FDNY CAPT RAYMOND KOEHLER E 286 LODD 11/19/1975

[mack]

FDNY Line of Duty Death​

November 19, 1975 - LODD
Captain Raymond Koehler, 54
Engine 286
FDNY. Queens, New York




While overhauling at an arson fire in the basement of a household goods discount store, he was killed, and several firefighters were injured, when they were caught in the explosion of aerosol insecticide cans. Captain Koehler died while en route to the hospital after inhaling a combination of poisonous fumes, natural gas, and carbon monoxide poisoning at the fire. A firefighter who ran out of the basement to get help for his downed brothers, re-entered the basement after taking some oxygen and collapsed. He was removed and rushed to the hospital, where he died December 8th as a result of inhaling the same mixture that killed koehler. A total of nine other firefighters were also overcome. None of the men who were injured were wearing breathing apparatus, as the department policy at the time was that it was optional as determined by company and or chief officer depending on the incident. This incident served as a catalyst in having the policy changed making it mandatory to wear SCBA at all structure fires.


RIP. Never forget.

 

[mack]

 

[ta176]

I worked with him when I was in 233-2 and he was in the first section. In the early 70's 233 was starting to get busy and we used to interchange with Squad 4 on Bristol St. when they did their 10,000 runs. So everybody was telling him to transfer from 233 to a slower Company. So he goes to Eng. 286 which was a lot slower, but works an overtime tour in Rescue 4 only to meet his demise there. Unfortunately it took a life for us to learn that we never enter a basement without a mask to shut off the utilities to the building. He truly was a good guy.