FDNY Thomas E Crimmins Memorial Award Captain Vincent G Fowler 13th Division
June 3, 1999, 1855 hours, Box 22-8943, 150-28 127th Street, Queens
Appointed to the FDNY on October 14, 1978. Previously assigned to Engine 234, Ladders 123 and 7, Battalion 9 and Divisions 14 and 15. Was a member of the Emerald Society. Cited for bravery three times previously. P.S. 108 in Queens was renamed in his honor. Attended York College. His father, Battalion Chief Vincent Fowler, is retired. Brothers, Andy, L-133, and John, L-176, are on the job. Lived in Holbrook, Long Island, with his wife, Ramona, and daughters, Stephanie, 14, Amy, 18, and Dina, 22.
On the evening of June 3, 1999, at 6:55 P.M., Ladder 173 and Engine 331 received a phone alarm for a fire at 150-28 127th Street in Howard Beach, Queens. Upon entering the block, Lieutenant Steven Stabiner of Engine 331 transmitted a 10-75 for a fire in a 20- x 40-foot, one-story private dwelling with a heavy smoke condition coming from the side entrance. As Ladder 173 pulled into the block behind them, Captain Vincent Fowler knocked on the rear window of the cab, ?We got a job,? alerting members of his company.
Captain Fowler entered the side door with his can man, Probationary Firefighter Paul Torns, and Firefighter George Triptree with the irons. Immediately, they went down to the basement to locate the fire.
As they reached the base of the stairs toward the front of the building, they encountered high heat, zero visibility and a Collyer?s mansion-type condition. Undaunted by the intense conditions and employing his 21 years of experience, Captain Fowler led FFs Triptree and Torns through the heat and clutter to try to locate the fire. The inconceivable volume of rubbish, household supplies and furniture that Ladder 173 and Engine 331 confronted impeded their efforts and made even the smallest progress time-consuming.
Engine 331 now had a 13/4-inch hand-line down the stairs and with no visible fire, the basement was crowded and chaotic with little room to work. Crawling over waist-high rubble, freeing themselves of entanglements and moving obstructions, Captain Fowler and Ladder 173?s inside team finally made it to the room that contained the main fire. Following Captain Fowler?s directions, Engine 331 traced Ladder 173?s path to the fire area with the hand-line.
Ladder 173, now trying to find access to the main body of fire, found this room encased with shelving and boxes. The only fire Engine 331 was able to hit with their hose stream was the rollover of burning gases at the ceiling level. In the midst of all the noise and confusion, Captain Fowler?s voice could be heard, calmly directing the operations.
After several minutes of searching for access in claustrophobic conditions, the heat in the room started to bank down. At this point, Captain Fowler realized that the initial attack was making no headway and conditions were deteriorating. When several member?s Vibralert alarms activated, the Captain reluctantly ordered both companies to withdraw from the basement and notified the 39 Battalion. Fearing for the safety of his men, Captain Fowler called out to his forcible entry team and specifically FF Torns to personally ensure his proby?s safe retreat. Certain that everyone was in front of him and he would be the last man to leave the fire area, the Captain and FF Torns started to make their way out.
Tragically, the obstructions that had slowed their advance now impeded their withdrawal. Captain Fowler (along with several members of both companies) depleted his SCBA cylinder before he could reach the basement stairs. He was forced to remove his face piece in a highly contaminated atmosphere.
Hot, toxic gases entered his lungs, but Captain Fowler, still composed, kept his position in the rear, ensuring that every member got to the stairs before he did. Realizing the gases were about to bring him to the verge of collapse and he would not be able to extricate himself and FF Torns from the basement, Captain Fowler then uttered his final orders, ?Don?t panic. I?m going to transmit a mayday.?
Unfortunately, Captain Fowler became disoriented and never had the opportunity to radio that mayday message. But, FF Torns didn?t panic. He stayed with Captain Fowler, shared his mask with him and tried to assist him out. Captain Fowler then collapsed and FF Torns tried to remove his officer until relieved by FF Anthony Tedeschi from Squad 270. FF Tedeschi gave a mayday.
Captain Fowler?s final concerns were not for his own safety, but for his fellow firefighters. While directing the withdrawal of his men, Captain Fowler performed in the finest traditions of the New York City Fire Department. Due to his selfless commitment to the safety of his troops and the people of New York City, we honor him posthumously today."
New York City Fire Department website