and that they would need
at least two more hand lines along with the cockloft nozzle. Engine 42 arrived and stretched a hose line to the top floor via the fire escape and took the cockloft nozzle with them. Engine 81 stretched a hose line to the top floor via the fire escape. There were now three hose lines operating on the top floor. Rescue 3 Roof Firefighter Joe Drury notified his Officer; Lieut. Tom Clair that fire had reached the trench cut that was placed at the entrance to the throat that separated the front wing from the back wing. Battalion Chief Chris Rearer (Batt. 27, Roof Sector) notified Command that they were going to move deeper into the throat and start a second trench. Two additional ladder companies were called for on the roof with fresh saws. Ladder 46 sent their entire company to the roof and Ladder 27 split their company, half going to the roof and half going to the top floor. Battalion Chief Chris Rearer also called for a second hose line on the roof to keep the fire from passing the second trench. Engine 46, commanded by Lieutenant
Terrence Osborne would make this stretch to the roof via the rear wing stairway. Ladder 37 arrived at 2317 hours. They positioned their aerial apparatus on the Briggs Avenue (Exposure 2) side and placed it to the roof. They were ordered to have their members proceed to the rear wing and check for extension there. Squad 61, commanded by Lieutenant Chris DiBenedetto went to the top floor of Photo by Chris Roberto the rear wing as well. Engine 95 arrived, commanded by Lieutenant Paul Cohn, and stretched an 1 ¾ inch hand line to the top floor of the rear wing. A 3 rd Alarm was transmitted at 2328 hours. Battalion Chief Joe Dudly of Battalion 13 arrived at 2333 hours. B.C. Dudly was designated as the Rear Wing Sector Commander. Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of Photo by Chris Roberto Division 7 walked around to the Briggs Avenue side (Exposure 2) and saw that fire was encroaching upon the rear wing. He ordered Ladder 37 to move their aerial apparatus so that a tower ladder could be placed in its stead. Ladder 58 moved their tower ladder to replace Ladder 37 s aerial ladder. Ladder 58 was commanded by Captain Henry Fellner. The tower ladder was positioned by Ladder 58 in a key strategic spot.
In the event the second trench cut did not hold the fire, they were in position to attempt to keep the fire in the front wing. Battalion Chief Chris Rearer (Battalion 27, Roof Sector) radioed Command. He stated that the second trench had been cut and pulled. There was a tremendous amount of fire coming from the second trench. He predicted that it is only a matter of time before the fire jumped the trench. A 4 th Alarm was transmitted at 2347 hours. With the hose lines operating on the top floor of the front wing, the use of the cockloft nozzle, and the use of the hose lines into the trench, the tide began to turn. The ladder companies on the top floor pulled all the Photo by Chris Roberto ceilings on the top floor to expose the hidden fire. Reports coming from the rear wing were more promising. Ladder 37, Squad 61 and Battalion 13 all stated that fire had not yet extended to the rear wing. Deputy Assistant Chief John Esposito arrived at the scene at 2345 hours. He evaluated the strategy that was being implemented and he concurred. Assistant Chief John Sudnik would arrive at 0024 hours.
Due to the duration of the fire and the harsh weather conditions, it was decided to relieve Ladder 38, the original FAST Truck. Ladder 45 took over the duties of the FAST Truck at 0025 hours. Units on the top floor were relieved by fresh companies coming in on the 4 th Alarm. The fire was declared Probably Will Hold at 0116 hours. The fire was declared Under Control at 0214 hours. The fire in the cockloft spread across the ceilings of five apartments. A tip of the helmet to all the units that operated at this challenging fire and had to endure the extreme weather conditions. Dumb waiter shaft that helped spread fire and smoke. On roof newly added solar panels. Photo by Chris Roberto
Photo by Bill Tompkins This fire started in the cockloft. The Fire Marshals are investigating the cause. Upon arrival at the top floor, it was obvious to Firefighters that there was a serious fire in the cockloft. Heavy smoke was coming from all ceiling light fixtures. Radio reports coming from Outside Vent Firefighters and Roof Firefighters confirmed the location of the fire. The apartment numbering system led to confusion initially. Photo by Chris Roberto
Rapid transmission of additional alarms kept the Command Post and the Staging Area stocked with fresh units. can be placed on the shut off. This hose line can then be used as a conventional hose line. The Cockloft Nozzle once again proved its value. It is an excellent tool to knock down a fully involved cockloft fire. Ceilings still have to be pulled and hose lines advanced. However, the Cockloft Nozzle will stop the expanding fire. Once the Cockloft Nozzle has knocked down the cockloft fire, the Cockloft Nozzle (which in reality is a tip) can be removed from the shut-off and the Main Stream Tip (MST) When a cockloft fire is suspected, do not make a bigger hole in the ceiling than the circumference of a hook handle. Anything Photo by Chris Roberto larger than that could precipitate fire blowing down into the top floor. If a small hole is made and fire is in the cockloft, it will appear that someone is pouring a pitcher filled with smoke out of the hole. Once a charged hose line is in position on the top floor, then the ceilings can be pulled. Steel I Beam construction Photo by Chris Roberto
