A heartfelt congratulations and well deserved atta boy goes to FF Brian Cross(now Lt. assigned to D-13). FF Cross was pivotal in saving the lives of multiple people in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. FF Cross along with Captain Thomson, FFs Meyer, Monteleone, Hay, and Giammalvo responded to a reported fire on the 13th floor of the project type fire proof MD.
The events of the morning go as follows:
On December 14th 2016, Ladder 120 was finishing up another busy night tour in the Brownsville Area of Brooklyn. Heading back from another run, FF Cross, chauffeur, could see a column of smoke rising over Mother Gaston Blvd. Knowing its their first due box, they started to investigate. Within a matter of seconds they arrived and could see heavy fire venting out the windows on the top floor. Capt. Thomson trasmitted the 10-77 and ordered his members to the top floor to search and confine the fire.
FF Cross positioned the rig and sized up the building. There appeared to be multiple people trapped at multiple windows in the rooms next to the fire. Knowing the line would be delayed and that this building did not have a working gravity tank, FF Cross realized it imperative to bring a second can to the fire apartment a quick as possible. Arriving on the fire floor FF Cross was met with heavy smoke and zero visibility. He searched for the fire apartment door; fire was now out into the public hall over their heads. As soon as he entered he met up with FF Steve Hay, L120 Can. He handed off the extinguisher and began a search of the apartment. FF Cross aimed for those rear bedrooms where he saw victims, while searching he found an unconscious young boy. He then transmitted the 10-45 to command, reassured two other 10-45s at the window and began to remove the child from the apartment. Using his body as a shield he carried the young boy past the flames to the stairwell where he handed him off and turned back for the others. In all seven victims, one of whom ultimately expired, were rescued at this fire.
Without the protection of a charged hoseline and subjugating his own personal safety, FF Cross operated in the highest traditions of the FDNY. He crawled past and under fire two separate times without the protection of a hoseline to save those in peril. It is because of his actions that the trapped occuapants are alive today.
Way to go brother.
“The tradition Continues….