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In regard to RET CPT William Maloney reply # 1453 Thanks to Ladder2.......
From 1987 Medal Day Book:
James Gordon Bennett Medal
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM F. MALONEY LADDER COMPANY 34
The Upper West Side of Manhattan is a fascinating blend of riverside residences, private brownstones, converted townhouses and a tenement district mixed with old-law and new-law buildings. In their midst, businesses and food stores dot the district. In the middle of the block at 640 W153 St stands a two-story garage which functions as a service depot for NY Telephone Company vehicles. On December 3, 1986, this area of the unusually quiet residential neighborhood was rocked by a devastating explosion and fire that set the stage for a dramatic rescue.
A gasoline-delivery truck, positioned on the sidewalk adjacent to the building, was dispensing fuel into the storage tanks of the garage. The rear wheels had been chocked to prevent the truck from rolling backwards down the steep hill toward the Hudson River. Unknown to the driver or any of the workmen in the building, gasoline was leaking into the cellar. When the gasoline vapors reached a source of ignition, the building detonated with a thundering explosion that was heard for miles. Large chunks of reinforced concrete were catapulted for blocks through the air. The sidewalk in front of the building all but disintegrated and a section of concrete, measuring 60 feet by 60 feet and reinforced by steel bars, collapsed into the cellar. Huge gaping holes and large cracks running across the floor throughout the width of the building opened up. The explosion ruptured a 4½ inch natural gas main, unleashing a vapor that ignited. Fuel tanks in the cellar had ruptured and combined with the gasoline still flowing from the delivery truck and natural gas emanating from the broken pipe created a volcano of fire that reached 60 feet into the air.
At 8:50 p.m. the Manhattan dispatcher received an alarm for an ERS box with no voice contact. Following standard procedure for such an alarm, E84 was dispatched to investigate by themselves. Lt William F. Maloney of L34 was deeply engrossed in paperwork when he heard the alarm sound. The housewatchman signaled that it was an alarm requiring the engine only; Bill, having stopped his typing momentarily, returned to his work. But on arrival, E84 immediately transmitted a 10-75. Within seconds L34 was alerted to the ominous conditions at W153 Str.
When Bill arrived, he observed a severe life hazard. The gasoline truck was on fire just uphill from a six-story occupied multiple dwelling. He ordered one of his forcible-entry team members to evacuate the building. Fearing another explosion, he instructed the other members to clear the area of onlookers and approached one of the gaping holes that was spewing heavy black smoke. He could hear a voice calling for help through the blackness. He couldn't believe that anyone caught in the explosion could still be alive in the twisted metal and broken concrete.
An uneasiness beset him as he contemplated entering the dark and dangerous remnants of the rubble-filled garage. He was fully aware of the possibility that he could be climbing into his own grave. His surprise at hearing the voice turned to apprehension, and then to determination. Suppressing his fear, he disappeared into the smoke to find the source of the cries. He could see flames below him through the cracks in the floor. Fire burned freely through a gaping hole to his right; on the left he also observed a heavy fire condition. He was aware that a hose line had not yet been charged, and he also knew precious seconds were running out for whoever was in the rubble.
Crawling over a section of buckled concrete, he spotted a man, conscious and bleeding from a severe head wound. He informed the lieutenant that he believed his leg might be broken. (It was later determined that it was fractured in ten places.) Bill notified the battalion by radio and began to remove the badly injured man gingerly but quickly, mindful of the possibility of a second explosion. The lieutenant carried him over the buckled concrete, being especially careful to minimize unnecessary movement and pain.
He himself was anxious to get out. The fire, fed by gasoline, heating fuel and natural gas, continued burning out of control. Without suppression, the possibility of additional explosions compounded with the passage of time. Once outside, the victim informed the lieutenant that there might still be additional victims inside. Bill again notified the battalion; with the reunited forcible-entry team he reentered the building repeatedly, searching through a maze of trucks and vans. He needed to replenish his 30-minute air supply three times before he finally succumbed to exhaustion and was removed from the scene for treatment at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
Bill repeatedly exposed himself to injury and death in a flame-engulfed building in imminent danger of secondary explosions. The fire was fed by three sources of extremely volatile fuels; the building was stocked with vehicles, some on fire and all with fuel tanks filled to capacity. His actions saved the life of a man so badly injured that he was unable to effect his own escape. He probably would have died were it not for Bill. The FDNY is proud to award the James Gordon Bennett Medal to Lieutenant William F. Maloney today.
