Winter 2008-2009 Boston Firefighters Digest International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718 Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Massachusetts AFL-CIO • Greater Boston Labor Council Dedicated to the advancement of the moral, economic and social standing of the members of the Boston Fire Department in keeping with the dignity of their heroic calling.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Safe and Healthy 2009 Local 718 IAFF Officers 2008-2010 Local 718 IAFF Executive Board Local 718 IAFF House Stewards 2008-2010 Ed Kelly, TL-17 ...... President Artie Brown, E-2, L-19 ...... Gr. 2 [email protected] Tom McCann, E-39 ...... Division 1 Steve Ryan, E-3, H-2 ...... Gr. 3 Rich Paris, R-2 ...... Vice-President [email protected] Michael Lynch, E-4, L-24, D-3 ...... Gr. 4 [email protected] John Cetrino, R-1 ...... Division 1 Jon Hernandez, E-5, D-1 ...... Gr. 3 Nick DiMarino, TL-10...... Treasurer [email protected] Mark Sanders, E-7, TL-17, D-4 ...... Gr. 4 [email protected] Peter Gailunas, TL-17 ...... Division 1 Rick Johnson, E-8, L-1 ...... Gr. 2 Ralph Dowling, FAO ...... Recording Secretary Mike O’Reilly, L-29 ...... Division 2 ______, E-9, L-2 ...... ____ [email protected] [email protected] Tom Curtain, E-10, TL-3, R-1, C-6 ...... Gr. 1 Larry Curran, HQ ...... Legislative Rep. John Sarro, E-24 ...... Division 2 Bill Carey, E-14, L-4, H-1 ...... Gr. 4 [email protected] [email protected] Mike Hegarty, E-16, D-8 ...... Gr. 1 Steve MacDonald, PIO ...... Legislative Rep. Bob Petitti, E-42 ...... Division 2 Brendan Sullivan, E-17, L-7, D-7 ...... Gr. 3 [email protected] Peter Clifford, FAO ...... Fire Alarm Division James Scanlon, E-18, L-6 ...... Gr. 2 Eric Vinitsky, Afghanistan Sergeant-at-Arms [email protected] James Connolly, E-20 ...... Gr. 2 Sean O’ Brien, Academy .. Sergeant-at-Arms Bobby Gallagher, E-21 ...... Gr. 2 IAFF Vice President, 3rd District Kevin Minor, E-21 ...... Sergeant-at-Arms Dan Reardon, E-22, H-3, W-25 ...... Gr. 1 Mike Mullane, E-21 ...... [email protected] Billy O’Sullivan, E-24, L-23 ...... Gr. 1 Office Manager Patricia Damigella Bill Murphy, E-28, TL-10, C-7 ...... Gr. 2 Boston Firefighters Digest Safety Committee Gregory Magee, E-29, L-11, D-11 ...... Gr. 4 Jay Fleming, Div. 2; Neal Mullane, Jr., HQ Pool; Dennis Conception, E-30, L-25 ...... Gr. 1 Boston Firefighters Digest is the official Mike O’Reilly, L-29 Hector Rodriguez, E-32, L-9 ...... Gr. 3 newsletter of Boston Firefighters Local Glen Martin, E-33, L-15 ...... Gr. 3 Pension & Welfare Officers Barry Stafford, Fire Alarm Operations ... Gr. 4 718. Opinions are those of the authors and Ed Street, L-18 & Paul Keeley, D-12 not necessarily those of Local 718, its Steve Mortlock, E-37, L-26, D-5 ...... Gr. 3 members or its affiliates. Corrections will Hospital Representatives, C-11 Tom McCann, E-39, L-18, D-6, C-11 .... Gr. 4 be made when notified in writing. For a John Flowers, John Harding, Charles Popp, E-41, L-14 ...... Gr. 2 subscription, mail requests to the Editor. Steve Langone & James Wright Bob Kilduff, Jr., E-42, R-2, D-9 ...... Gr. 1 Bob Finnegan, Fire Alarm Construction .... Gr. D Digests are distributed to all Boston Boston Firemen’s Relief Fund – 2008-2009 Ed Street, Headquarters ...... Gr. D firehouses, Fire Alarm, Headquarters and Mike Tierney, E-24 President; Kevin McDonough, Fire Prevention ...... Gr. D mailed to member retirees, survivors and Ed Street, L-18 Treasurer; Joe Lohan, Fleet & Facilities ...... Gr. 2 friends. The cost of the Boston Firefighters George Patukonis, Training Secretary; Rich Johnson, Marine Unit ...... Gr. 4 Digest is borne by member dues. Bob Gallagher, E-21; Frank Jones, H-1; Oscar Francisco, E-48, L-28 ...... Gr. 3 Steve MacDonald, PIO; Robert Martin, FIU; Cornell Horton, E-49 ...... Gr. 2 Editor Tom McCann, E-39; Steve Mortlock, L-26; Derek Melendy, E-50 ...... Gr. 4 Melissa Hurley, Dick Ryan, EMS; Bill Tobin, E-22 Roosevelt Robinson, E-51 ...... Gr. 4 MJH Communications Death & Welfare Committee – 2008-2009 Brian Dacey, E-52, L-29 ...... Gr. 2 [email protected] Ed Kelly, TL-17, Chairman; Eric Deroches, E-53, L-16, D-12 ...... Gr. 3 Neal Mullane, Jr. HQ Pool, Treasurer; Paul Minton, Fire Brigade ...... Gr. B Contributors Mike Walsh, R-2, Secretary; Vincent Easterling, E-55, D-10 ...... Gr. 1 Steve MacDonald, Paul Keeley, D-12; Ed Street, L-18; Joe Spinale, E-56, L-21 ...... Gr. 3 Fire Information Officer John Harding, C-11; Nick Di Marino, TL-10; Jody Connolly, Fire Investigation Unit ...... Gr. 2 Gerry Lavey, E-2; Tom Marsters, E-2; Bill Noonan, Steve Mortlock, L-26; Mike O’Connor, E-24; Fire Investigation Unit, K-7 Barry Stafford, FAO; Tom McCann, E-39; Lest We Forget Chris Stevens, E-21; Sean Kelly, E-18; Boston Firefighters Jay Fleming, Jim Kenney, L-4; Bob Kilduff, Jr., R-2; Division 2 Tom Matthews, HQ; Tom McCann, E-39; Local 718 Neal Mullane, Jr., E-37; Ed Paris, TL-17; Vice President John Sarro, L-16; Ed Street, L-18 Lt. Robert T. Kilduff Ladder No. 23 Cover photo by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7 1947-2008 Boston Firefighters Local 718 55 Hallet Street Dorchester, MA 02124 Executive Board Representation 617-288-2100 he President assigns Executive Board members to specific Divisions and Districts of the 617-288-2090 fax Tdepartment to better serve the membership. Members should go to the E-Board Repre- Web site www.bostonfirelocal718.org sentative who is responsible for their District first to handle issues. Office Hours Of course, this does not preclude the members from dealing directly with the leadership of Monday – Friday the Local. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm The Districts are broken down as follows: Boston Firefighters Digest is designed by Districts 1 & 6 ...... Tom McCann, E-39 Districts 8 & 12...... Mike O’Reilly, L-29 Union Printworks, 1193 River Street, District 3 ...... John Cetrino, R-1 Districts 9 & 10...... Bob Petitti, E-42 Hyde Park, MA 02136, (617) 364-5050 Member of GCIU Local 600M Districts 4 & 11.... Peter Gailunas, TL-17 Fire Alarm, Headquarters & Districts 5 & 7 ...... John Sarro, E-24 Fire Prevention .... Peter Clifford, FAO 2 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 President’s Report Ed Kelly, TL-17 The People of Boston Know That When They Need Us – We’ll Be There and the Mayor Knows It! he last 18 months have been some of the most challenging ing positions on a regular basis creating an increase times our Local has had to endure. Our personal and profes in acting out of grade retirements. The city could always just pro- Tsional character has been tested and challenged by the me- mote enough guys to cover the vacancies, but hop up stupid is dia, the administration, and the public. cheaper. What was the Mayor/Globe management solution? No generation exemplified the courage, commitment and Change the retirement laws to strip our benefits. sacrifice more than our members who served during “The War Along the way some of our sheep strayed from the flock. Some Years” of the late 60s to early 80s, fighting thousands of fires of these transgressions deserved the media attention they got, and and burying many friends to protect this city. It was during this some didn’t. What the media failed to mention: there are nearly time, when members showed great personal sacrifice and a 1,600 men and women that make up the Boston Fire Department steadfast dedication to the City of Boston that set the level of and to taint the entire department by association is journalism at respect that Boston firefighters have received from the public its worst. for so many years. One person has stood out for his consistency these past 18 But for the first time ever, who we are as people - our integrity, months. Rod Fraser has consistently insulted us at every turn: our personal flaws, even our devotion to duty have been publicly • He insulted Paul Cahill posthumously by stating publicly questioned. We have been so viciously attacked by the media on that Paul’s not wearing his mask suggests he was impaired. so many levels that even our friends and family are slow to defend Obviously, Rod never ran out of air in a fire building. If he us. To truly explain to someone in detail our side of the hundreds had, he would know the first thing you do when your air is of newspaper, magazine, and television reports and editorials we gone is remove your mask. Bad air is better than no air! I’d would have to write a book. like to know what they taught guys to do when they ran out Most of us would say it started after the Tao’ho fire, but in fact, of air at the fire academy he allegedly ran in the Navy. He the Mayor’s spin doctors began slandering us weeks before the must have taught his guys not to run out of air. fire by leaking to the Globe (through unnamed city officials of •When the Board of Inquiry (whose purpose is to investigate course) inaccurate information to justify their declaring an im- an incident and ensure our internal procedures and protocols passe at the bargaining table and filing at the Joint Labor Manage- did not contribute to any deaths or injuries) issued their re- ment Committee. Menino lied as he always has. The facts are we port in February, they concluded that interpreting autopsies agreed to all of the city’s management reforms and were in dis- and toxicology reports was outside their area of expertise. pute over safer working conditions such as wellness / fitness and My guess is none of the 10 BOI members had ever seen an public safety issues such as a dedicated haz-mat company. As usual autopsy report. Fraser refused to accept the report and vowed it was the firefighter’s union fighting with the city to improve to reconvene the BOI. We endured 10+ days of negative me- our ability to protect the public. dia blaming the Union and calling the report a whitewash. In Then, on August 29th, 2007, tragedy struck when two of our July, he stated on WBZ radio that he never reconvened the brothers were killed in the line of duty operating at Box 4-281. It’s BOI, denied being notified to pick up the autopsies from the hard to imagine how the tremendous sacrifice of giving one’s life D.A., and agreed with the BOI that analyzing those reports to protect the city could be used to destroy the reputation of those is outside their area of expertise. Thanks Rod. Maybe he very people and humiliate their grieving families. But that is ex- should have read it before throwing it out. The BOI Report actly what the Mayor’s administration did when two high ranking was done professionally, and I commend Deputy Chief (unnamed of course) city officials violated Massachusetts’ law by Dunbar and our members for their excellent work under tre- leaking to the media autopsy reports alleging substance use. This mendous pressure. spawned public outcry and a demand for “random” drug testing • This past August, Fraser said that people who retired out of which had not been proposed by the city in this round of negotia- grade - mostly those same guys who survived the war years tions. We know from eyewitness accounts that both Warren and - should go to jail. It is the city’s management policy that Paul performed admirably that night; in fact Paul continued to allows/ forces senior members out of grade. Some of these operate the line even after the building blew up, probably saving guys have since died from cancer or heart conditions con- fellow firefighter’s lives. Warren and Paul may or may not have tracted from this job! Are they faking Rod? I wonder if Rod been perfect men – but they were perfect firemen! They proved filed for disability from the Navy? their willingness to sacrifice for others, which is the cornerstone People who buy into the Menino / Signori / Fraser / Sam Tyler/ of over 300 years of firefighting in this city. The Mayor should Boston Globe spin do not realize what we know; that the institu- have allowed them to rest in peace and handled his contract tional flaws in our department do not stem from the firefighters issues at the bargaining table where they belong! who protect this city every day, but in the Mayor’s 16 year tenure The next major attack was allegations of pension fraud, again mismanaging the department. compliments of Mayor Menino through his head of Administra- At the end of the day we are who we’ve always been, regular tion and Finance, Lisa Signori, and their collusion with the Globe. people trying to make a better life for our families. We take an The fact is the current system for acting out of grade by seniority oath to protect society at all costs, and are proud to do it. The was proposed by the city in 2001 to save money on time off the people we protect have a right to expect the best from us, and we department had to grant every time they switched a member on have always given them our best - sometimes, our lives. the promotional list to cover an officer vacancy on another group. The people of Boston know that when they need us, we’ll be It’s cheaper to just hop up the senior man than to change a guy’s there. And no matter how hard Mayor Menino tries to change it, group. As a result our older/senior members were forced into act- the people of Boston still respect us for that!
