Thomas E. Crimmins Medal

 Lieutenant LEO F. FRACASSI

Ladder Company 38

Fire at 2017 Marmion Avenue, Bronx,

Box 75-3103, 2318 Hours, July 3, 1976.

Four Story, 40'  x 85', N. F P. Multiple Dwelling 

IT WAS AN intense fire, fully involving four rooms on the first floor of the tenement, and two rooms on the second. The door to the apartment on the first floor was left open, and the fire was flowing through the public hall, and up the interior stairwell. The stairwell was acting like a natural flue for the fire. There were no windows to be broken for ventilation, and the bulkhead door at the roof had not been opened. It was agonizingly hot.Fireman Ronald Kemly on his stomach, reached with his six foot hook, and managed to partially close the door to the fire. But the transom had been burned through, and the fire still licked out into the public hall. 

Lieutenant Fracassi heard screams from an upper floor, and in complete disregard for his own safety ran past the fire and up the stairs. He kept close to the outside walls, and away from the fire traveling up the well of the stairs, yet the heat was so intense he incurred burns on his ears. 

The door to the fire apartment on the second floor was left open also, adding to the fire in the public hall. Lieutenant Fracassi reached through the heat and closed the door, and continued in a crawl to the screams above him.

As he reached the third floor landing, he saw a horrible sight before him. There in the heat and smoke was a nine year old boy, writhing on the floor, screaming painfully. His hair and his clothing were on fire.Lieutenant Fracassi quickly patted the fire out with his hands, and carried the boy down the stairs, being careful to shield him from the flames that were still pushing up the well.

 After taking the boy to the street, for removal to a hospital, Lieutenant Fracassi reentered the building. Once again he crawled up the fired stairs in search of more victims. However, the intensity of the fire was too great, and the Lieutenant was forced back on the third floor. 

The unfortunate boy, who had been severely burned, died two days later. It is often said in firefighting, that seconds can determine if a life will be saved or lost. Lieutenant Fracassi acted as quickly as was humanly possible, but even his actions lost out to time. The fact that the child succumbed to his injuries in no way detracts from Lieutenant Fracassi's heroism. His dedication to duty, and bravery, mark him, truly, as one of New York's Bravest.

THOMAS 1. CRIMMINS MEDAL

Mrs. May M. Burke provided in her will for the endowment of this medal in memory of her father. He was a contractor, builder and a loyal New Yorker, and son of a volunteer fireman. First presented in 1912.