Thomas F. Dougherty Medal

Lieutenant PETER J. INCLEDON 

Ladder Company 38

Fire at 636 Crescent Avenue, Bronx.

Box 44-3324, 1028 hours, December 5, 1974.

Five story, 1001 x 901, N.F.P., Multiple Dwelling

AFTER a busy night, Lieutenant Peter Incledon was about to lock the door on the vacant quarters of Ladder Company 38 and go home when he was notified by some people of a structural fire at Belmont and Crescent Avenues. He gave the particulars to the Bronx Dispatcher by department phone and ran to the scene, a block or two away. 

As Lieutenant Incledon raced to the building he could see that two-thirds of the second floor was involved and that the fire was rapidly spreading upwards. He was soon informed by neighbors that a child was still in the fire apartment. They bad tried to enter but were driven back. 

He ascended the already lowered fire escape drop ladder and entered the fire apartment. The heat and smoke conditions were severe but he started his search. He made a sweep of the bedroom and came back to the window for air. Another thorough sweep of the bedroom convinced him that it was clear. Once more he returned to the window to purge his lungs. 

On the third attempt be penetrated the living room. Although conditions were becoming worse, he summoned his remaining strength and forced himself to go on. He searched along the walls and found no one. He could see flames extending to the private. hall and hear the fire crackling in the next room. The heat was becoming unbearable. Nevertheless, he crawled diagonally across the room and found Barbara Ann Cesaro, age 2, unconscious and burned about the face. 

Lieutenant Incledon picked up the child and quickly retreated to the fire escape where he im. mediately began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage She was brought to the street and then taken to Fordham Hospital as Lieutenant Incledon continued Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. Barbara Ann was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation and 2nd and 3rd degree burns of the face, and released 15 days later. 

As a result of this courageous rescue, Lieutenant Incledon was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation and placed on medical leave. 

If it had not been for the immediate and fearless operation of Lieutenant Incledon, and his willing. ness to lay his life on the line, the child's life would surely have been lost. 

THOMAS F. DOUGHERTY MEDAL 

Chief Dougherty served the Department from 1888 to 1933 with distinction and honor. In addition to inventing the nozzle which bears his name, he was a colorful member of ,the Fire College faculty, where he specialized in teaching the technique and efficacy of ventilation. First award of this medal was in 1937.