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 3 Commissioner’s Unit Citation Presented to Respondents of the MBTA Light Rail Accident on 5/28/08 in Newton he Fire Commissioner is pleased to commend the following named members of Districts 9 and 11, TEngine Company 10, Rescue Company 1 and Tower Ladder Company 3. On the late afternoon of May 28, 2008 the Boston Fire Department Technical Rescue Team responded to a MBTA Light Rail accident in the City of Newton. Under the direction of District Fire Chief Sullivan the team immediately went to work for over six hours to extricate victims and to recover the operator trapped in the wreckage. The members performed very difficult work in a tight and confining area of the damaged, unstable vehicle. The Boston Fire Department Technical Rescue Team worked seamlessly with the Newton Fire Depart- ment and never lost sight that this incident was under their jurisdiction. Members of the Newton Fire De- partment expressed sincere gratitude for the help provided by our team. The members professionalism, cooperation, and dedication to duty at this tragic incident is a credit to the department. Therefore the Commissioner’s Unit Citation is hereby awarded to the following members:
District 9: Engine Company 10: District Fire Chief Frederick Sullivan Fire Captain Colin Kelly, Fire Fighter William Benevelli, Headquarters, detailed to Engine Co. 10 Rescue Co. 2, detailed to District 9 Fire Fighter Ballin Wright Fire Fighter Stephen Flynn Rescue Company 1: Fire Fighter James Nee Fire Lieutenant Santiago Lasa Fire Fighter Leo Hughes District 11: Fire Fighter James McAdams District Fire Chief Joseph McMahon Fire Fighter Louis Preigo Fire Fighter George Paige, Incident Command Technician, District 11 Tower Ladder Company 3: Fire Lieutenant Lawrence MacDougall Fire Investigation Unit: Fire Fighter Stephen Marks Fire Fighter William Noonan Fire Fighter David Galloway Fire Fighter Robert Bullock BY ORDER OF FIRE COMMISSIONER RODERICK J. FRASER JR.
4 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 5 President-elect Barack Obama, center, meets with PFFM President Robert McCarthy and BFD Local 718 President Ed Kelly.
On May 30, 2008, 7 alarms were struck for the James Hook & Son Lobster Company downtown. Over 60,000 pounds of lobster baked during the fire at this Boston landmark. Damage was estimated at $5,000.000.00 – Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
6 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Vice President’s Report Rich Paris, R-2 Let Me Please Introduce Myself would like to take this time to introduce myself. My name is which makes me want to reach out to our mem- Rich Paris and I have been a firefighter since 1986. I have bers. Ialso been involved in the Union since 1992. It all starts with “US.” We are all one, we are all one Union, First, we have just lost a very important and valuable person thank God. on our Board – Vice President Bob “BK” Kilduff – after a long So, what I am trying to say is – be smart – don’t give the and tough battle with cancer. We all miss him and we wish his public or the papers more reason to beat up on us – we need to wife, Joanne, his son BK, Jr. and his daughter, Shannon, all the be careful in everything we do – it is a different job today than it best. was yesterday – some people are jealous of us and will or would I stepped into BK’s role as V.P., and now have been voted do anything to make us look bad – let’s not give them the oppor- into this position. Thank you for your support. I know I have big tunity. shoes to fill, but I will try my best – considering BK was the one Our children are proud that their fathers or mothers are who talked me into running for E-Board over 10 years ago when firefighters – let’s not disappoint them – we don’t want them to we worked together up at Grove Hall!! be embarrassed that their parents are firefighters – but at the rate I would like to thank Eddie Kelly & the E-Board for this we are going, that could happen someday. opportunity to serve and to help out with the contract and also We, as individuals, are a representation of the entire Boston with the other issues coming our way. Fire Department. The day we were sworn in we took an oath to I should not have to remind you that we have had some tough be upstanding firefighters. We do have a great firefighter force times lately, unless you haven’t been reading the papers. I think in this city, one that does the job they are asked to do every time the most important task we have ahead of us is to win back the that bell rings. respect of firefighters from the public. So let’s keep up the good work and show the public that we Yes, the papers have been beating us up, and not all of it is are still the best Fire Department in the Nation. true, but some of it, sadly, is true. We have had some trouble, Thank you, God bless and be safe. Incident Coding here appears to be an obvious trend in cod- by your company and should be credited with outside fires and vehicle fires. Ting incidents with the code 600 “Good an applicable code. Officers, including acting officers, must intent call.” Your company performs a spe- During the month of August, there were take the time to properly code the incident so cific duty when searching for smoke at fire 6116 incidents and 701 of those were coded the increasing workload each year will bring incidents or arriving at EMS incidents. “600.” These incidents included struck boxes, appropriate funding for both manning and The response in itself is a duty performed motor vehicle accidents, alarm activations, equipment.
Ed Loder, Rescue 1 and Jack McKenna, Rescue 2 – Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
Aide to Division 2 Willie Clark and Local 718 Vice President Rich Paris with Mr. Michael Perry. Willie and Rich, while off duty working out at the Dedham Health Club, came to the aid of Mr. Perry who suffered a heart attack at the club by performing CPR and other lifesaving measures. They were honored by the Dedham Board of Selectmen at their town hall. – Photo by Steve MacDonald
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 7 Obituaries 2006 - 2008 Fire Fighter William D. Manning, Lieutenant Warren J. Cudmore, 2006 Fire Investigation Unit ...... August 7 Ladder 8 ...... February 24 Fire Fighter James D. Ford, John T. Dorsey, Fire Fighter Mario J. Dell’Orfano, Engine 55 ...... January 7 Employee Assistance Program ...... August 16 Marine Unit ...... March 1 Fire Fighter Kenneth D. O’Neil, Fire Fighter John F. Robinson, Fire Fighter Stephen A. Jerzylo, Engine 30 ...... January 8 Engine 34 ...... August 18 Engine 48 ...... March 2 Fire Fighter Vincent R. Scalli, Fire Fighter Murdock J. MacRae, Captain John F. Kenney, Engine 50 ...... January 14 Engine 49 ...... August 28 Engine 24 ...... March 9 Fire Fighter William H. Tripp, Lieutenant Francis J. Chapin, Fire Fighter Anthony A. Abban, Fire Brigade ...... January 17 Engine 39 ...... September 4 Engine 2 ...... March 12 Fire Fighter Frederick V. Ahern, Fire Fighter James M. Rizzo, Fire Fighter William C. Millerick, Training & Maintenance Division ... January 29 Engine 31 ...... September 7 Engine 32 ...... March 19 Fire Fighter Henry J. Hudson, District Chief Thomas F. Bohan, Fire Fighter William J. Hegarty, Engine 49 ...... January 31 District 10 ...... September 10 Rescue 2 ...... March 21 Fire Fighter John F. White, Captain John F. Finneran, Fire Fighter John J. Trementozzi, Ladder 21 ...... February 2 Engine 2 ...... September 17 Ladder 8 ...... April 2 District Chief James L. Collins, Lieutenant Richard G. Berninger, Lieutenant Angelo J. Koutrouba, District 5 ...... February 2 Fire Prevention ...... September 19 Ladder 9 ...... April 5 Lieutenant Gaspare R. Panciocco, Fire Fighter John T. Cashman, Lieutenant George B. Hickey, Ladder 28 ...... February 3 Engine 7 ...... September 26 Engine 36 ...... April 19 Fire Fighter Robert Anderson, Fire Fighter Francis E. Callahan, Lieutenant Frank R. Altimar, Engine 34 ...... February 7 Ladder 24 ...... October 7 Fire Prevention Division ...... April 19 Fire Fighter Charles R. Dowd, Fire Fighter Thomas M. O’Toole, Fire Fighter George E. Leighton, Training & Maintenance Div...... February 10 Engine 48 ...... October 19 Ladder 24 ...... April 25 Fire Fighter William J. Desmond, Fire Fighter Joseph H. Murphy, Captain William F. Nasta, Rescue 1 ...... March 1 Marine Unit ...... October 21 Ladder 24 ...... May 1 Fire Fighter Francis X. Mayo, Fire Fighter James E. Donovan, Jr., Fire Fighter William J. Cahill, Ladder 19 ...... March 3 Ladder 14 ...... November 5 Fire Prevention Division ...... May 3 Fire Fighter James B. Lavey, Fire Fighter Leo W. Natale, Jr., Fire Fighter Anthony Cataldo, Ladder 19 ...... March 3 Engine 41 ...... November 14 Marine Unit ...... May 5 District