Boston Fireﬁghters DigestBoston Fireﬁghters Digest - Winter 2008-2009.pdf · President’s...

Boston Firefighters DigestBoston Firefighters DigestWinter 2008-2009

Dedicated to the advancement of the moral, economicand social standing of the members of the Boston Fire Department

in keeping with the dignity of their heroic calling.

International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

Massachusetts AFL-CIO • Greater Boston Labor Council

Merry Christmas

and Best Wishes

for a Safe and Healthy 2009

Merry Christmas

and Best Wishes

2 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST Winter 2008-2009

Local 718 IAFF Officers 2008-2010

Ed Kelly, TL-17 .............................. [email protected]

Rich Paris, R-2 ....................... [email protected]

Nick DiMarino, TL-10 ................... [email protected]

Ralph Dowling, FAO ...... Recording [email protected]

Larry Curran, HQ .................. Legislative [email protected]

Steve MacDonald, PIO .......... Legislative [email protected]

Eric Vinitsky, Afghanistan Sergeant-at-ArmsSean O’ Brien, Academy .. Sergeant-at-ArmsKevin Minor, E-21 ............ Sergeant-at-Arms

Artie Brown, E-2, L-19 ......................... Gr. 2Steve Ryan, E-3, H-2 ............................. Gr. 3Michael Lynch, E-4, L-24, D-3 ............. Gr. 4Jon Hernandez, E-5, D-1 ......................... Gr. 3Mark Sanders, E-7, TL-17, D-4 ............. Gr. 4Rick Johnson, E-8, L-1 .......................... Gr. 2____________, E-9, L-2 ....................... ____Tom Curtain, E-10, TL-3, R-1, C-6 ....... Gr. 1Bill Carey, E-14, L-4, H-1 ..................... Gr. 4Mike Hegarty, E-16, D-8 ....................... Gr. 1Brendan Sullivan, E-17, L-7, D-7 .......... Gr. 3James Scanlon, E-18, L-6 ...................... Gr. 2James Connolly, E-20 ............................ Gr. 2Bobby Gallagher, E-21 .......................... Gr. 2Dan Reardon, E-22, H-3, W-25 ............. Gr. 1Billy O’Sullivan, E-24, L-23 ................. Gr. 1Bill Murphy, E-28, TL-10, C-7 .............. Gr. 2Gregory Magee, E-29, L-11, D-11 ........ Gr. 4Dennis Conception, E-30, L-25 ............. Gr. 1Hector Rodriguez, E-32, L-9 ................. Gr. 3Glen Martin, E-33, L-15 ........................ Gr. 3Barry Stafford, Fire Alarm Operations ... Gr. 4Steve Mortlock, E-37, L-26, D-5 ........... Gr. 3Tom McCann, E-39, L-18, D-6, C-11 .... Gr. 4Charles Popp, E-41, L-14 ...................... Gr. 2Bob Kilduff, Jr., E-42, R-2, D-9 ............ Gr. 1Bob Finnegan, Fire Alarm Construction .... Gr. DEd Street, Headquarters ......................... Gr. DKevin McDonough, Fire Prevention ...... Gr. DJoe Lohan, Fleet & Facilities ................. Gr. 2Rich Johnson, Marine Unit .................... Gr. 4Oscar Francisco, E-48, L-28 .................. Gr. 3Cornell Horton, E-49 ............................. Gr. 2Derek Melendy, E-50 ............................ Gr. 4Roosevelt Robinson, E-51 ..................... Gr. 4Brian Dacey, E-52, L-29 ........................ Gr. 2Eric Deroches, E-53, L-16, D-12 ........... Gr. 3Paul Minton, Fire Brigade ..................... Gr. BVincent Easterling, E-55, D-10 .............. Gr. 1Joe Spinale, E-56, L-21 ......................... Gr. 3Jody Connolly, Fire Investigation Unit ...... Gr. 2

Local 718 IAFF House Stewards

Boston Firefighters DigestBoston Firefighters Digest is the officialnewsletter of Boston Firefighters Local718. Opinions are those of the authors andnot necessarily those of Local 718, itsmembers or its affiliates. Corrections willbe made when notified in writing. For asubscription, mail requests to the Editor.Digests are distributed to all Bostonfirehouses, Fire Alarm, Headquarters andmailed to member retirees, survivors andfriends. The cost of the Boston FirefightersDigest is borne by member dues.

