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Citation Award
January 31, 1999
Mutual Aid Washington Township
On January 31, 1999 the
Westwood Fire Department was called as a FAST team to a house fire in
Washington Township. Before their arrival the fire had broken through the
roof of the split level dwelling and was also venting through the front
door.
As they arrived,
Washington Township personnel were making a valiant effort to enter
through the flames rolling out the front door, while Hillsdale was
battling the flames which had vented through the rear patio doors.
The ladder truck carrying
the FAST team was blocked by vehicles and hose in the cul-de-sac where the
house was located, so the team went to the scene on foot.
On arrival, learning that
a victim was probably still inside, Westwood Chief Rick Woods ordered a
vent and search of the rooms over the garage at exposure four. Two ground
ladders were taken from nearby Washington Township apparatus and placed at
the two windows visible over the garage. Meanwhile an additional FAST team
was ordered to the scene.
Lieutenant Francis
Costello climbed the ladder to the rear bedroom, assisted by Captain
William Quinn, Firefighters Fred Schmidt and Jim Mawdsley. Firefighter
Mawdsley was equipped with thermal imaging equipment. The window was
vented and the team entered. Captain Quinn remained near the window. The
team closed the bedroom door and completed a search of that room.
They then crawled to the
hallway and made a visual check of the front bedroom, finding no victims.
Firefighter Schmidt crawled down the hallway toward the fire and away from
the bedrooms.
Meanwhile the front
bedroom window was completely vented by Lt. Stamatopoulos and Firefighter
Joe Malley from the ground ladder previously raised.
After crawling down the
hallway, with flames rolling above, Firefighter Schmidt located the victim
in front of the bathroom which was fully involved in fire. The thermal
imaging equipment verified that this was the victim, and the team dragged
him back to the window by which they had entered.
Learning that the team
had the victim, Captain Quinn had a second ladder raised adjoining the one
already in place, and cleared space inside below the window. Lt.
Stamatopoulos and Firefighter Malley then climbed these ladders to the
top. They were closely backed up on the ladders by Captain Jim Cole and
Firefighter Dave Zimmerman.
The victim was lifted out
the window to the men on the two ladders and carried down to the ground
and the awaiting paramedics. Unfortunately the victim, a 78-year-old male,
succumbed to his injuries.
This primary search and
rescue, due to urgency, was carried out without a hose line, while fire
had complete possession of the attic above and was free burning in the
center of the house.
The team efforts of the
Westwood Fire Department in the successful culmination of this very
dangerous and difficult rescue deserve the highest praise for their
dedication and training.
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