Chief James J. Freeman, Fire Fighter Anthony C. Ciampa, Fire Fighter Phinazee Brown. Jr., District 7 ...... March 4 Ladder 19 ...... November 17 Ladder 25 ...... May 6 Fire Fighter James C. Willard, Fire Fighter James J. Loftus, District Chief Emmet J. Kiley, Engine 8 ...... March 8 Ladder 10 ...... November 22 District 12 ...... May 8 Captain Thomas Berninger, Captain Edward E. McGrady, Fire Fighter Neil F. Sullivan, Engine 17 ...... March 11 Engine 5 ...... November 25 Aide to District 7 ...... May 22 Lieutenant Arthur W. Zahn, Fire Fighter Michael P. Downing, Fire Fighter Arthur J. Leary, Engine 30 ...... March 16 Ladder 17 ...... November 28 Engine 17 ...... May 24 Working Foreman John H. Lawlor, Lieutenant Rosario M. DeMarco, ★★★ Fire Fighter David A. Middleton, Fire Alarm Division ...... March 17 Ladder 31 ...... December 11 Engine 51 ...... May 29 Lieutenant Edwin C. Neimann, Fire Fighter Anthony J. Rock, Fire Fighter Dennis J. Walsh, Ladder 10 ...... March 18 Engine 49 ...... December 16 Motor Squad ...... June 13 Lieutenant Leo C. Reardon, Lieutenant Gerard E. McGowan, Fire Fighter Francis Duffy, Engine 20 ...... March 21 Fire Prevention ...... December 17 Engine 11 ...... June 21 Fire Fighter Robert C. Peterson, District Chief Richard C. Foley, Fire Fighter Thomas P. O’Connell, Jr., Fire Investigation Unit ...... March 30 District 11 ...... December 26 Ladder 18 ...... June 21 Fire Fighter Donald F. Gillis, Lieutenant Francis A. Arnao, Fire Fighter Jimmy L. Young, Engine 37 ...... April 12 Engine 1 ...... December 29 Engine 22 ...... June 26 Fire Fighter Edward V. Lowney, Captain Charles F. Freiberg, Fire Fighter Eugene J. O’Gara, Engine 1 ...... April 16 Ladder 23 ...... December 30 Engine 30 ...... July 3 District Chief Daniel P. Murphy, Fire Fighter Joseph F. Coleman, Captain Robert A. Foley, District 12 ...... April 24 Engine 48 ...... December 31 Ladder 18 ...... July 4 Fire Fighter Robert L. Higgins, Lieutenant Biaggi J. Germano, Engine 24 ...... April 25 2007 Engine 42 ...... July 7 Lieutenant William F. Dyer, Fire Fighter Lawrence F. Buckley, Jr., Fire Fighter Stephen K. Morrison, Engine 51 ...... May 1 Ladder 8 ...... January 2 Marine Unit ...... July 16 Fire Fighter James T. George, Fire Fighter Robert M. Ceurvels, District Chief Steven H. Ostis, Engine 47 ...... May 6 Engine 10 ...... January 7 District 10 ...... July 18 Fire Fighter Earl H. Henson, Deputy Chief John E. Clougherty, Fire Fighter Harvey Campbell, Engine 32 ...... May 12 Division 1 ...... January 15 Ladder 8 ...... July 24 Fire Fighter Walter W. Corwin, Lieutenant Peter W. Judge, Lieutenant Anthony F.Laurano, Engine 32 ...... May 25 Engine 37 ...... January 15 Engine 56 ...... July 26 Fire Fighter Martin J. Rush III, Fire Fighter George E. McGowan, Captain Morley J. Carter, Ladder 28 ...... June 24 Fire Prevention Div...... January 23 Engine 42 ...... July 30 Fire Fighter Anthony J. Gawlinski, Fire Fighter Robert C. DeYoung, Fire Fighter John J. Walsh, Engine 25 ...... July 24 Marine Unit ...... February 8 Engine 3 ...... August 8 Captain Daniel M. Watson, District Chief Thomas J. Hobin, Fire Fighter Richard T. Davis, Engine 7 ...... August 4 District 7 ...... February 10 Engine 20 ...... August 21 Fire Fighter William J. Moore, Fire Fighter Daniel W. Grant, ★★★ Fire Fighter Warren J. Payne, Engine 32 ...... August 6 Personnel Division ...... February 16 Ladder 25 ...... August 29
8 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 ★★★ Fire Fighter Paul J. Cahill, Engine 30 ...... August 29 District Chief James A. Donovan, Jr., District 9 ...... September 17 Fire Fighter John F. Gallagher, Jr., Aide to the Commissioner ...... October 10 Fire Fighter Charles L. Mann, Jr., Ladder 11 ...... October 20 Paul R. Vogel, Fire Alarm Construction ...... October 27 Senior Fire Alarm Operator Robert L. Sullivan, Fire Alarm ...... October 31 Fire Fighter Charles E. Bagley, Lighting Plant 2 ...... November 3 Fire Fighter John F. Casey, Maintenance Division ...... November 5 Captain Kevin J. O’Toole, Fire Investigation Unit ...... November 27 Lieutenant Arthur J. Howard, Engine 3 ...... November 30 Captain Joseph L. Corbett, Fire Investigation Unit ...... December 3 Fire Fighter Edward C. Radzik, Fire Investigation Unit ...... December 3 Fire Fighter Harry S. Huether, The annual ceremony for the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial took place Engine 48 ...... December 15 Thursday, September 11, 2008. Fire Fighter Alfred M. McLaughlin, High Pressure ...... December 18 – Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7 Fire Fighter Lawrence F. Ford, Engine 41 ...... December 20 Captain John E. McLane, Fire Fighter Francis P. Byrne, 2008 Engine 34 ...... March 11 Rescue 2 ...... July 2 Fire Fighter William J. McCarthy, Jr., Lieutenant Robert T. Kilduff, District Chief John J. Hurley, Jr., Rescue 2 ...... January 4 Ladder 23 ...... March 13 Fire Investigation Unit ...... July 14 ★★★ Lieutenant Vincent P. Russell, District Chief Frank A. Sullivan, Lieutenant Bernard J. McTernan, Jr., Rescue 1 ...... January 9 District 3 ...... March 15 Fire Investigation Unit ...... July 18 Lieutenant Paul V. Doherty, Lieutenant Lester W. Monarch, Jr., Superintendent Dennis B. Flynn, Engine 30 ...... January 12 Engine 18 ...... March 15 Maintenance Division ...... August 16 Fire Fighter Winthrop C. Hayward, Fire Fighter James F. Reardon, Fire Fighter Daniel L. McDougall, Engine 30 ...... January 16 Engine 30 ...... March 27 Maintenance Division ...... August 21 Fire Fighter Richard L. Besse, Fire Fighter James A. Meehan, Lieutenant Philip P. O’Donnell, Rescue 2 ...... January 22 Ladder 25 ...... March 27 Ladder 26 ...... August 22 Fire Fighter James D. Regan, Working Foreman Edward J. Downs, Fire Fighter Walter J. Conley, Engine 16 ...... January 28 Fire Alarm Division ...... April 2 Marine Unit ...... September 7 Fire Fighter Robert P. Richardson, Fire Fighter John R. Luongo, District Chief Norman F. Davidson, Jr., Fire Brigade ...... January 28 Rescue 1 ...... April 4 District 5 ...... September 7 Fire Fighter Richard A. Powers, Fire Fighter Edward Homer, Fire Fighter John J. Bogue, Haz Mat Unit H-3 ...... February 4 Maintenance Division ...... April 12 Engine 25 ...... September 11 Fire Fighter Donald G. Newell, Lieutenant Thomas L. Cushing, Fire Fighter Edward F. Bachofner, Ladder 21 ...... February 4 Ladder 9 ...... April 17 Engine 30 ...... September 24 Fire Fighter Robert A. Steadman, Fire Fighter John J. Walsh, Fire Fighter James T. Shea, Jr., Aide to the Commissioner ...... February 6 Engine 3 ...... April 19 Ladder 19 ...... September 25 Fire Fighter William G. Sullivan, Captain Hilbert L. Smith, Lieutenant George F. Lee, Ladder 9 ...... February 10 Engine 28 ...... April 21 Public Information Office ...... September 25 Fire Fighter Joseph Colella, Fire Fighter William J. Mantville, Fire Fighter Norman L. Mayer, Engine 8 ...... February 13 Engine 45 ...... May 9 Ladder 20 ...... September 28 Lieutenant Joseph A. Desmond, Fire Fighter William G. Cudmore, Fire Fighter Robert J. O’Donnell. Ladder 28 ...... February 14 Fire Prevention ...... May 14 Engine 53 ...... October 11 Fire Fighter Francis A. Kane, Lieutenant Edward B. Rist, Lieutenant Gerald R. LaFlamme, Ladder 3 ...... February 16 Engine 56 ...... May 23 Ladder 9 ...... October 11 Fire Fighter Arthur S. Dolber, Fire Fighter Albert J. Ferretti, District Chief Charles L. Ryan, Engine 3 ...... February 23 Engine 51 ...... May 24 District 7 ...... October 18 Lieutenant William F. Griffin, Fire Fighter George McClosky, District Chief Raymond P. Morse, Fire Prevention ...... February 24 Ladder 7 ...... June 9 District 8 ...... October 19 Fire Fighter Carmen A. Campanaro, District Chief Paul V. McCarthy, Fire Fighter Paul P. Loring, Engine 36 ...... February 29 District 6 ...... June 19 Tower Ladder 17 ...... October 21 Fire Fighter John T. Trezzi, Fire Fighter Francis B. Cooley, Ladder 30 ...... March 3 Engine 42 ...... June 23 Active Members – Bold Listing Captain Richard J. Doyle, Jr., Fire Fighter Cornelius M. Keane, Died in the Line of Duty – ★★★ Engine 49 ...... March 11 Engine 50 ...... June 30
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 9 Promotions / Appointments 2006 - 2008
