Author Archives: Christopher Naum

Thirty Year Remembrance: Buffalo (NY) Box 191 North Division & Grosvenor Street, December 27, 1983

As Buffalo (NY) firefighters arrived at the scene of a reported propane leak in a three-story radiator warehouse (Type III Ordinary and Type IV Heavy Timber construction), a massive explosion occurred, killing five firefighters instantly and injuring nine others, three of them critically. The force of the blast blew BFD Ladder 5′s tiller aerial 35 feet across the street into the front yard of a dwelling. BFD Engine 1′s pumper was also blown across the street with the captain and driver pinned in the cab with burning debris all around them. Engine 32′s engine was blown up against a warehouse across a side street and covered with rubble.

Two civilians were also killed and another 60 to 70 were injured. While operating at the rescue effort, another 19 firefighters were injured.

The blast and ensuing fire ignited 14 residences and damaged as many as 130 buildings over a four block area. The explosion occurred when an employee was moving an illegal 500-lb. propane tank with a forklift truck and dropped it, breaking off a valve. The gas leaked out, found an ignition source, and the explosion occurred.

At 20:23 hours, a full assignment was dispatched to North Division & Grosvenor streets. The three engines, two trucks, rescue and 3rd Battalion were responding to a report of a large propane tank leaking in a building. Engine 32 arrived and reported nothing showing, but they were talking to some workmen from the four-story, heavy-timber warehouse (approx. 50′ x 100′). Truck 5, Engine 1 and BC Supple arrived right behind E-32.

Thirty-seven seconds after the chief announced his arrival, there was a tremendous explosion.

It completely leveled the four-story building. It demolished many buildings on four different blocks. It seriously damaged buildings that were over a half a mile away. The ensuing fireball started buildings burning on a number of streets. A large gothic church on the next block had a huge section ripped out of it as if a great hand carved out the middle. A ten-story housing projects a couple blocks away had every window broken and some had even more damage. Engine 32 and Truck 5′s firehouse, which was a half mile away or so, had all its windows shattered.

Killed in the line of duty were all assigned to Buffalo FD Ladder Company 5;

• Firefighter Michael Austin,
• Firefighter Michael Catanzaro,
• Firefighter Matthew Colpoys,
• Firefighter James Lickfield and
• Firefighter Anthony Waszkielewicz

Memorial
A memorial to the five members of Buffalo Fire Department Ladder Co. 5 and the two civilians who were killed sits at fire call box 191 at the intersection of N. Division and Grosvenor streets. Each year on Dec. 27, at 2020 HRS, the fire department rings out the alarm 1-9-1 to honor the five firefighters of Ladder 5.

Remember to think about occupancy risk and not occupancy type and the factors related to the occupancy usage and the nature of the call. Nothing is ever routine.

“Operational Excellence is achieved through Tactical Discipline, Tactical Patience and Knowledge of our Buildingsonfire”

Understanding the Compartment in various types of occupancies and variation of building types lends itself towards the identification and selection of appropriate tactics with corresponding capabilities in the form of sustainable water flow for the expected fire load package.

Understanding the degree of compartmentation, connectivity, vent and flow paths and presence or absence of control features supports tactical suppression assignments.

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• What can you access from this street view of this building, it’s occupancy risks and structural and collapse profile?
• What type of strategies and tactics would you employ upon the first due with a report of a fire in the building?

Photo courtesy: CJ Naum

Accessed from FDNY – Remembering the “23rd Street Fire” October 17, 1966, Facebook Page

On October 17th, 1966, Manhattan Dispatch recorded an alarm from a resident at 7 East 22nd Street for smoke on the 4th floor of a brownstone. Box 0598 was transmitted at 2136 hours. Engine 14, 3 & 16, Ladders 3 & 12, Battalion 6 & Division 3 turn out. Upon arrival, they were confronted with a cellar fire at 7 East 22 Street. Heavy volume of smoke & heat were pushing from the art dealer’s cellar & 1st floor. DC Reilly transmitted the All Hands at 2158hrs, Rescue 1, Battalion 7 & Field Comm are on the way.