EditorMelissa Hurley,

MJH [email protected]

ContributorsSteve MacDonald,

Fire Information Officer

Bill Noonan,Fire Investigation Unit, K-7

Jay Fleming,Division 2

Boston Firefighters Local 71855 Hallet Street

Dorchester, MA 02124617-288-2100

617-288-2090 faxWeb site www.bostonfirelocal718.org

Office HoursMonday – Friday

9:00 am – 4:00 pmBoston Firefighters Digest is designed by

Union Printworks, 1193 River Street,Hyde Park, MA 02136, (617) 364-5050

Member of GCIU Local 600M

Local 718 IAFF Executive Board2008-2010

Tom McCann, E-39 ....................... Division [email protected]

John Cetrino, R-1 .......................... Division [email protected]

Peter Gailunas, TL-17 ................... Division 1Mike O’Reilly, L-29 ...................... Division 2

[email protected] Sarro, E-24 ............................ Division 2

[email protected] Petitti, E-42 ............................ Division 2Peter Clifford, FAO ........ Fire Alarm Division

[email protected]

IAFF Vice President, 3rd DistrictMike Mullane, E-21 ........ [email protected]

Office Manager Patricia Damigella

Safety CommitteeJay Fleming, Div. 2; Neal Mullane, Jr., HQ Pool;Mike O’Reilly, L-29

Pension & Welfare OfficersEd Street, L-18 & Paul Keeley, D-12

Hospital Representatives, C-11John Flowers, John Harding,Steve Langone & James Wright

Boston Firemen’s Relief Fund – 2008-2009Mike Tierney, E-24 President;Ed Street, L-18 Treasurer;George Patukonis, Training Secretary;Bob Gallagher, E-21; Frank Jones, H-1;Steve MacDonald, PIO; Robert Martin, FIU;Tom McCann, E-39; Steve Mortlock, L-26;Dick Ryan, EMS; Bill Tobin, E-22

Death & Welfare Committee – 2008-2009Ed Kelly, TL-17, Chairman;Neal Mullane, Jr. HQ Pool, Treasurer;Mike Walsh, R-2, Secretary;Paul Keeley, D-12; Ed Street, L-18;John Harding, C-11; Nick Di Marino, TL-10;Gerry Lavey, E-2; Tom Marsters, E-2;Steve Mortlock, L-26; Mike O’Connor, E-24;Barry Stafford, FAO; Tom McCann, E-39;Chris Stevens, E-21; Sean Kelly, E-18;Jim Kenney, L-4; Bob Kilduff, Jr., R-2;Tom Matthews, HQ; Tom McCann, E-39;Neal Mullane, Jr., E-37; Ed Paris, TL-17;John Sarro, L-16; Ed Street, L-18

Lest We ForgetBoston Firefighters

Local 718Vice President

Lt. Robert T. KilduffLadder No. 23

1947-2008

The President assigns Executive Board members to specific Divisions and Districts of thedepartment to better serve the membership. Members should go to the E-Board Repre-

sentative who is responsible for their District first to handle issues.Of course, this does not preclude the members from dealing directly with the leadership of

the Local.The Districts are broken down as follows:Districts 1 & 6 ........ Tom McCann, E-39District 3 ..................... John Cetrino, R-1Districts 4 & 11.... Peter Gailunas, TL-17Districts 5 & 7 ............. John Sarro, E-24

Executive Board Representation

Districts 8 & 12...... Mike O’Reilly, L-29Districts 9 & 10............ Bob Petitti, E-42Fire Alarm, Headquarters &