Commissioner Lieutenant Roderick J. Fraser, Jr...... September 5, 2006 Paulo M. DaSilva, Engine 28 ...... January 30, 2006 Thomas E. Brassil, Tower Ladder 3 ...... January 30, 2006 Chief of Department Martin J. Fernandes, Tower-Ladder 3 ...... April 19, 2006 Kevin P. MacCurtain, Division 2 ...... September 5, 2006 Glenn D. McGillivray, Engine 42 ...... April 19, 2006 Sean F. Kelly, Engine 18...... April 19, 2006 Chief of Operations, Field Services Gerard T. Sheehan, Engine 52 ...... April 19, 2006 Paul R. Moore, Division 1 ...... February 22, 2006 Thomas D. Farrell, Ladder 19 ...... April 19, 2006 Peter Gailunas, Engine 7 ...... April 19, 2006 Chief of Operations, Support Services James F. Haines, Training Division ...... April 19, 2006 Andrew O’Halloran, Division 2 ...... February 27, 2006 James P. Greene, Ladder 29 ...... September 26, 2006 John F. Hasson, Division 1 ...... September 12, 2007 Edward E. Munroe, Ladder 29 ...... September 26, 2006 Steven J. Mitchell, Ladder 26 ...... September 26, 2006 Deputy Chief Christopher Corwin, Ladder 1 ...... December 20, 2006 Richard J. DiBenedetto, District 11 ..... September 26, 2006 Mark A. Corwin, Engine 16 ...... December 20, 2006 Richard J. Mullen, District 9 ...... December 8, 2006 Brian J. Tully, Engine 14 ...... February 2, 2007 Michael J. Doherty, District 1 ...... September 12, 2007 Sean B. Linnell, Ladder 4 ...... February 16, 2007 Frank M. Kodzis, District 4 ...... June 11, 2008 Jamie Walsh, Engine 52 ...... April 10, 2007 James R. Evans, District 7 ...... September 26, 2008 William McGuirk, Ladder 16 ...... April 10, 2007 Michael B. Carey, Engine 24 ...... April 10, 2007 District Chief Michael J. Palizzolo, Engine 53 ...... April 30, 2007 John Dempsey, Tower Ladder 2 ...... January 30, 2006 Edward C. Donovan, Ladder 4 ...... April 30, 2007 Mark Buchanan, Ladder 25 ...... September 26, 2006 Patrick Lynch, Engine 52 ...... April 30, 2007 George L. Wyman, Fire Prevention ...... September 26, 2006 William L. Miller, Ladder 4 ...... June 13, 2007 Ronald A. Harrington, Tower-Ladder 3 .. December 8, 2006 Thomas J. Scanlan, Engine 42 ...... August 15, 2007 William J. Meyer, Ladder 29 ...... December 20, 2006 Adrian S. Jordan, Ladder 2 ...... August 15, 2007 Gregory J. Mackin, Engine 22...... December 20, 2006 Calvin Smalls, Ladder 28 ...... September 12, 2007 Dennis L. Keeley, Ladder 18 ...... April 30, 2007 William P. Pappas, Ladder 1 ...... September 12, 2007 David W. Joseph, Engine 7 ...... September 12, 2007 Keith Rowe, Ladder 2 ...... October 23, 2007 Scott J. Malone, Engine 55 ...... December 7, 2007 John R. Berthiaume, Ladder 14 ...... October 23, 2007 Joseph Neimann, Engine 41 ...... April 8, 2008 James E. Sullivan, Engine 55 ...... November 19, 2007 Steven P. Rushton, Engine 10 ...... April 17, 2008 Michael P. Boyle, Engine 21 ...... December 7, 2007 Robert L. Dowling, Tower Ladder 10 ...... June 11, 2008 John R. Soares, Ladder 26 ...... January 9, 2008 Dennis Costin, Engine 33 ...... September 26, 2008 Vincent E. Dimino, Ladder 7...... February 6, 2008 Robert J. Counihan, Ladder 7 ...... February 25, 2008 Captain Marcus A. Dennis, Ladder 28 ...... February 25, 2008 Paul F. Burke, Engine 33 ...... January 30, 2006 Robert E. Hayes, Ladder 25 ...... February 25, 2008 Quentin D. Lee, Engine 33 ...... April 19, 2006 Glen A. Campbell, Ladder 26 ...... April 8, 2008 Richard C. Francis, Engine 51 ...... September 26, 2006 Stephen Avellino, Engine 50 ...... April 8, 2008 Donald J. Price, Ladder 18 ...... September 26, 2006 Jeremiah A. McCarthy, Ladder 1 ...... April 8, 2008 Neal A. Mullane, Jr., Engine 37 ...... December 8, 2006 Daniel R. Dowling, Engine 14 ...... April 8, 2008 Francis X. Walsh, Fire Prevention ...... December 20, 2006 Santos J. Ortiz, Engine 16 ...... April 8, 2008 Carlos Nieves, Engine 5 ...... December 20, 2006 Daniel P. McCarthy, Engine 49 ...... April 8, 2008 David E. Springer, Engine 48 ...... April 10, 2007 Sean M. O’Brien, Ladder 7 ...... April 17, 2008 Richard Connelly, Rescue 1 ...... April 10, 2007 Edward A. Godinho, Engine 53...... June 11, 2008 Garry P. Pilato, Engine 22 ...... April 10, 2007 Daniel A. Fossa, Detail Office ...... August 12, 2008 James M. Doyle, Tower Ladder 10 ...... April 30, 2007 Edmundo James, Ladder 11 ...... August 12, 2008 David J.Cushing, Fire Prevention ...... April 30, 2007 Francis D. Foley, Engine 52 ...... September 26, 2008 Jonathan Rodriguez, Ladder 24 ...... September 12, 2007 Sean E. Coppney, Engine 21 ...... September 26, 2008 John P. Dolan, Headquarters...... October 23, 2007 David J. Connell, Engine 30 ...... September 26, 2008 Joseph G. McNulty, Engine 17 ...... December 7, 2007 Michael J. Whelan, Ladder 16 ...... September 26, 2008 Scott D. Wahlen, Engine 22...... February 25, 2008 Gerald J. Powers, Ladder 4 ...... September 26, 2008 Michael P. Dillon, Engine 52 ...... February 25, 2008 Thomas J. Murray, FIU ...... October 31, 2008 David C. Harrison, Engine 37 ...... April 8, 2008 Christopher P. Sloane, Engine 21 ...... October 31, 2008 Steven E. Shaffer, Ladder 26 ...... April 8, 2008 Christopher M. Burke, Tower Ladder 17 ...... April 8, 2008 Superintendent of Fire Alarm Colin P. Kelly, Engine 7...... April 17, 2008 John P. Henderson ...... April 19, 2006 Jose A. Estrella, Ladder 28 ...... June 11, 2008 Steven P. McGillis, Engine 55 ...... September 26, 2008 Assistant Superintendent of Fire Alarm John G. Smiddy ...... April 19, 2006
Principal Fire Alarm Operator Edward F. Byrne ...... April 19, 2006
Senior Fire Alarm Operator David C. Marshall ...... April 19, 2006 Eileen Clougherty ...... February 2, 2007
10 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Recording Secretary’s Report Ralph Dowling, FAO Send Us Your Email Address for Timely Local 718 Information etting information to our membership is important, get- added to our list, send your name and e-mail address to ting accurate information in a timely fashion is critical in [email protected], or visit www.bostonfirelocal718.org and Gthe Union Business. Rumors can spread around the job register online. about contract or other pressing issues that could damage talks The West Roxbury YMCA is offering free immediate family and strategies that are developing. Over the past several years (wife/husband, son, and daughter) membership to the YMCA for I’ve been fortunate enough to have the support of the leadership families of Local 718 members who are deployed in the military. and membership in developing a member’s data base that can be This membership is also good for all other YMCA facilities in the used to address our members with up-to-date news and informa- Metro-Boston area. If you are interested in this free program for tion. Recently we have had members seriously injured, and did your family, or if you know of a member who is deployed, contact not have correct next of kin information. The information that his or her family and share this information. Contact Kara you provide to this office is critical in the event of an emergency; O’Connor, Public Relations Director, West Roxbury YMCA, 15 also it provides us with information to send you IAFF maga- Bellevue Street, West Roxbury, MA 02232, 617-323-3200 x128, zines, Local 718 Digest and other information. By using e-mail to learn more. we can send messages instantly to hundreds of members in a If you have or wish to post information on an event regarding matter of minutes. In cases when we endorse a specific political our members (retirement party, ski trip, or Local 718 sporting candidate, we can send mailings (U.S. Mail) to target specific events) e-mail me and I’ll send out the information to our mem- towns and cities that out members reside in. This is a great tool bers. Also keep in mind the membership voted this year to and it continues to grow. change the hour of our monthly Union meeting. The monthly With the support of President Ed Kelly, we are re-designing Union meeting will now begin at 7 p.m. Boston Firefighters Local 718 web site. This new web site will This has been a difficult year for all of us; we have been at- be more interactive for our members. By that I mean as members tacked by City Hall and the media. We also have stood tall to- of Local 718 you can go to a member’s only page. From there, gether when called upon by Local 718. The leadership of this Lo- you will have access, with a password and membership number, cal will continue to fight for your rights, and the respect that you to member’s benefits, retired members information, photo gal- all deserve for the service you provide protecting the citizens of lery, E-board representatives and much more. If you do not pres- Boston. ently receive the Local 718 E-Newsletter and you wish to be Have a Happy and Safe New Year!
On October 31, 2008 promotions were held at Memorial Hall. Pictured from left, Commissioner Roderick Fraser, new Lieutenant Tom Murray, FIU, new Lieutenant Chris Sloane, E-21 and Chief of Department Kevin MacCurtain. On September 26, 2008 promotions were held at Headquarters. Local 718 President Ed Kelly joined with Commissioner Fraser and Chief of Department MacCurtain as the following were promoted to Deputy Chief James Evans, D-7; District Chief Dennis Costin, E-33; Captain Steve McGillis, E-55; Lieutenants Frank Foley, E-52; Sean Coppney, E-21; David Connell, E-30; Michael Whelan, L-16 and Gerry Powers, L-4.
Rescue 1.