At 2209hrs, Chief Reilly transmits the 2nd Alarm, fire has extended to exposure 2, a 3 story brick ‘L’ shaped at 940 Broadway and exposure 3, a 5 story brick commercial loft building at 6 East 23 Street.

Engine 18 & Ladder 7, under the direction of Chief Reilly & Higgins were all unaware of the intense fire conditions that were directly below them. Suddenly, without warning, a 20×5 foot section of the rear of the drug store on 23rd Street collapsed, hurling 10 FDNY members to their death in the inferno below. Two other firemen trapped on the 1st floor by a burst of flame caused by the collapse also were burned to death.

Other than the chauffeur, the only other member of Engine 18 to survive that night was FF John Donovan, who was detailed to check parking violations at fire hydrants in the district. When he discovered E-18 was operating at a 2nd alarm, he grabbed his turnout gear & went. He arrived at Wonder Drug right after the collapse occured. He raced in with Engine 5 & helped push the line into the store. FF Donovan moved up on the line to the nozzle & operated the stream when suddenly he stepped into the void caused by the collapse.

As he fell, he was able to clutch the nozzle with 3 fingers of his right hand. He hung suspended over the raging inferno below as his rubber coat started to ignite from the intense heat. All of a sudden, a hand dragged on his collar & another grabbed his left arm & then his shoulders &, badly burned, FF Donovan was removed to the sidewalk. These hands belonged to Lt Rubolph Alberda & FF Vincent Lambert both of L-24.

All attempts were made immediately after the collapse to rescue those trapped in the cellar, but the flames had spread to all floors of 6 E 23 Street, 7 E 22 Street and 940 Broadway. The rapidly spreading fire cause all of the buildings’ roofs to collapse. Dept. members were ordered out of the buildings and just as they backed out, floor after floor of all 3 buildings crashed down. At 2237hrs, (the time of the collapse), a 3rd alarm was transmitted. 2247hrs, a 4th alarm and 2328hrs, a 5th alarm. It was not declared under control until all of the entombed men had been recovered.

Fire Patrol member Edward Pospicil greatly aided in the search for the members. He observed the members operating before the collapse and was able to draw a map of the location where he last saw them operating. On the basis of the diagram, a wall was breached opposite from where the men were believed to be and the bodies were found very close to the spot indicated on the map.

Throughout the morning of October 18th and into the afternoon, charred remains of these men were taken from the drug store and placed in waiting ambulances to be driven under police escort to Bellevue Hospital Morgue.

Please remember the sacrifice these members made on this date:
•DC Thomas Reilly, Division 3, 53 years of age.
•BC Walter Higgins, Bn-7, 46 years of age.
•Lt John Finley, L-7, 54 years of age
•Lt Joseph Priore, Bn-4, 42 years of age.
•FF John Berry, L-7, 31 years of age.
•FF James Galanaugh, E-18, 27 years of age.
•FF Rudolph Kaminsky, L-7, 33 years of age.
•FF Joseph Kelly, E-18, 35 years of age.
•FF Carl Lee, L-7, 29 years of age.
•FF William McCarron, Div.3 aide, 44 years of age.
•FF Bernard Tepper, E-18, 41 years of age
•Prob FF Daniel Rey, E-18, 26 years of age.

Also remember the 12 widows, 32 children and the rest of their families on this date. Original post from NYFD Fire Wire.

For more insights from our 2011 post go to: CommandSafety.com
http://commandsafety.com/2011/10/fdny-the-23-street-collapse-october-171966-box-55-598/

Building Construction Insights

• Location of Fire Origin: Cellar of 7 East 22 St.
• Location of Collapse: First floor of Exposure 3 building: 6 East 23 St. “The Wonder Drug Store.”

Fire Building Construction:

• 7 East 22 St: a brownstone, 20 x 60 brick and joist, four story residence.
• The cellar, where the fire started, and first floor were occupied by an art dealer.
• The cellar extended under the first floor of Wonder Drug for approximately 35 feet.

