Featured Members

Chief of Department

Edward Kilduff

Honor Legion Member Chief Kilduff was appointed a New York City firefighter in August of 1977 and worked for six years at Ladder 34 in Manhattan. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983 and worked at Ladder 112 in Brooklyn until his 1989 promotion to Captain of Engine 92, in the Bronx. He continued to rise through the ranks as Battalion Chief(1993), Division Chief (2001), Deputy Assistant Chief (2002) and Assistant Chief and Brooklyn Borough Commander (2004). He has been cited five times for bravery including in October 1988 when he rescued a 51-year-old woman from a burning apartment in Brooklyn, and was awarded the Columbia Association medal of Valor. On June 5,1998 he was awarded the Brooklyn Citizens Medal when he directed the rescue of five firefighters trapped in a building collapse on Atlantic Avenue, also in Brooklyn.  Three members survived the fire and collapse, but two others, Capt. Scott LaPiedra of Ladder 176 and Lt. James Blackmore of Engine 332, succumbed to their injuries.

Fireman 1st Grade Robert E. Farrell awarded James Gordon Bennett Medal…

On February 27, 1965 Ladder Company 4 was assigned to Box-878 for a fire at 989 Second Avenue in Manhattan. The building was a 5-story non-fireproof dwelling, class-A. Upon arrival, Ladder 4 was assigned to assist in the search and evacuation of civilians from the fire building. The interior stairs were already compromised by the fire, so the crew from Ladder 4 utilized the stairs of one the exposures to access the roof of the fire building, however, before they could get there the roof had collapsed. The crew of Ladder 4 checked the rear of the fire building to find heavy fire conditions coming from the windows of floors 3, 4 and 5. These conditions eliminated the option for using the rear fire escape. 

During this time, Firefighter Farrell heard a call for help. He discovered a trapped civilian at a fourth floor window, to the left of the fire escape. The crew decided to initiate a rescue using their roof rope. This decision had its share of risks and dangers, being that the rescuer would have to be lowered through and work as heat, smoke and flames continued emitting from the windows.  The plan was to lower the rescuer, swing him to the window where the victim was located and then swing him back to his right in order to reach a fire escape on the adjoining building. Firefighter Farrell was lowered into position just opposite to where the victim was. He worked himself to the window where the victim was located. He grabbed the trapped woman, and as he then tried to swing back to the fire escape as planned, he discovered that the woman had become entangled in the venetian blind cords and window drapes. In order to free the woman, Firefighter Farrell was forced to hold her with one arm while dangling on the rope, and clear the entanglement with his other hand.

At enormous risk and with great difficulty, having been suspended pendulum fashion and with having had only one leg to maintain his position at the window, the woman was finally freed. Bob then swung away from the window to the fire escape of the adjoining building where he was grabbed by another firefighter. At that moment, then window where the woman had been trapped erupted into flames.

"This woman is alive today due to Fireman Farrell’s efforts. With complete disregard for his own safety, he rapidly and competently performed his duty in the highest traditions of this department", as is printed in the June 6, 1965 printed copy of the FDNY Medal Day Book.

During Bob’s time at Engine 82 / Ladder 31, he recalls the ‘House" receiving a total of 37 medals.  

Bob Farrell, has had an historic career with the New York City Fire Department and has been one of the most valuable and influential fire equipment manufacturers for nearly three decades. Throughout Bob’s historic career, he was awarded nineteen decorations and awards for bravery. He received two Class 1 Medals, which is similar to the military’s Medal of Honor and one of the highest awards for bravery that is presented by the FDNY. 

FIREFIGHTER PETER G. DEMONTREUX

LADDER COMPANY 132

Generally, brownstones are considered to be well-constructed and capable of withstanding the ravages of fire.  This is possible since they are made of brick and stone, giving them their strength, but brownstones also contain fire and heat as do non-fireproof buildings. These factors offer the occupants security, but also make it challenging for  Firefighters initiating searches and rescues.  As strong as the exterior of these buildings is, the interior is nearly all wood, with open stairs that allow fire to travelquickly. This is further complicated by the lack of fire escapes (front and rear), since these are considered private dwellings.  In reality, very few are private dwellings. The brownstone at 175 Putnam Avenue is a classic example--four stories, with limited access to the upper floors and rear of the building.  When the phone alarm came in for this Box, it was followed with numerous reports of people trapped inside the building. Engine 235 arrived first and gave the 10-75. Ladder 132 arrived a minute later and members immediately covered their positions.  Ladder 132 is a unit that has responded to numerous brownstone fires and, normally, their skills and training wouldmake this a routine job. However, this was not a routine job.  At the third-floor window was a trapped victim; 60-yearold Henri Howell, who was in a very tenuous position with high heat and dense smoke pushing all around him. FF Peter Demontreux, the outside ventFirefighter, climbed the aerial to the third floor and pulled Mr. Howell onto the aerial.  Once he had the victim safely on the aerial, Mr. Howell told his rescuer that his friend was still inside the burning apartment. Time was a critical factor; the inside team was still a floor below due to the amount of fire on the stairs and in the hall. FF Demontreux entered the third-floor window and began hissearch. Even with all the modern personal protective equipment (PPE), the heat and smoke drove FF Demontreux back to the window.  Meanwhile, FF Richard Myers, Rescue 2, had climbed the aerial and began venting the adjacent window toallow some of the blistering heat and dense smoke to escape.  Without hesitation, FF Demontreux turned back into the apartment to continue his search. Crawling on his hands and knees, as quickly as possible, he was able to reach the rear room where he found the other victim, 51-year-old Clyde Mantany, who was at the window, trying to get some relief from the smoke and heat.  Knowing there was no fire escape and it would take time for a portable ladder to be brought to the rear or initiate a rope rescue from above, FF Demontreux determined the only way out was the window through which he came. Shielding Mr. Mantany as best he could, the Firefighter led him back through the searing heat to the front of the building. As they entered the front room, the heat ignited into flame and engulfed both men, setting their clothes on fire. FF Myers, still at the aerial, immediately transmitted a mayday.  FF Demontreux, now on fire, with survival instincts telling him to get out, decided not to leave Mr. Mantany behind.  Through this fully involved room and at extreme personal risk, he pulled the burning victim toward the window.  FF Demontreux, while being burned from the flames allaround him, exhibited courage and tenacity by assisting the victim out the window to FF Myers, who was on the aerial.  Once the victim cleared the window, FF Demontreux dove onto the aerial and both victim and rescuer were extinguished by members operating Engine 219’s hand-line, which was positioned in front of the building.  Both victim and rescuer suffered extensive burns; Mr. Mantany received burns over 50 percent of his body, but is alive. Although it was destroyed, his protective gear saved FF Demontreux. Words are inadequate to describe FF Peter G. Demontreux’ heroic actions. He put his life on the line for another humanbeing. His courage and professionalism reinforce the traditions of the fire service and FDNY and always will be rememberedby those who witnessed this act of bravery. For these reasons, he is honored with the Dr. Harry M. Archer Medal.--JTV