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 11 Retirements 2006 - 2008 Fire Fighter Mark G. Callahan, Fire Lieutenant Donald C. Kernan, 2006 Investigation Unit Fire Prevention Division Fire Fighter Paul J. Zepf, Rescue Company 2 Appointed 7/23/75 ...... Retired 1/31 06 Appointed 10/22/69 ...... Retired 3/31/06 Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 1/19/06 Fire Fighter Samuel P. Powell, Engine 16 Firefighter Daniel M. Polvere, Ladder 23 Captain John W. Ahern, Engine Company 2 Appointed 1/18/78 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 8/12/70 ...... Retired 3/31/06 Appointed 11/11/70 ...... Retired 1/20/06 Fire Alarm Operator William Chisholm, Superintendent of Fire Alarm Fire Fighter Robert J. Noto, Fire Alarm Division Patrick M. O’Rourke Engine Company 2 Appointed 3/22/78 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 3/31/06 Appointed 8/25/71 ...... Retired 1/20/06 Fire Fighter Paul D. Conlon, Engine 14 Lieutenant Joseph Arsenault, Ladder 14 Fire Fighter Walter W. Joy, Appointed 5/17/78 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 3/31/06 Fire Prevention Division Fire Fighter Harold A. Bodden, Firefighter Phillip Marsh, Appointed 8/31/77 ...... Retired 1/20/06 Personnel Division Special Operations Command Deputy Fire Chief Martin Fisher, Division 1 Appointed 12/6/78 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 6/23/76 ...... Retired 4/30/06 Appointed 10/22/69 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Lieutenant William D. Ceurvels, Ladder 18 Lieutenant Gerard F. Shea, Rescue 1 District Fire Chief Robert F. Snell, District 7 Appointed 10/19/83 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 5/1/68 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Appointed 6/3/70 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Fire Fighter Dennis J. Hogan, Ladder 19 Captain John J. Evans, Engine 8 Fire Fighter / Public Information Officer Appointed 10/19/83 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 10/22/69 ...... Retired 5/31/06 David F. Walsh, Headquarters Electrical Repairman John T. Dorsey, Firefighter Donald R. Starrow, Engine 24 Appointed 6/3/70 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Fire Alarm Division Appointed 12/30/70 ...... Retired 5/31/06 District Fire Chief Richard K. Lynch, Appointed 7/17/96 ...... Retired 1/31/06 District Chief Dennis J. Roache, District 6 District 4 Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department Appointed 4/5/72 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Appointed 8/12/70 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Paul A. Christian District Chief Lawrence S. DiSanto, Fire Fighter Robert J. Campbell, Marine Unit Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 2/15/06 Training Division Appointed 5/12/71 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Firefighter James F. Mahoney, Appointed 6/23/76 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Fire Fighter Edward W. Neff, Fire Prevention Division Firefighter Edward J. Coleman, Ladder 25 Rehabilitation Unit W-25 Appointed 10/22/69 ...... Retired 2/28/06 Appointed 9/27/78 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Appointed 7/7/71 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Firefighter Robert W. Beals, Engine 7 Firefighter Thomas K. Sylvester, Ladder 4 Fire Fighter John F. O’Neil, Fire Brigade Appointed 7/7/71 ...... Retired 2/28/06 Appointed 2/6/80 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Appointed 10/20/71 ...... Retired 1/31/06 District Chief Edmund G. Maiorana, District 5 Firefighter Karen L. Miller, Engine 48 Fire Fighter John F. LaPorte, Engine 8 Appointed 10/20/65 ...... Retired 3/31/06 Appointed 8/14/85 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Lieutenant Robert J. Sullivan, Marine Unit Firefighter James A. O’Sullivan, Ladder 14 Lieutenant Robert Goglia, Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 3/31/06 Appointed 8/20/86 ...... Retired 5/31/06 Special Operations Command Firefighter Leo F. Burns, Engine 5 Appointed 7/17/74 ...... Retired 1/31/06 Appointed 10/28/98 ...... Retired 5/31/06
Local 718 and the PFFM joined Casa Myrna, a Boston domestic violence organization, to take a stand against domestic violence. Advertising in English, Spanish and Portuguese ran on the MBTA and bus lines across the state. – Photo by Liz Curtis
12 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Captain Michael F. Sheehan, Training Division Fire Fighter Kevin Mitchell, Ladder 17 Fire Fighter William J. Puglia, Engine 2 Appointed 5/17/72 ...... Retired 6/30/06 Appointed 3/19/75 ...... Retired 4/30/07 Appointed 7/31/96 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Firefighter Jonathan J. Jackson, Engine 51 Lieutenant Ronald J. Savicke, Engine 2 Fire Fighter Francis J. Byron, Appointed 6/23/76 ...... Retired 6/30/06 Appointed 5/17/78 ...... Retired 4/30/07 Fire Investigation Unit Firefighter Aaron Roberson, Ladder 14 Fire Fighter John J. McGrath, Appointed 7/7/71 ...... Retired 2/29/08 Appointed 10/31/84 ...... Retired 6/30/06 Training Division Fire Fighter Patrick J. MacAuley, W-25 District Chief Nicholas P. Keenan, District 10 Appointed 7/31/96 ...... Retired 4/30/07 Appointed 2/19/69 ...... Retired 3/31/08 Appointed 8/24/66 ...... Retired 7/31/06 Lieutenant William C. Duffy, Ladder 29 Lieutenant Kevin G. Flaherty, Engine 18 Firefighter Kenneth Rodgers, Engine 17 Appointed 8/22/73 ...... Retired 5/31/07 Appointed 3/19/75 ...... Retired 3/31/08 Appointed 1/18/67 ...... Retired 7/31/06 Captain James M. Morrison, Rescue 1 Fire Fighter James R. Oliver, Ladder 19 Firefighter Robert Morgan, Engine 20 Appointed 7/23/75 ...... Retired 5/31/07 Appointed 3/19/75 ...... Retired 3/31/08 Appointed 5/18/77 ...... Retired 7/31/06 Fire Fighter David Humphrey, Tower Ladder 3 Fire Fighter Michael F. King, Jr., Firefighter Jesse B. Jones, Engine 30 Appointed 2/20/91 ...... Retired 5/31/07 Fire Investigation Unit Appointed 8/31/77 ...... Retired 7/31/06 Fire Fighter Jordan Wise, Engine 49 Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 4/30/08 Firefighter Richard Hall, Ladder 11 Appointed 1/18/78 ...... Retired 6/30/07 Fire Fighter Robert Finn, Fire Brigade Appointed 8/14/85 ...... Retired 7/31/06 Fire Fighter Sylvester Jones, Engine 49 Appointed 10/31/84 ...... Retired 5/31/08 Firefighter Joseph Teixeira, Engine 14 Appointed 9/27/78 ...... Retired 7/31/07 Fire Fighter William P. McGourty, Engine 17 Appointed 10/30/85 ...... Retired 7/31/06 Fire Fighter Paul Walsh, Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 6/30/08 Lieutenant John M. Doherty, L.E.P.C Fire Investigation Unit Lieutenant Neal A. Mullane, Engine 21 Appointed 10/20/65 ...... Retired 9/30/06 Appointed 7/23/75 ...... Retired 8/31/07 Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 7/31/08 Captain William J. Buckley, Ladder 16 Lieutenant James R. Wall, Tower Ladder 3 Lieutenant Donald P. Doenges, Engine 50 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 9/30/06 Appointed 2/19/69 ...... Retired 9/30/07 Appointed 8/12/70 ...... Retired 7/31/08 Firefighter Thomas Matthews, Fire Fighter James B. Donahue, Lieutenant Neil F. Doherty, Rescue 1 Headquarters Division Personnel Division Appointed 8/25/71 ...... Retired 7/31/08 Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 11/30/06 Appointed 8/25/71 ...... Retired 9/30/07 District Chief James Famolare, Personnel Division Firefighter William M. Burns, Tower-Ladder3 Fire Fighter William R. MacDonald, Appointed 2/19/69 ...... Retired 8/11/08 Appointed 10/22/69 ...... Retired 11/30/06 Personnel Division Lieutenant Norman Hayes, Engine 28 Firefighter William J. Leavey, Engine 20 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 9/30/07 Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 8/31/08 Appointed 7/26/72 ...... Retired 11/30/06 Fire Fighter David Glover, Ladder 23 Deputy Chief Peter P. Pearson, Division 2 Captain Hubert J. McGrath, Engine 3 Appointed 1/22/86 ...... Retired 9/30/07 Appointed 8/14/85 ...... Retired 9/5/08 Appointed 10/30/74 ...... Retired 11/30/06 Fire Fighter John P. Kelly, Tower Ladder 10 Lieutenant Coleman F. Connolly, Engine 18 Lieutenant John Lovett, Ladder 28 Appointed 1/6/97 ...... Retired 9/30/07 Appointed 5/12/93 ...... Retired 9/10/08 Appointed 3/19/75 ...... Retired 11/30/06 Captain Daniel J. Chisholm, Engine 21 Deputy Chief William F. Hitchcock, Firefighter Mark A. Trifiro, Tower-Ladder 2 Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 10/31/07 Chief of Operations - Support Appointed 1/27/88 ...... Retired 11/30/06 Lieutenant Michael J. Doherty, Ladder 2 Appointed 5/17/72 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Appointed 2/20/91 ...... Retired 10/31/07 Fire Fighter David S. Lang, Fire Brigade 2007 District Chief John J. Ellard, District 6 Appointed 5/17/72 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Senior Fire Alarm Operator Francis G. Fell, Fire Appointed 11/11/70 ...... Retired 11/30/07 Alarm Division Fire Fighter Pyeth V. Jones, Engine 55 Appointed 5/23/74 ...... Retired 1/19/07 2008 Appointed 5/18/77 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Lieutenant Leo D. Stapleton, Jr., Fire Fighter Franklin A. Lawrence, Fire Brigade Fire Fighter Wendell Sumpter, Engine 22 Office of the Commissioner Appointed 1/18/67 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 9/27/78 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Appointed 12/6/78 ...... Retired 1/31/07 Fire Fighter David C. Johnson, Engine 50 Fire Fighter Charles H. Reddick, Ladder 9 Fire Fighter Michael T. Pass, Engine 55 Appointed 1/17/68 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 2/22/89 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Appointed 10/19/83 ...... Retired 1/31/07 Lieutenant John J. Simpson, Personnel Division Fire Fighter William R. Gottwald, Engine 3 Fire Fighter Kevin M. Walsh, Ladder 14 Appointed 12/24/69 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 2/20/91 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Appointed 4/2/86 ...... Retired 1/31/07 Lieutenant Richard J. Walsh, Rescue 2 Fire Fighter David Krasner, Ladder 9 Captain Joseph M. Gilmore, Engine 42 Appointed 7/7/71 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 7/31/96 ...... Retired 9/30/08 Appointed 5/12/71 ...... Retired 2/28/07 Fire Fighter Leonard F. Hansford, Ladder 21 Fire Fighter / Assistant Superintendent District Chief Paul V. Farren, District 4 Appointed 5/17/72 ...... Retired 1/31/08 James H. Pyke, Maintenance Division Appointed 5/17/72 ...... Retired 2/28/07 Lieutenant Martin J. O’Brien, Jr., Engine 50 Appointed 12/24/69 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Lieutenant Kevin J. Clifford, Engine 42 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Deputy Chief Paul R. Moore, Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 2/28/07 Fire Fighter Edward W. Lynch, Jr., Engine 32 Chief of Operations – Field Fire Fighter Patrick A. Munroe, Engine 21 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 5/17/72 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 2/28/07 Lieutenant Gerard J. Powers, Engine 18 Lieutenant James F. Borden, Fire Academy Captain Robert F. Buckley, Ladder 6 Appointed 8/22/73 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Appointed 1/18/78 ...... Retired 2/28/07 Fire Fighter Thomas Dunphy, Fire Brigade Fire Fighter Robert P. McNiff, Fire Brigade Fire Fighter Thomas J. Hale, Fire Brigade Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Appointed 9/27/72 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Appointed 2/6/80 ...... Retired 2/28/07 Fire Fighter Gerard W. Lavey, Engine 2 Fire Fighter / Motor Apparatus Engineer Fire Fighter John J. Flaherty, Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Ronald F. Petrucci, Maintenance Division Fire Investigation Unit Fire Fighter Robert P. Williams, Engine 30 Appointed 7/23/75 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Appointed 12/24/69 ...... Retired 3/31/07 Appointed 12/18/74 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Fire Fighter Alexander Lindsay, Engine 32 Fire Fighter Arthur W. Connors, Marine Unit Fire Fighter Richard N. McSweeney, Ladder 6 Appointed 5/17/78 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Appointed 7/7/71 ...... Retired 3/31/07 Appointed 12/6/78 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Fire Fighter Ricardo Anderson, Tower Ladder 10 Fire Fighter Joseph Maher, Fire Fighter Albert J. Lynch, Ladder 4 Appointed 8/14/85 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Fire Prevention Division Appointed 2/6/80 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Fire Fighter Edward F. Murphy, Ladder 1 Appointed 3/20/74 ...... Retired 3/31/07 Fire Fighter Michael J. O’Callaghan, Engine 10 Appointed 7/31/96 ...... Retired 10/31/08 Fire Fighter Edward Mahoney, Engine 51 Appointed 7/21/94 ...... Retired 1/31/08 Fire Fighter Robert K. Callahan, Ladder 28 Appointed 12/18/74 ...... Retired 3/31/07 Appointed 10/29/97 ...... Retired 10/31/08