Collapse Building Construction:

• 6 East 23 St: a five story, 45 x 100 commercial building, brick & joist construction.
• The rear, 16 x 35 foot, section of the first floor collapsed into the cellar occupied by 7 East 22 St.
• The rear and side walls butted up to a 3-story white brick commercial building to the West at 3940-948 Broadway and to a 5-story brown brick building to the North at 6 East 23rd Street

Twelve members of every rank, from a probationary firefighter to a deputy chief, made the Supreme Sacrifice when the ground floor of the Wonder Drug store collapsed. The fire originated in a basement storage area, which was concealed by a four-inch thick cinderblock wall, illegally constructed by the building’s previous owner.

FDNY LODD Twelve Members of Every Rank

• DC Thomas A Reilly, Division .3
• BC Walter J Higgins, Battalion. 7
• Lt John J Finley, Ladder 7
• Lt Joseph Priore, Engine 18
• Fr John G Berry, Ladder 7
• Fr James V Galanaugh, Engine 18
• Fr Rudolph F Kaminsky, Ladder 7
• Fr Joseph Kelly, Engine 18
• Fr Carl Lee Ladder, 7
• Fr William F McCarron, Division 3
• Fr Daniel L Rey, Engine 18
• Fr Bernard A Tepper, Engine 18

References

• NYFD.com Insights and Photos HERE
• FDNY Remembers the 23rd Street Fire on its 45th Anniversary, HERE

• FDNY – Remembering the “23rd Street Fire” October 17, 1966, Facebook Page, HERE

• Personal Account: http://nyfd.com/history/23rd_street/box598.pdf

• http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/the-second-worst-fire-in-new-york-city-history/

• http://www.fdnye16l7.com/History/23rdstreetfire.html

•  New York Times (2006): Oct. 17, 1966, When 12 Firemen Died HERE

• http://firehistory.org/2011/02/october-17th-1966-new-york-ny-23rd-street-fire/

• The Site Today, HERE and HERE

A View from the Street; Remembrance and Paying Respect

A brief trip on Friday took me to the City of Buffalo, New York. Following business, I made my way to 1815 Genesee Street. As the morning sun began to burn off the light layer of fog, I came upon my destination which at first glance is an empty lot sided by a convenience store (bodega) on one side and a side street on the other.

Further observations would reveal a new American flag affixed to the street sign.

A decorative metal plate fastened to a light pole and a small flower arrangement toppled over in the center of the grassy lot.

At 03:51 hours, on August 24, 2009 Buffalo (NY) FD companies responded to a structure fire at this address. As the fire escalated to three alarms, the subsequent partial floor collapse would claim the lives of Lt. Charles “Chip” McCarthy and FF Jonathan Croom. Attached is a previous posting and link on CommandSafety.com with links to the FD and NIOSH reports and incident insights.

Take a read…. 

http://commandsafety.com/2010/03/buffalo-ny-three-alarm-fire-and-double-lodd-report/

NIOSH Report: Career Lieutenant Dies Following Floor Collapse into Basement Fire and a Career Fire Fighter Dies Attempting to Rescue the Career Lieutenant – New York (REPORT HERE)

Much is being written, debated and argued in our profession related to the job, firefighting, operations, safety, tradition and tactics; what we should or should not be doing.

Standing solemnly on this hallowed ground this morning, I prayed and paid tribute to two brother firefighters who represented everything the American Fire Service epitomizes and the sacrifices made for the citizens we protect each and every day.

Look and Study the photo; think about the fact that a building once stood there, that a fire occurred, a Fire Department responded, Companies and Firefighters engaged and went to work the job.

Two brothers paid the ultimate sacrifice based upon their oaths, obligations and responsibilities as firefighters.

1815 Genesee Street Photo by CJ Naum

The panoramic view from the street depicts an empty lot. To the public, it’s a non-descriptive part of the neighborhood and urban landscape and city fabric. To us, it is much more.