Fire Prevention .... Peter Clifford, FAO

Cover photo by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7

Winter 2008-2009 BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 3

Ed Kelly, TL-17President’s Report

The last 18 months have been some of the most challengingtimes our Local has had to endure. Our personal and professional character has been tested and challenged by the me-

dia, the administration, and the public.No generation exemplified the courage, commitment and

sacrifice more than our members who served during “The WarYears” of the late 60s to early 80s, fighting thousands of firesand burying many friends to protect this city. It was during thistime, when members showed great personal sacrifice and asteadfast dedication to the City of Boston that set the level ofrespect that Boston firefighters have received from the publicfor so many years.

But for the first time ever, who we are as people - our integrity,our personal flaws, even our devotion to duty have been publiclyquestioned. We have been so viciously attacked by the media onso many levels that even our friends and family are slow to defendus. To truly explain to someone in detail our side of the hundredsof newspaper, magazine, and television reports and editorials wewould have to write a book.

Most of us would say it started after the Tao’ho fire, but in fact,the Mayor’s spin doctors began slandering us weeks before thefire by leaking to the Globe (through unnamed city officials ofcourse) inaccurate information to justify their declaring an im-passe at the bargaining table and filing at the Joint Labor Manage-ment Committee. Menino lied as he always has. The facts are weagreed to all of the city’s management reforms and were in dis-pute over safer working conditions such as wellness / fitness andpublic safety issues such as a dedicated haz-mat company. As usualit was the firefighter’s union fighting with the city to improveour ability to protect the public.

Then, on August 29th, 2007, tragedy struck when two of ourbrothers were killed in the line of duty operating at Box 4-281. It’shard to imagine how the tremendous sacrifice of giving one’s lifeto protect the city could be used to destroy the reputation of thosevery people and humiliate their grieving families. But that is ex-actly what the Mayor’s administration did when two high ranking(unnamed of course) city officials violated Massachusetts’ law byleaking to the media autopsy reports alleging substance use. Thisspawned public outcry and a demand for “random” drug testingwhich had not been proposed by the city in this round of negotia-tions. We know from eyewitness accounts that both Warren andPaul performed admirably that night; in fact Paul continued tooperate the line even after the building blew up, probably savingfellow firefighter’s lives. Warren and Paul may or may not havebeen perfect men – but they were perfect firemen! They provedtheir willingness to sacrifice for others, which is the cornerstoneof over 300 years of firefighting in this city. The Mayor shouldhave allowed them to rest in peace and handled his contractissues at the bargaining table where they belong!

The next major attack was allegations of pension fraud, againcompliments of Mayor Menino through his head of Administra-tion and Finance, Lisa Signori, and their collusion with the Globe.The fact is the current system for acting out of grade by senioritywas proposed by the city in 2001 to save money on time off thedepartment had to grant every time they switched a member onthe promotional list to cover an officer vacancy on another group.It’s cheaper to just hop up the senior man than to change a guy’sgroup. As a result our older/senior members were forced into act-

The People of Boston Know That When They Need Us –We’ll Be There and the Mayor Knows It!

ing positions on a regular basis creating an increasein acting out of grade retirements. The city could always just pro-mote enough guys to cover the vacancies, but hop up stupid ischeaper. What was the Mayor/Globe management solution?Change the retirement laws to strip our benefits.

Along the way some of our sheep strayed from the flock. Someof these transgressions deserved the media attention they got, andsome didn’t. What the media failed to mention: there are nearly1,600 men and women that make up the Boston Fire Departmentand to taint the entire department by association is journalism atits worst.

One person has stood out for his consistency these past 18months. Rod Fraser has consistently insulted us at every turn:

• He insulted Paul Cahill posthumously by stating publiclythat Paul’s not wearing his mask suggests he was impaired.Obviously, Rod never ran out of air in a fire building. If hehad, he would know the first thing you do when your air isgone is remove your mask. Bad air is better than no air! I’dlike to know what they taught guys to do when they ran outof air at the fire academy he allegedly ran in the Navy. Hemust have taught his guys not to run out of air.

