Captain Denis IV. Lane Memorial Medal

Firefighter John J. Koller.

Ladder Co. 38

Box # 3304

2304 Crotona Avenue

The worst of the summer was over. The long, hot, sweltering, days of July had passed, and August had been relatively comfortable. Thursday the 28th was a beautiful, sunny day in New York City. 

Seventeen year old Louis Martinez was alone in his third floor apartment in the Fordham section of the Bronx, tucked away in the back bedroom. At about 1: 30 p.m a passerby on the street noticed smoke coming from the third floor of the multiple dwelling at 2304 Crotona Avenue. The mechanical alarm box on the corner was pulled, thus setting in motion a series of events that would culminate in the teenager's rescue by Firefighter John Koller of Ladder 38. 

Ladder 38 was out of quarters exchanging air cylinders at division headquarters when the transmission of Box 3304 was received by radio. Shoes were kicked off, boots and turnout coats were slipped on as the rearmount aerial ladder raced through the streets toward Crotona Avenue. 

A ten year veteran, John had been assigned to this company for seven of them. He was the designated outside ventilation man for this particular tour. 

John could see and smell smoke as they approached the location. People were visible on all the building's fire escapes. Grabbing his mask and tools, John raced to his assigned position at the rear of the building. He could see heavy smoke rolling out from all the windows on the third floor, and could hear Handle-Talkie messages requesting water from the booster tank of the engine apparatus. 

The fire had vented out of the open apartment door and was reaching across the ceiling for a distance of 20 feet. The stairwell was threatened. Interior forces could hear screams from above. The engine officer was calling to charge the hose with the 500 gallon water supply carried on the apparatus. Although the supply was limited and only effective for a few minutes of initial knockdown. it would control the fire on the stairs and assist in the removal of trapped, screaming occupants above until adequate water supply could be established. 

John ascended the fire escape to reach his position. It was crowded with a steady stream of nervous, excited people. His cumbersome outer protective gear. tools. and air mask on his back made weaving through the escaping mob extremely difficult. On the second balcony, John was unable to squeeze through the narrow space between the metal stairs and the building wall, the compressed air cylinder on his back added too many inches and the space would not accommodate it. 

By using a reduced profile maneuver, he managed to negotiate the passage and continued on his way up to the third floor but at the cost of a few precious seconds. 

The third floor windows appeared solid with smoke. John broke out whatever glass he Could reach. It was his responsibility to enter and search this end of the fire, but a padlocked steel window gate blocked his entry Into the fire apartment. There would be little help from inside; the interior team had their hands full. Banging and prying, John struggled with the steel gate. Finally, ripping out the screws that held it tightly into the window jambs, he secured his entry point. 

Unbearable heat and thick, iron gray smoke rushed out the window. He had to dive in to get under it. He hit the floor and immediately began his search. Inside, the engine company had gained control of the stairs and was advancing into the apartment. There were two rooms full of fire between John and the engine company, which would be pushed his way as they continued their attack.

 John was only about ten feet into the search when he came across the unconscious figure of Louis Martinez sprawled supine on the floor. John circled his arms about the youth's chest and started to drag hi in toward his comrades' voices in the next room. 

The engine company had knocked down much of the fire in the first room and was within eight feet of John when the booster water supply was abruptly exhausted. It would only take seconds to change over the valves on the apparatus to the hydrant supply, but just then the fire lashed out. In the darkened room, a reddish wall of flame seemed to be coming toward him and the victim he was dragging There was no time to spare. John pulled him around the perimeter of the room as quickly as he could, using his own body to protect the youth from the searing heat. 

Once in the hallway, John ripped off his face piece and administered rescue breathing until relieved by Emergency Medical Service personnel. Louis Martinez was rushed to Jacobi Hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation and second-degree burns over 60 percent of his body. He was admitted in critical condition and remained hospitalized 'for three weeks. 

Firefighter John Koller entered an apartment containing two rooms fully involved in fire from an entry point in the direct path of ventilation. Exposing himself to injury, he traversed a room ripe for a flashover and brought an unconscious victim to safety. The rescued youth would surely have died were it not for John's courageous actions. 

The FDNY is proud to present the Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal to Firefighter John J. Koller.