Mayor
Firefighter
Richard Crespin
Ladder
Company 38
June
5, 1994, 2302 hours
Box
22‑3304, 2304 Crotona Avenue, Bronx
The
night of June 5, 1994, was mild in the borough of the Bronx. A stiff
breeze kept temperatures comfortable. Despite the pleasant weather, the
night tour at Ladder Company 38 was quite busy. By 2300 hours, the
company had already responded to eight boxes. The next run, however,
would really test the mettle of the personnel on duty.
At
2302 hours, Ladder 38 received a telephone alarm for box 3304, reporting
a fire at 2304 Crotona Avenue. As the Ladder Company was responding, the
members could see an eerie, orange glow in the distant sky. From this
distance it appeared they had a "job." Rolling into the block
of the fire building, their guesses were confirmed.
The
fire building was a five‑story, 40 x 75, non fireproof, multiple
dwelling. Heavy black smoke billowed out of two front windows on the
fourth floor. Frantic residents of the building filled the front fire
escape as they fled the "charged" interior. The orange that
had been seen from the distance, had now intensified and lit up the
evening sky.
IF
Richard Crespin was assigned the forcible entry position for the tour.
As the rig came to a stop, he raced to the interior stairs and began his
climb to the fourth floor. Panicked residents obstructed his way as he
fought to reach the fire apartment. Passing an open stairway window on
the third floor, he looked up and saw flames blowing into the shaft. He
realized that the fire had spread from the rear and now had possession
of most of the apartment.
Reaching
the fourth floor, he located the door to the fire apartment. Smoke was
pushing out, around the frame and the paint in the door had blistered
from the heat inside. FF Crespin knew that he had to get the door open.
At this hour of the night, he also knew that it was probable that the
apartment might be occupied and if access were delayed, chances of
survival for any occupant would be diminishing.
The
heavy metal door had warped from the heat making forcible entry
difficult. FF Crespin continued his attempt and finally it opened but
only a few inches. Try as he might, the door would not fully open.
Flames were now lapping out of the apartment above the door. Conditions
were deteriorating, and to make it worse, Engine Company 88 was having
difficulty stretching its line around the residents exiting the
building. FF Crespin knew he had to get the door fully opened for the
Engine Company. To do this he would have to enter the apartment without
the protection of a charged line.
Risking
everything and placing himself at great risk, he squeezed through the
door. Capt. John E. Keenan, the officer in charge, ordered the can man
to use the extinguisher to try and hold back the flames that licked over
his head. The fire in the apartment was being intensified by the strong
wind blowing from the rear of the building.
FF
Crespin was now in a prone position. Suddenly, the fire "lit
up" in the front of the apartment and blew out the two front
windows. In this new light, FF Crespin saw the seemingly lifeless form
of Maria Sanchez, age 33, on the floor of the apartment's living room.
As flames rolled overhead, he quickly crawled to the unconscious woman.
Swiftly he grabbed the woman and dragged her to the doorway, passing her
inert body through the still not fully opened space to Captain Keenan.
FF Crespin continued working on the door. Not until Engine 88 gained its
water did he exit the apartment.
Maria
Sanchez was transported to Saint Barnabas Hospital suffering from burns
and respiratory failure, but alive thanks to FF Crespin. His
determination and total disregard for his own safety, while performing
without the protection of a charged line were in the highest tradition
of this department.
BC
William DeDonato of Battalion 18, says "FF Crespin's hasty and
heroic actions under severe fire conditions saved the victim's life. The
initial diagnosis was 'not expected to survive."'
"I'm
very glad everything worked out for her and just happy that I'm alive
working with my fellow firefighters, says Crespin.
Today,
the FDNY is honored to award the Mayor Fiorello H.
La Guardia Medal to FF Richard Crespin.
Appointed May 6, 1983. Recipient of one Class B award. Has a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts from the State University College at Oswego. Resides in Orange, NY, with wife, Patricia, and, children Caitfin and Kimberly.