• When the Board of Inquiry (whose purpose is to investigatean incident and ensure our internal procedures and protocolsdid not contribute to any deaths or injuries) issued their re-port in February, they concluded that interpreting autopsiesand toxicology reports was outside their area of expertise.My guess is none of the 10 BOI members had ever seen anautopsy report. Fraser refused to accept the report and vowedto reconvene the BOI. We endured 10+ days of negative me-dia blaming the Union and calling the report a whitewash. InJuly, he stated on WBZ radio that he never reconvened theBOI, denied being notified to pick up the autopsies from theD.A., and agreed with the BOI that analyzing those reportsis outside their area of expertise. Thanks Rod. Maybe heshould have read it before throwing it out. The BOI Reportwas done professionally, and I commend Deputy ChiefDunbar and our members for their excellent work under tre-mendous pressure.

• This past August, Fraser said that people who retired out ofgrade - mostly those same guys who survived the war years- should go to jail. It is the city’s management policy thatallows/ forces senior members out of grade. Some of theseguys have since died from cancer or heart conditions con-tracted from this job! Are they faking Rod? I wonder if Rodfiled for disability from the Navy?

People who buy into the Menino / Signori / Fraser / Sam Tyler/Boston Globe spin do not realize what we know; that the institu-tional flaws in our department do not stem from the firefighterswho protect this city every day, but in the Mayor’s 16 year tenuremismanaging the department.

At the end of the day we are who we’ve always been, regularpeople trying to make a better life for our families. We take anoath to protect society at all costs, and are proud to do it. Thepeople we protect have a right to expect the best from us, and wehave always given them our best - sometimes, our lives.

The people of Boston know that when they need us, we’ll bethere. And no matter how hard Mayor Menino tries to change it,the people of Boston still respect us for that!


The Fire Commissioner is pleased to commend the following named members of Districts 9 and 11,Engine Company 10, Rescue Company 1 and Tower Ladder Company 3.On the late afternoon of May 28, 2008 the Boston Fire Department Technical Rescue Team responded to

a MBTA Light Rail accident in the City of Newton. Under the direction of District Fire Chief Sullivan theteam immediately went to work for over six hours to extricate victims and to recover the operator trapped inthe wreckage. The members performed very difficult work in a tight and confining area of the damaged,unstable vehicle.

The Boston Fire Department Technical Rescue Team worked seamlessly with the Newton Fire Depart-ment and never lost sight that this incident was under their jurisdiction. Members of the Newton Fire De-partment expressed sincere gratitude for the help provided by our team. The members professionalism,cooperation, and dedication to duty at this tragic incident is a credit to the department. Therefore theCommissioner’s Unit Citation is hereby awarded to the following members:

District 9:District Fire Chief Frederick SullivanFire Fighter William Benevelli, Rescue Co. 2, detailed to District 9

Rescue Company 1:Fire Lieutenant Santiago LasaFire Fighter Leo HughesFire Fighter James McAdamsFire Fighter Louis Preigo

Tower Ladder Company 3:Fire Lieutenant Lawrence MacDougallFire Fighter Stephen MarksFire Fighter David GallowayFire Fighter Robert Bullock

Commissioner’s Unit Citation Presented toRespondents of the MBTA Light Rail Accidenton 5/28/08 in Newton

Engine Company 10:Fire Captain Colin Kelly, Headquarters, detailed to Engine Co. 10Fire Fighter Ballin WrightFire Fighter Stephen FlynnFire Fighter James Nee

District 11:District Fire Chief Joseph McMahonFire Fighter George Paige, Incident Command Technician, District 11

Fire Investigation Unit:Fire Fighter William Noonan

BY ORDER OF FIRE COMMISSIONERRODERICK J. FRASER JR.


Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7

Photos byBill Noonan, FIU-K7


President-elect Barack Obama, center, meets with PFFM President Robert McCarthyand BFD Local 718 President Ed Kelly.