That vacant property and it’s represented history from 2009 should give pause and reflection to our job as firefighters, our responsibilities, our duty, our tradition and the continued need for operational excellence, personal competencies and skill development and the strive to be adaptive to the continued challenges the evolving Fireground and buildings presents today and tomorrow.

It’s understanding our buildings, their inherent predictability of performance, occupancy risk and today’s extreme fire behavior that we are leaning so much more about.

My view from the street on Friday, at this address reaffirmed who I am, what I do and why I continue to give back to this; the greatest profession-the Fire Service.

What about you?

Foremost- remembering Lt. McCarthy and Firefighter Croom, and the many other firefighters who over the years and decades have paid the sacrifice. Honor, Duty, Courage and Fortitude.

Courtesy of Buildingsonfire.com

  Building Knowledge=Firefighter Safety
 

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Sometimes it’s the Little things than have the Greatest Impacts

As you assess and size-up buildings, observational skill set development progresses from the big picture (building features) to the details (architectural details) that include being able to identify, comprehend and apply what you are seeing as they relate to operational parameters (strategies, tactics, tasks) and operational practices (Fireground methodologies). Commanders, Company Officers AND Firefighters ALL require KSAs in assessment skill sets; since everyone should be monitoring the entire Fireground, the Building and Fire Behavior.

Bravo-Charlie Side View of Type III URM Masonry Building Photo CJ Naum, Buildingsonfire.com

The degree of KSA proficiencies derived from experience is what will set each group apart as to what each “sees” and processes AND communicates.

During one of my many field trips into the streets, this street view of the Bravo-Charlie side of this Type III building presented a very small detail that would have a very big effect on the Charlie side OPS.

A small steel column was added at some point after the adjacent building was removed (now empty lot).

Closer View of Charlie Wall from the Alley way Photo CJ Naum, Buildingsonfire.com

The resulting loss of the supporting adjacent building and the compromised masonry brick party wall is being supported by this column.

It’s compromise, failure or collapse is likely to bring a sizable or complete perimeter wall (PW) collapse.

Single Steel Support Column Photo CJ Naum, Buildingsonfire.com

The point here is this: the building profile scan (size-up and assessment) starts big and must rapidly distill down to he details, identifying those features, conditions or attributed that have the greatest  projected or actual severity, urgency or growth potential to the fireground operations.

And DON’T Forget to complete or delegate the completion of the Three-Sixty (360) …

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Operational Safety on Fire Escapes

 August 09, 2010- NIOSH F2010-25  Report

Career Fire Fighter Dies from Fall off Fire Escape Ladder –Illinois

Firefighter Christopher Wheatley, CFD

FF Christopher D. Wheatley, Chicago Fire Department (IL)

Firefighter Wheatley and his ladder company were dispatched to a structural fire in a four-story commercial and residential structure.

Upon their arrival, firefighters observed smoke and sparks coming from a cooking exhaust fan chute.

Firefighter Wheatley ascended a ladder attached to the side of the building to gain access to the roof.

He was wearing full structural firefighting protective clothing, including a SCBA.

He also carried a water fire extinguisher with him as he climbed.

When Firefighter Wheatley reached the roof, he lost his grip and fell 53 feet to the ground.

Firefighter Wheatley landed on his feet and immediately dropped to the ground.

Firefighter Wheatley was treated by firefighters and transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital due to multiple injuries.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201025.html

Alpha-Delta Side with Upper Straight Ladder to Roof

Contributing Factors from NIOSH Report

• Using a fire escape to access the roof rather than a safer means such as an aerial ladder or interior stairway
• Victim unable to maintain contact with the vertical portion of  fire escape due to carrying the hand pump.

Key NIOSH Recommendations

• Ensure that standard operating guidelines (SOGs) on the use of fire escapes are developed, implemented, and enforced
• Ensure that tactical level accountability is implemented and enforced
• Ensure that companies are rigorously trained in safe procedures for roof operations and climbing ladders of any type
• Ensure that fire fighters are rigorously trained in safe procedures for carrying and/or hoisting equipment when ascending or descending elevations
• Evaluate the fire prevention inspection guidelines and process to  ensure that they address high hazard occupancies, such as restaurant, and incorporate operational crew participation.

Take the necessary precautions while utilizing these building features to enhance operational flexibility and fire and rescue effectiveness. Photo CJ Naum

Operational Considerations from CommandSafety.com

• IF the fire escape looks unstable, is deteriorated or has evidence of being unsound: Use alternative access means-Don’t use the exterior fire escape for access or operations
• Based on building use and condition, some cast-iron, wrought-iron and steel fire escapes may have weathered deteriorated or missing components and parts. Use care and implement effective situational awareness while ascending or working from landing platforms.     
• The presence of deteriorated or  compromised attachment and fastening hardware, brackets, angle iron and connectors is highly probable.
• Use caution when pulling down a drop ladder from above.
• Be cautious of loose steel  components, grating, stringers, treads, rails, counterbalances as well  as façade building materials that may drop downward when initially pulling a ladder or accessing a stairs.
• Use caution when initially accessing and placing body weight onto ladder steps and rungs, landings and rails. Be prepared for unexpected conditions and reactions.
• The placement of charged handlines will add significant weight to the fire escape system that may already be load stressed. Don’t overload with personnel or handlines.
• Be aware of added live and dead loads and their combined effect on the system integrity.   
• Be aware of the horizontal forces  and loads that a charged handline may apply to railings.
• Look for tenant furniture or other materials that may have been placed or stored on upper escape landings. Watch for and anticipate potential for dropped objects.
• Well-holes  may be deteriorated leading to successive grated balconies and provide limited space to pass through with PPE and carried equipment.
• When ascending stairs or exterior attached ladders and goose neck transitions over roof parapets, edges onto the roof deck, keep both hands free: utilize equipment bags, slings, harness or drop ropes to carry, secure or obtain required tools, equipment or appliances.
• Weather and environmental conditions will change operational risks: slippery walking/ working surfaces, platforms and railings, falling ice, and added loads will increase risk and diminish safety margins.
• Be extra vigilant and cautious during night operations, since the lack of visibility may not identify weakness or hazards; use personal flashlights  and lamps and when time permits, have apparatus mounted spot lights directed to the fire escape and building façade.       
• Fire escapes can be readily found on numerous buildings of heritage and legacy construction. They provide indispensable life safety for their occupants and ready accessibility for fire companies.  
• Take the necessary precautions while utilizing these building features to enhance operational flexibility and fire and rescue effectiveness.

The presence of deteriorated or compromised attachment and fastening hardware, brackets, angle iron and connectors is highly probable. Use caution when pulling down a drop ladder from above. Photo CJ Naum

Fire Escapes come in all sizes. Photo CJ Naum

A View from the Street

Chief Doug Cline and I have lectured extensively on the emerging Tactical Renaissance, Adaptive Fireground management and tactics what has been slowly taking hold of our profession.

The Art and Science of Firefighting is aligning in a manner that will ultimately forge enhancements in our methodologies, model work practices and fireground capabilities that will translate into increased effectiveness and efficiencies to save both lives and property.

Current emerging fire research and studies validates and further strengthens the fundamental tenet of firefighting that resonates loudly; timely and effective placement of a sustainable water source and hose stream within the compartment will have the greatest impact on operational success, building and system integrity, occupant survivability and firefighter safety. 

It allows us to do our job within the building environment and manage the risks.

The deliver methods, options and capabilities of the company will define the probability of risk and likelihood of success in buildings on fire.

Put the Fire Out: Most Problems Become Manageable Photo CJ Naum

FDNY Waldbaum Fire and Collapse: 1978-2013 Remembrance Video

The FDNY members killed in the Waldbaum’s fire included:
• Lt. James E. Cutillo, Battalion 33
• Firefighter Charles S. Bouton, Ladder Company 156
• Firefighter Harold F. Hastings, Battalion 42
• Firefighter James P. McManus, Ladder Company 153
• Firefighter William O’Connor, Ladder Company 156
• Firefighter George S. Rice, Ladder Company 153