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 13 On August 3, 2008, 3 alarms were struck for 19 Mellen Street in Dorchester. – Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
On July 27, 2008, 3 alarms were struck for 22 Trull Street in Dorchester. – Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
14 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Legislative Report Larry Curran, HQ Deval’s Doings or the third time in the last two years, Governor Deval The fact that we have made concessions over the years on nu- Patrick has demonstrated his disdain for firefighters by merous other issues in order to maintain a certain level of health Fvetoing funds from the budget that were intended to be used care is forgotten. for training our members. The thing is these funds come from the money insurance companies collect from premiums on fire PENSIONS insurance. The so called “municipal relief plan” is another way to try and The legislature saw fit to override Deval’s veto of these funds force local retirement boards to turn their assets over to the state the last two sessions of the legislature. But the Governor struck pension system thereby taking the employees contributions and again when he exercised his 9C authority and slashed these funds putting these funds in the hands of the state. for a third time. We are all well aware of the fiscal challenges The legislation, Chapter 68 of the Acts of 2007, created a bo- faced by government. Such a move allows the Governor to cre- gus standard by which local retirement boards have their return ate the illusion he is saving taxpayer money but in fact he is en- on investments compared to the returns of the state pension fund, riching the insurance companies. known as the PRIT Fund, which is managed by the PRIM Board. If the local retirement boards returns over the previous 10 years is HEALTH INSURANCE two percentage points or more, below the return of the PRIM Board Make no mistake about it, the Patrick administration is clearly and the system is less than 65% funded, the board will be declared moving in the direction of removing health care as a topic of underperforming and its assets will be transferred to the PRIT collective bargaining. This effort was disguised in his municipal Fund. relief package which allows municipal governments to scrap their The problem is that the PRIT Fund and the local retirement existing health care plans in favor of joining the state Group In- boards operate under a different set of rules. The PRIT Fund has surance Commission. In order to do this, the employees must no restrictions on it and it can invest in whatever asset classes it approve the change. 70% of the employees unions must approve wishes. The local boards have restrictions as to what asset classes the change and the retirees have one representative who repre- they can invest in and as to what percentage of the assets they are sents 10% of the vote. allowed to put into an asset class. This puts the local boards at a It appears that the powers that be are dissatisfied with the num- considerable disadvantage. To use this standard is dishonest to ber of communities going into the GIC. There is a lot of talk say the least but it serves the purpose of the administration, namely about removing the employees right to vote on whether or not to get control on the members money by using an invalid measur- they make the change. Some want to allow the employer to uni- ing stick which is virtually impossible to meet. laterally decide whether or not they go into the GIC. What is also The administration is allegedly labor friendly but they appear troubling is that Speaker DiMasi has indicated that he favors re- to be following through with a Romney/Healey agenda. moval of the employees right to vote from the process.
The Disability Retirement Process by Larry Curran, HQ The member will file an application for Commission (PERAC) asking that a medical here is a tremendous amount of misinfor- accidental disability retirement benefits with panel be set up to examine the applicant. Tmation in the media regarding disability the retirement board. A physician must file a PERAC is the regulatory agency that over- pensions and the process one goes through statement with the board stating that the mem- sees all retirement boards in the state. PERAC to be awarded a disability pension. The fol- ber is: will set up a medical panel of three lowing is a brief outline of the process each 1) Totally disabled, this means that the unassociated physicians, the majority of member must go through to be awarded a member is unable to perform the duties whom are experts in the field of medicine re- pension. of a fire fighter lated to the member’s injury. When a member is injured in the line of 2) The injury must be considered perma- The medical panel receives all the medi- duty the member must document his or her nent. However, the law allows for mem- cal records prior to the exam and will usually injury and submit the paperwork to the fire bers who retire to be re-examined and review the records prior to the actual exam. department. The paperwork goes to fire head- returned to duty Once the exam is complete the medical panel quarters and to the office of the medical ex- 3) The injury must be job related and in a has 60 days to get its report back to PERAC. aminer. If the member who is injured is re- case where the injury is related to the PERAC reviews the determination of the lieved from duty he or she must report to the heart, lungs or cancer, there is a legal medical panel and in turn forwards the panel’s fire department doctor and sign a release of presumption that the injury is job re- report to the retirement board. all his medical records for the reported injury. lated. To be eligible to retire, two of the three The fire department doctor monitors the fire The member is required to sign a release physicians must answer yes to the three ques- fighters condition and treatment. At the con- of all of his or her medical records, treatments tions certifying that the applicant is totally clusion of the member’s treatment, the depart- etc. The employer also has paperwork that disabled, the injury is permanent and the in- ment doctor clears the member to return to duty. must be filed with information such as what jury is job related. If a member reaches an end result in his the duties of a firefighter are. If the medical panel approves the applica- treatment and is still unable to return to work, When the application process is completed, tion, the Boston Retirement Board will sched- he will then file his papers for a disability pen- the Boston Retirement Board makes a request to ule an appointment for a hearing officer re- sion. the Public Employee Retirement Administration (continued on page 16) Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 15 An Open Letter to the People of Boston This Open Letter t is wrong with the Boston itten and said about all tha y. ear, much has been wr as to contact you directl From Your Over the past y ay to explain our situation w Fire Department. We thought the best w vior!” Firefighters was te, “We do not condone or justify bad beha oremost, we want to clearly sta Distributed to First, and f s; we ves. We are not only coworker , we trust each other with our li stand by our 200,000 Boston Due to the nature of our job y close family, we e than 1,500. As is the case in an are a family – a family of mor Residents on acts. members until we get all the f Election Day, cent of our family who ocused on less than 1 per Over the past year, much attention has been f November 3, 2008 ongdoing. have been accused of wr amily does ayed when a member of our f . We all feel hurt and betr We take pride in our job ive to uphold. ge and reputation we all str something to tarnish the ima ou to know that we are just as committed irefighter violates the law we want y That said, when a f ble. e they are held accounta as you are to making sur act! w that we are in our third year without a contr We also want you to kno ace in the media less than a month partment began to surf ation — Coincidently, the flaws of the de amiliar to the Menino administr Ordinary This is a tactic f lic. Ordinary after contract negotiations stalled! eputation with you, the pub ew bad apples to tarnish our r People exploit the actions of a f d gement flaws, and do not lie with the har Doing ire Department are mana Doing The flaws of the Boston F ves on the line everyday. working people who put their li Extraordinary irefighter ttacks on the Boston F omise that these a . Things! inal point: You have our solemn pr or help, we will respond One f hat we do. When you call f Family will not interfere with w
Always! g o to www.bostonfirelocal718.or Any questions please g Boston Firefighters Local 718