On May 30, 2008, 7 alarms were struck forthe James Hook & Son Lobster Companydowntown. Over 60,000 pounds of lobsterbaked during the fire at this Bostonlandmark. Damage was estimated at$5,000.000.00

– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7


Vice President’s ReportRich Paris, R-2

Iwould like to take this time to introduce myself. My name isRich Paris and I have been a firefighter since 1986. I havealso been involved in the Union since 1992.First, we have just lost a very important and valuable person

on our Board – Vice President Bob “BK” Kilduff – after a longand tough battle with cancer. We all miss him and we wish hiswife, Joanne, his son BK, Jr. and his daughter, Shannon, all thebest.

I stepped into BK’s role as V.P., and now have been votedinto this position. Thank you for your support. I know I have bigshoes to fill, but I will try my best – considering BK was the onewho talked me into running for E-Board over 10 years ago whenwe worked together up at Grove Hall!!

I would like to thank Eddie Kelly & the E-Board for thisopportunity to serve and to help out with the contract and alsowith the other issues coming our way.

I should not have to remind you that we have had some toughtimes lately, unless you haven’t been reading the papers. I thinkthe most important task we have ahead of us is to win back therespect of firefighters from the public.

Yes, the papers have been beating us up, and not all of it istrue, but some of it, sadly, is true. We have had some trouble,

which makes me want to reach out to our mem-bers.

It all starts with “US.” We are all one, we are all one Union,thank God.

So, what I am trying to say is – be smart – don’t give thepublic or the papers more reason to beat up on us – we need tobe careful in everything we do – it is a different job today than itwas yesterday – some people are jealous of us and will or woulddo anything to make us look bad – let’s not give them the oppor-tunity.

Our children are proud that their fathers or mothers arefirefighters – let’s not disappoint them – we don’t want them tobe embarrassed that their parents are firefighters – but at the ratewe are going, that could happen someday.

We, as individuals, are a representation of the entire BostonFire Department. The day we were sworn in we took an oath tobe upstanding firefighters. We do have a great firefighter forcein this city, one that does the job they are asked to do every timethat bell rings.

So let’s keep up the good work and show the public that weare still the best Fire Department in the Nation.

Thank you, God bless and be safe.

Let Me Please Introduce Myself

There appears to be an obvious trend in cod-ing incidents with the code 600 “Good

intent call.” Your company performs a spe-cific duty when searching for smoke at fireincidents or arriving at EMS incidents.

The response in itself is a duty performed

Incident Codingby your company and should be credited withan applicable code.

During the month of August, there were6116 incidents and 701 of those were coded“600.” These incidents included struck boxes,motor vehicle accidents, alarm activations,

outside fires and vehicle fires.Officers, including acting officers, must

take the time to properly code the incident sothe increasing workload each year will bringappropriate funding for both manning andequipment.

Aide to Division 2 Willie Clark and Local 718 Vice President Rich Paris withMr. Michael Perry. Willie and Rich, while off duty working out at the

Dedham Health Club, came to the aid of Mr. Perry who suffered a heartattack at the club by performing CPR and other lifesaving measures. They

were honored by the Dedham Board of Selectmen at their town hall.– Photo by Steve MacDonald

Ed Loder, Rescue 1 and Jack McKenna, Rescue 2– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7


