By FireRescue1 staff
NEW YORK — The FDNY Bureau of Training released a statement to FirefighterCloseCalls on Monday about its members’ efforts at the Bronx fire that left 17 dead and 60 injured on Sunday.
Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb, chief of the FDNY Fire Academy, served as command chief at the incident. Chief Leeb shared the following reflections on the work of fire and EMS crews, underscoring the members’ training efforts that positioned them to effect numerous rescues.
Today, we pause and reflect on the tragic fire yesterday in the Bronx. We reflect on the value of our members and their dedication. We also reflect on their training – the foundational cornerstone which prepares and positions our members to perform under even the most demanding of conditions. There were many heroic and amazing actions inside and outside the fire building by both fire and EMS members.
Outside our members were removing victims from the tip of a 35-foot ladder in the rear, they had perfectly positioned aerial ladders enabling multiple rescues in the front, all while many others were rendering patient care and performing CPR on an unimaginable number of children and adults.
Inside, our members overcame several obstacles while locating and extinguishing the fire and searching for occupants. Immediately, our members encountered multiple victims in need of removal. Simultaneously, we searched the numerous apartments with only one elevator for most of the time. Despite our Herculean effort, sometimes the results don’t match the intensity, dedication, training, and absolute effort of our members.
This day – at this fire – was one of those occasions. We are the FDNY – we play to win. This winning mindset entails many small tactical nuances executed proficiently to position us to achieve the greatest possible outcome.”
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