The Disability Retirement Process (continued from page 15) view. The hearing office is an outside attor- the members of the retirement board for their that they feel deserves more scrutiny. ney who will review all the documents and review prior to the board meeting. As you can see the process is extensive. examine the applicant by asking questions At the next retirement board meeting, these An applicant is seen by no less than four sepa- relative to his or her history with the depart- cases are discussed in executive session and a rate physicians and the findings are reviewed ment and the injuries sustained. This step is vote is taken on whether or not to approve the by PERAC, the hearing officer, the retirement to insure that there are no inconsistencies rela- case. board and PERAC again. tive to the claim. The hearing officer submits When the board votes to approve a case, it Subsequent to retirement, members may a report to the retirement board with a recom- is then sent back to PERAC to be reviewed be re-examined and returned to duty. Retirees mended decision. by them and they have 30 days to return the also have restrictions on their outside earn- At this point, the application, medical panel case to the retirement board with an approval ings and if they exceed the limits their pen- report and hearing officer report are sent to or they can direct the board to consider issues sion may be terminated. 16 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Health and Safety Committee Report Neal Mullane, Jr., HQ Pool Modern Materials and Old School Firefighters e have all heard the veterans on the job say that fires today are Modern Material Chemical Released Health Hazard different than they were in years past. Technology and equip- Tires Styrene, Lead Suspected Carcinogen Wment has changed. Building construction has changed; light Benzene, Butadiene, weight truss roofs fail faster than the old rafters. Energy efficient doors Chromium Carcinogen and windows hold more heat inside, keep fires from being detected Hydrogen Sulfide, Mercury Poison longer, and decrease the time to flashover. These elements and many Asphalt Shingles Asbestos Carcinogen others increase the danger to firefighters, but we educate, train, and we Bitumen Suspected Carcinogen adjust to keep ourselves safer. A significant change that is not as tan- Fiberglass Styrene Suspected Carcinogen gible is the chemical makeup of modern materials. What is this stuff, Dioxin Carcinogen why does it burn hotter and faster, and why are firefighters contracting Paint/Varnish Methylene Chloride Carcinogen cancer at an alarming rate? Perchloroethane Carcinogen Pressure Treated First of all don’t fear the Level 3. We have learned to slow down as Wood Arsenic Carcinogen hazardous material releases and very few firefighters get sick or injured Pentachlorophenol Suspected Carcinogen mitigating these incidents. The most dangerous Haz/Mat’s we will re- Plywood/ spond to are building and vehicle fires. These are the fires that expose us Particle Board Arsenic/Formaldehyde Carcinogen to some of the most dangerous and deadly toxins, poisons, and carcino- Upholstery Hydrochloric Acid Corrosive gens. The days of untreated wood, uncoated metals, natural fiber, and Dioxins Carcinogen glass are numbered. All these old school materials are being replaced Plastics (Other) Benzene Carcinogen by modern synthetic materials. Plastics are one of the most abundant Chromium Oxide Carcinogen compounds we deal with every day. The term “plastic” does not sound Styrene Suspected Carcinogen dangerous, but plastic does not occur naturally in nature, it is designed Carbon Tetrachloride Carcinogen in chemical labs and derived from oil, natural gas, and coal. From the Electronics Mercury Poison/Neurotoxin moment a plastic is made it starts to break down. You can smell a shower curtain because it is off gassing and decomposing to the chemicals it When wearing full personal protective equipment and S.B.C.A. we was made from, it gets hard and brittle and we trash it. Plastics break still absorb chemicals through our skin, more so when we perspire. When down faster when heated. Ever notice the smell inside your car on a hot not wearing S.C.B.A. these nasty chemicals have a direct route into our day? bodies, heavy metals in particular may stay forever. Debora Wallace, PhD, author of In the Mouth of the Dragon-Toxic Fires and the Age of Look around your house, office or car. It is easier to point out what is Plastics, says: “Generally, the gases emitted during the shouldering/de- not synthetic. Your plumbing, wire insulation, and trash barrel are most composition stage of a fire are more toxic than those emitted during the likely PVC, polyvinyl chloride. Your mattress, car seat, and couch con- actual burning. Thus, in many fires, the shouldering/decomposition stage tain urethane. Styrofoam is a trademark for polystyrene thermal insula- of a fire is the real killer.” This book is highly recommended reading for tion. Carpeting is a nice way to say nylon, which is a family of com- firefighters; it’s a real eye opener. Wallace also explains that fully devel- pounds that contain polyamides, and non stick cook ware sounds better oped fire burns many toxins completely, but as the room temperature than saying hyrdofluorinated coated pans. All these materials release cools, synthetic chemicals re-enter the temperature range where they re- more toxins when heated; fire does a good job of that. These nasty com- lease the most toxic by-products. This is right about the time we dump pounds are turned into gases and broken down into a toxic, poisonous, our masks for better vision, communications, or overhauling. At this time carcinogenic soup we “take a feed on” at every type of fire. This is we are breathing heavier and perspire. The toxic gases may be colorless chemistry, and chemistry does not lie. and odorless and some toxins attach to the soot we breathe in deep. The respiratory system is the primary route of chemical exposure. Being that most synthetics are derived from oil we draw two conclu- sions: 1. Most are highly flammable and burn hotter than natural prod- Our membership is averaging a cancer diagnosis every month and a ucts; and 2. “Big oil” supplies “Big plastic”, both industries have more cardiac event every two weeks. Google™ the University of Cincinnati funds than the fire service, and they don’t advertise how dangerous their Firefighter Cancer Study, which shows we have an increased risk to the product is. The health factor requires some research and understanding. following cancers; skin, prostate, rectum, stomach, colon, brain, non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and malignant melanoma. Male We are all familiar with CO. All combustion gives off carbon mon- firefighters have the distinction of having a 100% greater chance than oxide. It is the number one poison in the world. Modern materials gen- John Q. Public of developing testicular cancer. erate more hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and CO per pound than natural Why aren’t these facts in the Globe? So, what do we do? We have to materials. Hydrogen cyanide and CO are classified as chemical asphyxi- lose the tough guy attitude and keep your mask on for the entirety of the ates; they surround your red blood cells and prevent your body from fire, especially overhaul. Toxic chemicals do not care how tough you are, using oxygen. On March 23-24, 2006, in Providence, R.I., firefighters they have already killed some of the toughest “Jakes” we had. We have to responded to three separate fires. 27 members were tested for HCN decontaminate our gear on scene, we have to decontaminate ourselves, exposure, eight had symptoms of HCN poisoning, and one member monitor air quality, rehabilitate, rotate companies as air time dictates, took a heart attack. The post incident analysis by the Providence Fire and document everything. In a nutshell we have to keep this crap out of Dept. and Local 799 make 15 recommendations. The first is training on our bodies at any and all costs. The fire department of 20 years ago is not the danger of HCN and air quality monitoring inside the fire building. the one we have today. Presumptive laws cover some disorders, but not The second is strict respiratory protection compliance. all of them. Will we be covered and your family protected in twenty Other compounds we inhale and absorb on a regular basis: years? Why take the chance. At your next fire, before you lose the face piece, imagine you are overhauling a chemical plant with asbestos tiles. Remember, that toxic soup floating around, the black mucus in your nose, the burning in your throat, and the smell coming off your gear all started in those chemical plants.
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 17 Boston Fire Department Chief John A. Martin Fire Academy • Moon Island Recruit Training Program Graduates • November 5, 2007 – March 11, 2008
GROUP 1 ➤ Thomas J. Chadwell, Engine 56 Dennis R. Harrison, Ladder 21 Larentz O. Greene II, Engine 30 Richard J. Savicke, Engine 18 Matthew S. Callahan, Ladder 4 Todd L. Bailes, Engine 51 Michael R. Kennedy, Ladder 2 Nicholas J. Gregorio, Engine 4 Benjamin T. Upton, Ladder 11 Ryan P. Murphy, Christopher J. Abban, Engine 3 Braintree Fire Department Matthew R. Nelson, Engine 21 Ryan J. Pugsley, Matthew M. Crane, Ladder 7 Braintree Fire Department John R .Dever, Engine 14
GROUP 2 ➤ Michael J. Materia, Ladder 15 Michael S. Locust, Engine 56 James M. Walsh, Tower Ladder 17 Michael T. O’Sullivan, Engine 52 Janice M. Kervin, Engine 41 Dana M. Robinson, Ladder 28 James S. Philpott, Engine 30 John R. Adams, Engine 37 Christopher J. O’Connor, Engine 16 Edward Contilli, Engine 33 Christopher M. Dunn, Ladder 24 Michael Fiola, Juan G. Gonzales, Ladder 21 Chelsea Fire Department Bryan J. Griffin, Engine 7
GROUP 3 ➤ Ryan J. Oag, Ladder 14 Roberto Sepulveda, Engine 29 Elson R. Monterio, Engine 29 Daniel J. Kane, Ladder 4 Michael P. Browne, Tower Ladder 3 Dwaine E. Daye, Ladder 14 Gregory D. Williams, Engine 28 Thomas G. Connelly, Engine 49 John L. Howard, Engine 8 Dennis P. Devlin, Ladder 1 Paul Bradley, Engine 33 Jared W. Blaney, Joseph Lynch, Ladder 6 Dedham Fire Department Daniel J. Magoon, Engine 21
GROUP 4 ➤ Clyde A. Forde, Engine 50 Joel T. Cruz, Engine 49 Brendan D. McCarthy, Engine 24 Matthew P. Murphy, Engine 10 John Katikakis, Engine 14 Christopher Briggs, Engine 41 Jacob Yee, Engine 4 Michael C. Ronayne, Timothy D. Gerety, Ladder 2 Tower Ladder 10 Daniel J. McLaughlin, Ladder 15 David P. Blandino, Engine 39 James P .Riley, Tower Ladder 10 Michael J. Woods, Steven E. Kasper, Ladder 7 Braintree Fire Department
18 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Recruit Training Program Graduates • June 11, 2008 – October 9, 2008
GROUP 1 ➤ Michael Browder, Jr., Ladder 6 Manuel A. Andrade, Ladder 2 Matthew J. Kaiser, Engine 28 Leo J. Greeley, Engine 5 Colin J. Dockins, Engine 51 Michael J. O’Donovan, Engine 4 Marc R. Hayhurst, Ladder 6 Rory P. Thornton, Engine 52 William W. Hayhurst III, Sean M. Kelly, Engine 37 Tower Ladder 17 Nicholas Foss, Tyrance J. Corbett, Engine 56 Dedham Fire Department
GROUP 2 ➤ Michael R. Goggin, Engine 10 Daniel Considine, Jr., Engine 8 Andrew C. Burns, Ladder 11 James P. Duffy, Ladder 16 Michael Jeglinski, Ladder 21 Timothy J. Dunn, Matthew R. Kenneally, Engine 14 Chelsea Fire Department William E. Schulze, Ladder 21 Michael G. Angelo, Patrick M. Slattery, Engine 18 Malden Fire Department Michael L. Blake, Jr., Ladder 11
GROUP 3 ➤ Francis S. Jankowski, Jr., Engine 7 Justin T. Yanosick, Ladder 26 Ryan J. Lore, Ladder 24 Sean M. Barrett, Christopher R. Minor, Engine 17 Tower Ladder 3 Mark A. O’Callaghan, Ladder 18 Ryan M. Lynn, Engine 50 Alector E. Tavares, Scott M. Perry, Engine 53 Tower Ladder 10 Antonio Cicolini, Raymond Travers, Ladder 29 Malden Fire Department
GROUP 4 ➤ Leonard A. Whitted, Engine 42 David K. Stock, Ladder 18 Jennifer S. Crosby, Engine 48 David T. McCann, Ladder 4 Stephen M. Sacilotto, Engine 9 Richard K. Boggs, Engine 39 Michael R. Sweeney, Engine 16 Carter Glass, Michael J. McCarthy, Engine 21 Chelsea Fire Department Deanna M. McDevitt, Engine 3 William Condon, Michael P. Tuohy, Engine 24 Malden Fire Department
Fire Academy Creed Let no one’s ghost come back to say, “My training let me down.”