2006Fire Fighter James D. Ford,Engine 55 ........................................... January 7Fire Fighter Kenneth D. O’Neil,Engine 30 ........................................... January 8Fire Fighter Vincent R. Scalli,Engine 50 ......................................... January 14Fire Fighter William H. Tripp,Fire Brigade ..................................... January 17Fire Fighter Frederick V. Ahern,Training & Maintenance Division ... January 29Fire Fighter Henry J. Hudson,Engine 49 ......................................... January 31Fire Fighter John F. White,Ladder 21 ......................................... February 2District Chief James L. Collins,District 5 ........................................... February 2Lieutenant Gaspare R. Panciocco,Ladder 28 ......................................... February 3Fire Fighter Robert Anderson,Engine 34 ......................................... February 7Fire Fighter Charles R. Dowd,Training & Maintenance Div. ........ February 10Fire Fighter William J. Desmond,Rescue 1 ............................................... March 1Fire Fighter Francis X. Mayo,Ladder 19 ............................................. March 3Fire Fighter James B. Lavey,Ladder 19 ............................................. March 3District Chief James J. Freeman,District 7 ............................................... March 4Fire Fighter James C. Willard,Engine 8 ............................................... March 8Captain Thomas Berninger,Engine 17 ........................................... March 11Lieutenant Arthur W. Zahn,Engine 30 ........................................... March 16Working Foreman John H. Lawlor,Fire Alarm Division ........................... March 17Lieutenant Edwin C. Neimann,Ladder 10 ........................................... March 18Lieutenant Leo C. Reardon,Engine 20 ........................................... March 21Fire Fighter Robert C. Peterson,Fire Investigation Unit ....................... March 30Fire Fighter Donald F. Gillis,Engine 37 ............................................. April 12Fire Fighter Edward V. Lowney,Engine 1 ............................................... April 16District Chief Daniel P. Murphy,District 12 ............................................. April 24Fire Fighter Robert L. Higgins,Engine 24 ............................................. April 25Lieutenant William F. Dyer,Engine 51 ................................................ May 1Fire Fighter James T. George,Engine 47 ................................................ May 6Fire Fighter Earl H. Henson,Engine 32 .............................................. May 12Fire Fighter Walter W. Corwin,Engine 32 .............................................. May 25Fire Fighter Martin J. Rush III,Ladder 28 .............................................. June 24Fire Fighter Anthony J. Gawlinski,Engine 25 ............................................... July 24Captain Daniel M. Watson,Engine 7 .............................................. August 4Fire Fighter William J. Moore,Engine 32 ............................................ August 6

Obituaries 2006 - 2008Fire Fighter William D. Manning,Fire Investigation Unit ........................ August 7John T. Dorsey,Employee Assistance Program ......... August 16Fire Fighter John F. Robinson,Engine 34 .......................................... August 18Fire Fighter Murdock J. MacRae,Engine 49 .......................................... August 28Lieutenant Francis J. Chapin,Engine 39 ...................................... September 4Fire Fighter James M. Rizzo,Engine 31 ...................................... September 7District Chief Thomas F. Bohan,District 10 .................................... September 10Captain John F. Finneran,Engine 2 ...................................... September 17Lieutenant Richard G. Berninger,Fire Prevention ............................ September 19Fire Fighter John T. Cashman,Engine 7 ...................................... September 26Fire Fighter Francis E. Callahan,Ladder 24 ........................................... October 7Fire Fighter Thomas M. O’Toole,Engine 48 ......................................... October 19Fire Fighter Joseph H. Murphy,Marine Unit ...................................... October 21Fire Fighter James E. Donovan, Jr.,Ladder 14 ....................................... November 5Fire Fighter Leo W. Natale, Jr.,Engine 41 ..................................... November 14Fire Fighter Anthony C. Ciampa,Ladder 19 ..................................... November 17Fire Fighter James J. Loftus,Ladder 10 ..................................... November 22Captain Edward E. McGrady,Engine 5 ....................................... November 25Fire Fighter Michael P. Downing,Ladder 17 ................................... November 28Lieutenant Rosario M. DeMarco,Ladder 31 ..................................... December 11Fire Fighter Anthony J. Rock,Engine 49 ..................................... December 16Lieutenant Gerard E. McGowan,Fire Prevention ............................. December 17District Chief Richard C. Foley,District 11 ..................................... December 26Lieutenant Francis A. Arnao,Engine 1 ....................................... December 29Captain Charles F. Freiberg,Ladder 23 ..................................... December 30Fire Fighter Joseph F. Coleman,Engine 48 ..................................... December 31

2007Fire Fighter Lawrence F. Buckley, Jr.,Ladder 8 ............................................. January 2Fire Fighter Robert M. