CANARSIE 100 YEARS OF SERVICE ENGINE 257
THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE
BROOKLYN CITIZENS' MEDAL AND DEPARTMENT MEDAL
Awarded to Fireman 2nd Grade Alfred J. Lees, H. & L. 170, for rescuing a
man from drowning off the foot of Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn, on March
28, 1940.
Upon being informed that a man had jumped into the Bay, Fireman
Lees dove from the pier head and located the drowning man. This rescue
was outstanding in that Fireman Lees had to "fight" the man whose life he
was attempting to save. He succeeded in overcoming the drowning man and
brought him to shore. The temperature of the water was ice cold and
Fireman Lees not only had to be treated for exposure but also cuts of his
leg and foot, received during the struggle with the drowning man.
THOMAS E. CRIMMINS MEDAL
Awarded to Fireman 1st Grade Peter J. Bacenet, Engine Co. 257,
for heroic work, at unusual Personal Risk, in effecting the rescue of an
invalid woman from a fire at 414 4th Avenue, Brooklyn on February 1,
1965.
Fireman Bacenet, while off duty, was shopping in the store below
the fire building. When he became aware that a fire had stared in the
building, he directed two citizens to transmit the alarm; one from a
street box, and the other to the firehouse which was across the street.
Fireman Bacenet, realizing that the occupants were in danger, immediately
entered the building hallway to warn occupants and make a search. Severe
smoke and heat had already built up from the fire in progress. In spite
of this, and without regard for his personal safety, Bacenet rapidly
raced to the second floor and made a search for possible occupants.
Finding no people on the second floor, he made sure all doors were in a
closed position (to prevent rapid spread of fire) and ran up to the 3rd
floor. As he passed through the intense heat and smoke, he heard cries
for help coming from one of the apartments. Following the sound, he
located an aged amputee in a wheel chair in one of front apartments.
Picking her up, Fireman Bacenet made his way back through the smoke and
heat to the stairway and carried her to the safety of the street. The
above rescue was performed before any assistance could arrive, without
the protection of a mask, and under dangerous conditions of rapidly
spreading fire. There is little doubt that his actions resulted in saving
the woman from injury and possible death. His courage and initiative are
a credit to this department.
STEUBEN ASSOCIATION MEDAL
Awarded to Firefighter Mark G. Boyd, Ladder 170, for heroic work
at unusual Personal Risk in rescuing Mrs. Catherine Marino from a fire at
906 Rockaway Avenue, Brooklyn on October 13, 1988.
Firefighter Boyd and the other members of Ladder 170 responded to Box
2112, for a report of fire at 906 Rockaway Avenue. Upon arriving the
found that somebody had pour gasoline in the public hallway of a three
story occupied building. The fire had spread to the first and second
floors via the hallway. Boyd's vented the windows on the first floor
while Engine 283 was advancing the line. A woman on the top floor made
her way to the window only to be trapped by the smoke and fire from the
floors below. Mark seeing this, made his way up the fire escape of the
adjoining building. He then kicked out the window of the fire building
and walked window by window to the window with the trapped woman. He
found the invalid woman; Mrs. Marino was removed via the tower ladder
bucket. Mrs. Marino is alive today because of Mark Boyd and heroic
actions.
Unit Citations
Ladder 170 acting Ladder 120, Box 7-5 1643, 0335 Hours, August 30, 1971,
474 Saratoga Avenue
Engine 257, Box 75-2199, 0845 Hours, January 2, 1980, 2130 Rockaway Parkway
Ladder 170, Box 75-2199, 0845 Hours, January 2, 1980, 2130 Rockaway
Parkway
Engine 257, Box 75-2354, 1727 Hours, March 21, 1984, 542 E. 81st Street
Engine 257, Box 75-2219, 1250 Hours, November 22, 1987, 705 E. 93rd
Street
Engine 257, Box 75-2195, January 30, 1992, 2125 Rockaway Parkway
Ladder 170, Box 75-2195, January 30, 1992, 2125 Rockaway Parkway
Honorable Mentions
Engine 257, Box 2263, 1034 Hours, June 21, 1982, 1199 E. 92nd Street
Ladder 170, Box 2263, 1034 Hours, June 21, 1982, 1199 E. 92nd Street
Engine 257, Box 75-2313, 0159 Hours, Jan. 7, 1985, 128 E. 57th Street
Ladder 170, Box 75-2313, 0210 Hours, Jan. 7, 1985, 128 E. 57th Street
adder 170, Box 2370, 2000 Hours, November 30, 1986, 718 E. 79th Street
ENGINE 257 HORSE DRAWN APPARATUS
1897 Gleason & Bailey 50' chemical ladder, #14B, December 15, 1897.
MOTORIZIED APPARATUS
#2619 a 1915 Christie tractor was placed under the 1898 American 4th size
steamer Sept. 3,
1915.
THE MEMBERS OF ENGINE 257
1997
1871 Amoskeag 2 wheel hose reel, #4B,
December 15, 1897.
1898 American 4th size steamer, #2619, in 1898.
1898 Holloway chemical engine, #5NY, from
Ladder 23 in 1908.
1885 Woodhouse hose wagon, #38B, in 1904.
1898 Sabastan hose wagon, #68, in 1910.
1916 Mack hose wagon, #95, November 19, 1915.
1921 White/Pirsch city service ladder truck, #194, in 1921.
1923 American LaFrance 700 gpm, #4290, October 1, 1923.
1927 International hose wagon, #157, November 7, 1927.
1946 Ward LaFrance 750 gpm, #2202, November 26, 1946.
1953 Ward LaFrance 750 gpm, #3290, October 8, 1953.
1947 Mack 750 gpm used has hose wagon from Engine 71, #1148, June 26,
1958.
1962 Mack 1000 gpm, #1153 used from Engine 17, June 6, 1969.
1979 Mack 1000 gpm, #MP7927, July 7, 1980.
1997 Seagrave 1000 gpm, #SP9725, July 1, 1997.
HEADQUARTERS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF NEW YORK
_________
SPECIAL ORDER New
York, February 11, 1919
No. 28
_________________
I With deep regret, the death of Fireman Fourth Grade Fred Fempel,
of Engine Co. 257, is hereby announced to the Department. Fireman Fempel
died in Germany on January 25, 1919, of accidental gun shot wounds while
serving as private in Company C, 30th Infantry, U. S. Army.
II The members of the Department extend their profound sympathy to
the family, relatives and friends of this splendid young Fireman and
Soldier who so nobly responded to the call of his Country.
The Department Order issued for the death of Firemam First Grade Fred
Fempel.
_______
HEADQUARTERS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF NEW YORK
__________
SPECIAL ORDER New
York, September 4, 1945
No. 147
_________________
I With deep regret, the death of Fireman 1st grade Frank
Fiederlein, of Engine Co. 257, which occurred at 7.45 P. M., August 31,
1945, is hereby announced to the Department.
Funeral took place from the John Metzner Funeral Parlor, 2890
Atlantic Avenue, Borough of Brooklyn, at 2 P. M., Tuesday, September 4,
1945. Interment at St. Johns emetery, Queens.
Funeral escort provided.
The Department Order issued for the death of Fireman First Grade Frank
Fiederlein.
HEADQUARTERS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF NEW YORK
__________
SPECIAL ORDER New York, October 16, 1929
No. 59
I By direction of the Fire Commissioner the following is
directed, made and promulgated, to take effect at 9 A. M., October 18,
1929:
Engine Company No. 257 is discontinued as a Combination Company
and reorganized as an Engine Company, equipped with a 2nd Size
American-LaFrance Gasoline Propelled and Pumping Engine and Hose Wagon
(single unit), and an International Harvester Hose Wagon and assignment
as at present.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 170 organized, located at No. 1361
Rockaway Avenue, Canarsie, Brooklyn, equipped with an Auto City Service
Hook and Ladder Truck, and assigned to the 44th Battalion, 13 Division.
With this order are changes of assignments shown in Brooklyn
Supplements Nos, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and Queens Supplements Nos. 1,
2, 3, 4 and 5, and are issued with it. Changes shall be made on
Assignment Cards and Books with lead pencil, until new cards are issued.
By Order of the Fire Commissioner.
Joseph B. Martin
Assistant Chief of Department.
THE MEMBERS OF ENGINE 257
1997
Captain Michael O'Kelly
Lt. Gary Chamberlain
Lt. Michael Marshall
Lt. Charles Young
FF. John Adinolfi
FF. Michael Bianco
FF. Robert Bollman
FF. Philp B. Ceparano
FF. Gerard R. Casey
FF. Edward Cutting
FF. Raymond Devine
FF. Andre Fletcher
FF. James Genovese
FF. Joseph Inglese
FF. Kevin P. Lynch
FF. Thomas Mastrodomenico
FF. Charles Murphy
FF. Jack Paglino
FF. Kevin Roth
FF. Shawn D. Roudi
FF. Michael Ryan
FF. Alphonse Trapanese
FF. Timothy H. Wodicka
FF. Daniel P. Woods
THE MEMBERS OF LADDER 170
1997
Capt. Timothy P. Joyce
Lt. Joseph Cavalieri
Lt. William R. Croak
Lt. William Grant
FF. Joseph Abruzzino
FF. Anthony Alberico
FF. Christopher Bopp
FF. Alexander Brown
FF. Bruce A. Clark
FF. John Farina
FF. John J. Flood
FF. David Giardina
FF. John J. Halleran
FF. Joseph A. Harris
FF. John Hinchey
FF. Matthew R. James
FF. Michael J. Keane
FF. Lawrence Keiley
FF. John P. Kopp
FF. Anthony M. Lombardo
FF. Richard Meeks 3rd
FF. Steven Mormino
FF. John Moschella
FF. Francis Nastro
FF. Robert C. Ostrander
FF. Paul Peterson
FF. Kevin Pfundstein
FF. John Polly
FF. Edward S. Purpora
FF. James L. Savarese
FF. David S. Simms
FF. Edward Slow
FF. Michael J. Sullivan
FF. Hector B. Tyler
FF. Joseph D. Walz
BATTALION 58
BC Isaiah Johnson
BC Ralph Leoce
BC Frank C. Montagna
BC Frank A. Sikorski
FF. Joseph Costello
FF. Edward McNoble
FF. Richard Tanner
FF. John Timpanaro
THANK YOU
Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen
Chief of Department Joseph A. Casaburi
Lenore Koehler - Special Project Director
Milton Di Rienzo - Deputy Director Pension Bureau
Ira M. Kluger & Elsie Oberg
Co-President , Canarsie Historical Society
Charles S. Dono,
Canarsie Historical Society, Vice President for Research
Mand Library, Randalls Island
Photographs
The New York City Fire Museum
Photographs
Micheal Boucher Fire Department Dispatcher
Writing & Designing the Centennial Book
Personal Touch Printing
Printing the Centennial Book
Steve White Fire Department Dispatcher
Designing the art work for the Tee shirt
Warren Fuchs
Photographs
Charlie Miller
Providing the list of apparatus
all Officers Members of the 15th Division
&
The past and present members of Engine 257 & Ladder 170
Return to Mike Boucher's F.D.N.Y. History Page
[Return to Main page]