There were six hand lines stretched at this fire. However, there were no more than two hand lines in any given stairway. All other hand lines were stretched via utility rope up the front fire escape. Engine Companies repositioned their hand lines several times to reach the fire that involved all the apartments on the top floor, front wing. The placement of the first two engines facilitated the hose line deployment. Engine 48 and Engine 88 took hydrants that allowed good aerial ladder placement. Their hose beds were facing in the direction of the hose line stretch. This greatly facilitated the stretching of hose lines. Photo by Chris Roberto The first two Ladder Companies positioned their apparatus for maximum advantage. Ladder 56 s aerial ladder was used for roof access/egress. Ladder 33 s tower ladder was used for its scrub area on
the top floor front. Ladder 37 s aerial ladder was repositioned so it provided roof access/egress from the roof of the rear wing. Ladder 58 s tower ladder was placed in a key position in the throat. Although the fire was completely extinguished with hand lines, the tower ladder was in position to prevent fire from extending to the rear wing. A smoke explosion occurred in the cockloft early in the fire. Fire was blown down to the top floor and the roof rose up a few inches and fell immediately. The roof operations were challenging. Heavy fire was throughout the cockloft of the front wing. Initial roof vent holes were cut and opened up. Thick roofing was present. Due to the thickness of the roofing, the tips of the carbide tip blades wore down. Additional saws had to be deployed to keep the roof operation going. Photo by Chris Tompkins
The large amount of fire in the cockloft prompted the cutting of the first trench cut. The Command Post was notified of the trench cut. Once it was determined that the second trench cut was necessary, all efforts were coordinated to attempt to prevent fire from extending to the rear wing. Sectoring of key areas of this fire was essential. The Fire Floor Sector, the Roof Sector, and the Rear Wing Sector all had tremendous input into the outcome of the fire. Good communications means rapid deployment of resources, calling for additional alarms if necessary, and change of strategy if necessary. Photos by Chris Roberto The Command Board must be adjusted whenever a unit 1) reports in, 2) gets an assignment, and 3) is relieved. It is the Company Officer s responsibility to make sure this is done. Don t assume that the assigning Chief Officer will do it for you.
Thanks to the following people who contributed to this essay: Battalion Chief Chris Rearer; Lieutenant Pat Mataraza, Lieutenant Jim McCarren, Firefighter Larry Sullivan (Ladder 56), Janet Kimmerly; Chris Tompkins, Bill Tompkins, Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn (Ret.), Firefighter Chris Roberto (Engine 48). Photos by Chris Roberto Dumb waiter Shaft at roof level and inside fire apartment
EMS DEPUTY CHIEF JOEDDY E. FRSZELL (RET.) DIVISION 3: Passed away on Monday March 5, 2018 from injuries sustained while operating at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 on September 11, 2001. This was the rescue and recovery effort at the World Trade Center. May he rest in peace. PILOT THOMAS P. PHELAN, MARINE 9: Passed away on Friday March 16, 2018 from injuries sustained while operating at Manhattan Box 5-5- 8087 on September 11, 2001. This was the rescue and recovery effort at the World Trade Center. May he rest in peace. FIREFIGHTER KEITH R. YOUNG (RET.) LADDER 158: Passed away on Saturday March 17, 2018 from injuries sustained while operating at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 on September 11, 2001. This was the rescue and recovery effort at the World Trade Center. May he rest in peace.
On Thursday March 15, 2018, two members of the FDNY serving their country in the Armed Forces in Iraq,. They were Lieutenant Christopher J. Raguso of Division 13 and Fire Marshal Christopher T. Zanetis of the Bureau of Fire Investigation. Lieutenant Raguso is survived by his wife Carmella and their two daughters, ages 5 and 6. Fire Marshal Zanetis is survived by his parents John and Sarah. May they rest in peace.
On Friday March 23, 2018, Firefighter Michael R. Davidson of Engine 69 died from injuries sustained at a cellar fire at Manhattan Box 5-5-1638. He was a veteran of 15 years on the FDNY. He is survived by his wife Eileen, three daughters, ages 7, 3 and 1, and a 6-year old son. His Father, Robert Davidson is a retired FDNY Firefighter. His Brother, Eric Davidson, is a Firefighter in Engine 88. Firefighter Michael R. Davidson was promoted posthumously to Lieutenant. May he rest in peace.