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 19 Anatomy of a Truss Failure by 58 Hyde Park Avenue was a 3-story wood frame residential building with a 2-story Deputy Chief 8assembly area attached. The assembly area had a parallel cord truss roof. In the rear Joseph Fleming 1/3 of the assembly area were several rooms. In this area, the walls also supported the roof structure. The entrance at the rear of the assembly area was at the 2nd floor of the with the assembly portion. (The ground sloped upward from the front.) assistance of: The fire started at approximately 1900 when a mattress ignited on an upper floor of Acting Deputy Chief the residential portion. While attempting to remove the mattress it flared up in the Robert Reynolds (Division 2) stairwell and got out of control. Fortunately, the first companies arrived approximately 2 minutes after dispatch and called for additional help. The District Chief, who was at District Chief E-28 arrived approximately 5 minutes after dispatch, while the Deputy arrived approxi- Paul Keeley mately 4 minutes after the working Fire was struck. The speedy response of Chiefs, (District 12) along with their aides, greatly aided the command and control situation at the incident. This facilitated the recognition and mitigation of the collapse hazard. District Chief Mike Feely (H-1)
Dept. Photographer William Noonan Area Photograph of 858 Hyde Park Avenue (Photos)
John Perry, MIS (Photos) Rear Door Where Mark O’Neil Companies Entered (Photos) “Church” Portion
Mike Flynn (Photos) SIDE C Local 718 (Photos) SIDE B Residential “Church” Portion SIDE D
SIDE A Location Where Fire Vented Out Window Into Truss Roof Area HYDE PARK AVENUE
20 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 Timeline of Fire 19:12:18 Receiving Calls. 19:12:54 Dispatch. 19:14:13 E-53 (Smoke Showing). 19:15:26 L-16 (Working Fire). 19:17:43 Car 12 on scene. 19:19:00 Car 12 (2nd Alarm). Est. Time Fire starts to enter mansard overhang in front. 19:19:40 Div. 2 on scene. Car 12 goes to rear. 19:23:00 Div. 2 & Car 12 discuss hazard of truss roof. 19:24:00 Div. 2 orders 2nd Alarm to respond to Side C Parking Lot 19:25:30 R-2 reports “heavy fire above ceiling of auditorium area.” 19:26:00 Div. 2 orders companies out of area. 19:26:30 Div. 2 (3rd Alarm). 19:27:00 H-1 on scene. 19:30:00 H-1 makes sure auditorium area is evacuated. Est. Time Heavy black smoke fills auditorium and “pulses” out of doors and roof. 19:37:00 TL-10 reports that front half of roof has collapsed. 19:40:00 Div. 2 orders Fire Alarm to repeat order for all companies to stay out of auditorium area. Defensive Operations started. 19:45:00 Entire auditorium roof collapse into building. Smoke starts to bank down at street level. (FFs outside have to wear SCBA.) 19:45-21:45 Defensive Operations continued. 22:25:54 Car 12 returns. (Time for trusses to fail from the time they started to be heavily involved with fire – approximately 10-15 minutes.)
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 21 Anatomy Lessons Reinforced by this Incident of a 1. Notify the incident commander whenever truss construction is discovered. 2. Truss construction should be suspected whenever large interior areas exist without walls or Truss columns.
Failure 3. When a truss is suspected to be above a ceiling, use a pike pole or other tools to open up the ceiling and check for truss construction – If there is a fire barrier in the void. use the same procedure on the opposite side.
4. Communicate interior conditions to the incident commander as soon as possible and provide regular updates.
5. Use a defensive fire-fighting strategy once burning of truss members is identified (unless someone is trapped).
6. Expect imminent collapse, possibly 10 minutes or less, once lightweight truss roofs or floors are involved in a fire.
7. If possible, avoid cutting the truss chords when cutting holes for roof ventilation. Cuts can weaken the roof.
8. Avoid roof areas loaded by air conditioning units, air handlers, and other heavy objects. If any of these objects is identified by companies operating at a fire, the information should be passed on to Incident Commander.
9. Be aware of alternative exit routes at all times when working above or below a truss. If you have to enter area below trusses stay near exterior wall.
10. Consider using roof ladders or working from aerial ladders or platforms instead of walking or standing directly on the roof.
11. Be aware of the possibility of flashover or back draft when opening concealed spaces and take the appropriate safety precautions. When opening ceilings or other concealed spaces, have charged hose line(s) ready.
12. When responding to a fire at a location remote from Command, e.g. the rear parking lot of this building, do not commit to action before reporting by radio to Command for orders/instructions.
13. Try to pre-plan all buildings with truss roofs and identify building on the CAD System.
14. The conditions in the auditorium changed within seconds from light smoke 3-4 feet from ceiling to thick black smoke all the way to the floor. (This has happened at previous firefighter fatalities in Boston.) This probably occurred when “flashover” occurred in trusses which created an oxygen deficient atmosphere, greatly increasing smoke production. Members should not allow light smoke condition to lull them into complacency – anticipate the worst, know how to get out if you have to.
REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING (These are from the Phoenix Fire Dept. SOP’S - but they are also good rules for all IC’s to follow, even when a company officer or senior man is the 1C, before the arrival of a Chief.)
• We Will risk our lives a lot, in a calculated manner, to save SAVABLE lives. • We Will risk our lives a little, in a calculated manner, to save SAVABLE property. • We Will Not risk our lives at all for lives or property that are already Lost.
22 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 What is a Truss? truss can be defined as structural members (such as boards, timbers, beams, or steel A bars) joined together in a rigid framework. They are most often in the shape of a triangle or series of triangles. Some trusses are rectangular. Trusses can be built of wood, steel, wood and steel, or aluminum. Concrete trusses are not common but do exist, usually in very large structures. The truss framework is usually arranged in a single plane so that loads applied at points of intersecting members will cause only direct stress (compression or tension). Three-dimensional trusses (space frames) are very light in weight. The design of a truss, which separates compressive and tensile stresses, allows for a minimum of materials to be used, resulting in economic benefit. The unique characteristic of a truss is the inherent stability of the triangle.
All parts and connections of a truss are vital to the stability of the truss system. The bottom chord of a truss is under tension. A tension member acts like a rope. If the bottom chord of the truss breaks, the truss system may fail by pulling apart. Conversely, the top chord of a truss is under compression. The top chord acts like a column. Failure of a compression member reduces the overall load-bearing capacity of the truss. An often overlooked hazard is found where interior trusses or wooden beams extend beyond the exterior wall to provide a balcony or a stairway landing. Fire burning inside the building can degrade the truss or beam, resulting in collapse of the cantilevered balcony or stairway landing. Fire fighters standing on or under the collapsing exterior landing may be injured or killed.
Scissor trusses are common in construction with Triangular trusses are the most common trusses cathedral ceilings. They are often found in churches. used in single-family dwellings. Triangular trusses provide a peaked roof.
Bowstring trusses get their name from the curved Parallel chord trusses provide a flat roof or floor. shape of the top chord. Parapet walls may hide the The top and bottom chords are parallel. curved roofline on large commercial buildings, They are commonly used in single-family dwellings and smaller e.g. MDC Skating Rinks. office buildings. (Large unobstructed room spaces, such as at They are occasionally used in “fast food establishments.” Florian Hall are often indications of this truss.)
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 23 Anatomy Photos After Collapse with Explanatory Notes of a Upper Beam – Almost completely Truss burned away Failure
Dashed Lines represent where burned Diagonal Lower Beam – Members would have Only Burned at the Top Gusset Plate on connected to Upper Lower Beam and Lower Beams at Gusset Plate Gusset Plates
The Truss Roof was not tied tinto the walls. It appeared to rest on the walls. This is called “Unrestrained” Construction. Because of this, the “Restrained” Construction front wall did not will take a little longer to fail, “buckle.” If the roof but when it does, it will had been tied into the probably damage the wall. walls, i.e. “restrained” “Unrestrained” will fail more the front wall probably quickly, but may not damage the would have “buckled” wall. We should assume an early outward. collapse of the truss, as well as the potential collapse of the wall.
24 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 FRONT OF BUILDING The Truss Roof collapsed into the open area due to the 40 x 50 foot open area that had no walls or columns.
The rear part of the structure had lots of walls to support roof, so trusses were not necessary. This part did not collapse.
This part of the roof stayed attached to the wall somewhat. Probably because it was the furthest area from where the fire spread into the structure, as well as the fact that it was more strongly The roof was not restrained in attached to the wall. This created a any way. It just rested on top of void space underneath the roof. the wall (about 2 inches deep). That is why the roof collapse did not buckle the walls.
This part of the roof eventually collapsed all the way to the floor because the fire spread into the void space from the This is the air conditioning unit, that was adjacent 2-story building. located right in the center of the roof.
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 25 This portion of the truss roof was far from where the fire entered, as well as far from the weight of the AC unit. As a consequence, Anatomy it stayed attached to the wall. of a Truss Failure
This picture illustrates how the safest area under a collapse is near an exterior wall. The void space provides the greatest chance of survival.
Ladder 16 received a new Emergency One rear mount ladder this summer. It marks the return to E-One for ladders and its user friendly jacking system. Also receiving ladders were Ladders 1 and 28.
Engine 28 received a blessing from Chief Chaplain Father Daniel Mahoney as their new pumper was placed in service this summer. Also getting new pumps were Engines 10 and 39. – Photos by Steve MacDonald
26 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009 From the collection of Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 27 Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF-PFFM Non-Profit Org. 55 Hallet Street U.S. Postage PAID Dorchester, MA 02124 Boston, MA Permit No. 57398
On July 27, 2008, 3 alarms were struck for 22 Trull Street in Dorchester. – Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
A Boston Fire Rescue Diver is lowered into Boston Harbor during a training exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard. Boston Fire Rescue Divers have an agreement to provide rescue divers on short notice to the Coast Guard.
Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon.