Editorial: The Closest of Close Calls

I am happy to report that four FDNY firefighters who survived their jump from fourth-floor windows when their escape route was cut off at the “Black Sunday†fire in the Bronx, NY, on Jan. 23, 2005, will discuss the basics of the incident, the lessons learned, and the support network set up for the injured and their families. This presentation will take place at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore on Thursday, July 27, 2006. These four firefighters, like everybody, have had good days and bad days during the lengthy recovery from their life-threatening injuries. These four have had to deal with both the mental and physical trauma of their experience, injuries, operations, rehab and thinking about their future. I’ve known two of the firefighters for many years. Firefighter Joey DiBernardo taught a class on rescue operations involving a person trapped in a machine at the Firehouse Expo in 2004. Firefighter Jeff Cool was honored at last year’s Expo as the top Firehouse® Magazine heroism award recipient for a roof-rope rescue.

I spoke to Firefighter Eugene Stalowski in his home as he was recovering from his injuries. His wife had twins while he was in the hospital. During the time I was visiting him, Eugene held one infant while Lieutenant Joe Berry held the other infant. All the time we talked, Eugene smiled while he explained what happened during the fire. He was forced to crawl out the fourth-floor window and over the ledge when the intense heat became unbearable. Somehow, a portion of his gear caught on a child gate. Seconds later, as he was hanging there, the material ripped and he plunged to the ground. He suffered many injuries to his lower extremities and his chin hit his knee, jerking back his head. The back of his head hit his air cylinder. This probably saved his life by not allowing his neck to whiplash completely. When firefighters found him, they put a neck collar on him; again, this proved to save his life. Initially, when he was in the hospital, he was able to talk, but then he had to write down what he wanted to say. His neck was bothering him. After an MRI, it was confirmed that he was in serious trouble. His neck was separated from his spine. The surgeon told the family that there was only a slight chance that Eugene would ever have the use of his arms and legs. The doctor asked what the family wanted him to do. The family told him that they had to try to do something. The operation went as scheduled. When the doctor came in to see the patient a few days later, Eugene reached out to shake his hand. It was the doctor this time that was in shock. He couldn’t believe that Eugene was able to reach out to him. As time went on, Eugene had a dream to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade up New York’s Fifth Avenue. Nearly 14 months after the fire, Eugene proudly marched up the avenue with the FDNY contingent.

This is one of those one-in-a-million miracle stories about firefighters with a basically happy ending. The fourth firefighter, Brendan Cawley, suffered internal injuries. All four are recovering from their injuries, but these firefighters know they are truly here on borrowed time and will try to make the most of it.

Speaking of close calls, this month’s installment from Billy Goldfeder details comments from the chief, a company officer and a firefighter who didn’t know he was the focus of a search for a missing firefighter. Ted Jarboe examines firefighter deaths, asking you to consider whether you may be next in line. In Fire Politics, Hal Bruno reports about misinformed critics threatening the future of the FIRE Act grant program. (It was nice to hear recently that $1.5 billion in FEMA funds slated for Hurricane Katrina victims were misused by some. The needy, not the greedy, could have used the money.)

Also, Curtis Massey explains the rapid ascent concept when fighting fires in high-rise buildings. We provide part two of the National Run Survey, profiling the busiest engine, ladder and chief. In our Apparatus Roundtable, manufacturers discuss the 2007 federal emissions standards and what they mean for new apparatus and the departments that purchase them. Joe Berry presents part two of his series describing the hazards of self-storage facilities. Is there one in or near your response area?

Firehouse® is compiling run statistics to be included in the 2005 Volunteer Run Survey, published in the October 2006 issue. If your volunteer department would like to participate, please download the survey forms at www.firehouse.com/magazine/surveys/forms or fax a request on department letterhead to 631-845-7218. The deadline to apply is July 31.

Congratulations to Deputy Chief James P. Smith, a longtime Firehouse® contributing editor, who celebrated his 40th anniversary with the Philadelphia Fire Department on June 29. Deputy Chief Gary Appleby, who wrote “Organizational Core Values†in the March 2006 issue, also marked his 40th anniversary on the same day. All the best.