VINCENT J. KANE MEDAL

  AWARDED TO  

Fireman 1st grade THOMAS F. FITZPATRICK, JR.

Ladder Company 38

Fire at 1815 Prospect Avenue, Bronx

Box 75-294S

Five Story, 125' x 100', N.F.P. Multiple Dwelling,  

RESPONDING to Bronx Box 2945, the officer and members of Ladder Company 38 were stymied in their attempts to reach the fire scene. Double parked cars prevented the apparatus from entering the block, and the frustrated firefighters found it necessary to run to the scene of the fire. With heavy fire and smoke roaring out of the top floor windows, the members spotted Margaret Dickson perched on a window sill. Neighbors had placed mattresses on the ground directly below the fire victim. Others screamed words of encouragement to "hang on."  

Racing to the roof of 1815 Prospect Avenue, Firefighter Thomas F. Fitzpatrick, Jr. had his duties as the roofman for Ladder Company 38 to perform. He realized by the screams that echoed through the courtyard and multiple dwelling, that the woman in the window was still in danger. After propping open the bulkhead door, he raced to the parapet wall to try and calm the victim. Two residents of the building (Jose Ramos and Oscar Jones) had dropped a rope over the side in an attempt to help.  

Fitzpatrick spotted Tower Ladder 58 readying their apparatus for the rescue. Suddenly the victim grabbed the rope and, screaming hysterically, attempted to climb up the rope. Seconds later, her strength gave out and Ms. Dickson was now dangling in mid-air surrounded by intense heat and heavy smoke.  

Acting in the finest traditions of this Department, Tom Fitzpatrick climbed over the parapet wall and, with a civilian holding his legs, lowered himself to the victim. He grabbed her arm and then her hair and, with a super human effort, pulled her up to the parapet and dragged her onto the roof. Margaret Dickson lives and, with that thought in mind, we honor firefighter Tom Fitzpatrick for his outstanding act of heroism. 

First presented in 1952, this medal is named in honor of  the late Vincent Kane, labor leader and long time president of the Uniformed Firemen's Association