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^^^^^^^Thanks to ladder 2...From 1975 Medal Day Book
Brooklyn Citizens Medal
Fireman 1st Grade CHARLES R. BOYCE
Ladder Company 108
Fire at 161 Penn Street, Brooklyn. Box 22-335
At 2234 hours, June 27, 1974, 4 Story, 20' x 40' N.F.P., Multiple Dwelling
Heavy fire conditions prevailed as Ladder Company 108 arrived on the scene. Fire had complete possession of the interior stairs from the 2nd floor up to and through the roof of the old Brooklyn Brownstone. Operations, especially laddering, were made difficult by the great number of people in the street yelling and screaming, and the presence of two large trees that obscured part of the building. At the third floor window over the stoop an adult male was passing children to people on an adjoining fire escape.
Ladder 108 raised its aerial to perform necessary ventilation, examination and search on the 4th floor. As Fireman Boyce ascended the ladder he saw that the person who had been passing the children from the 3rd floor had collapsed. Realizing the extreme life hazard, Fireman Boyce ordered the aerial lowered to the 3rd floor while he remained on the ladder.
As he climbed over the man, Chaim Reich, 30, Fireman Boyce found that he had collapsed on top of his 26 year old wife, Sarah. Fireman Boyce struggled to push both through the window, and with the help of another fireman operating on the top rung of the ladder placed them in Ladder 119's bucket. Fireman Boyce continuing his search through extreme heat and smoke found an unconscious child, age 3. He immediately retreated to the window and had the child placed in the bucket.
Returning again to the heavy smoke and heat, Fireman Boyce crawled through a small room into a large bedroom where he found two more unconscious children. Again he delivered them to the front window and passed them to members on the aerial.
The ladder was now moved to the 4th floor. Fireman Boyce again ascended the- aerial and climbed into the front bedroom window. As he reached the room he could see the unconscious forms of an adult female and two children. Reaching one of the children he quickly grabbed the child and carried her to the window and passed her out to a waiting member.
Although near the point of exhaustion Fireman Boyce started to return once again, when the room suddenly burst into flames. Fireman Boyce had to leap into Ladder 119's bucket to save his life. The child removed from the 4th floor was badly burned and died while members were administering first aid.
The five people removed from the 3rd floor were all unconscious and in need of resuscitation to revive them. In successfully rescuing five people and removing one unfortunate victim, Fireman Boyce operated before lines could protect him. While each attempt was made, the fire had increased in volume and intensity. Fireman Boyce laid his life on the line in behalf of his fellow man. He can be justly proud of his actions and the honor bestowed upon him this day.
Brooklyn Citizens Medal
Fireman 1st Grade CHARLES R. BOYCE
Ladder Company 108
Fire at 161 Penn Street, Brooklyn. Box 22-335
At 2234 hours, June 27, 1974, 4 Story, 20' x 40' N.F.P., Multiple Dwelling
Heavy fire conditions prevailed as Ladder Company 108 arrived on the scene. Fire had complete possession of the interior stairs from the 2nd floor up to and through the roof of the old Brooklyn Brownstone. Operations, especially laddering, were made difficult by the great number of people in the street yelling and screaming, and the presence of two large trees that obscured part of the building. At the third floor window over the stoop an adult male was passing children to people on an adjoining fire escape.
Ladder 108 raised its aerial to perform necessary ventilation, examination and search on the 4th floor. As Fireman Boyce ascended the ladder he saw that the person who had been passing the children from the 3rd floor had collapsed. Realizing the extreme life hazard, Fireman Boyce ordered the aerial lowered to the 3rd floor while he remained on the ladder.
As he climbed over the man, Chaim Reich, 30, Fireman Boyce found that he had collapsed on top of his 26 year old wife, Sarah. Fireman Boyce struggled to push both through the window, and with the help of another fireman operating on the top rung of the ladder placed them in Ladder 119's bucket. Fireman Boyce continuing his search through extreme heat and smoke found an unconscious child, age 3. He immediately retreated to the window and had the child placed in the bucket.
Returning again to the heavy smoke and heat, Fireman Boyce crawled through a small room into a large bedroom where he found two more unconscious children. Again he delivered them to the front window and passed them to members on the aerial.
The ladder was now moved to the 4th floor. Fireman Boyce again ascended the- aerial and climbed into the front bedroom window. As he reached the room he could see the unconscious forms of an adult female and two children. Reaching one of the children he quickly grabbed the child and carried her to the window and passed her out to a waiting member.
Although near the point of exhaustion Fireman Boyce started to return once again, when the room suddenly burst into flames. Fireman Boyce had to leap into Ladder 119's bucket to save his life. The child removed from the 4th floor was badly burned and died while members were administering first aid.
The five people removed from the 3rd floor were all unconscious and in need of resuscitation to revive them. In successfully rescuing five people and removing one unfortunate victim, Fireman Boyce operated before lines could protect him. While each attempt was made, the fire had increased in volume and intensity. Fireman Boyce laid his life on the line in behalf of his fellow man. He can be justly proud of his actions and the honor bestowed upon him this day.
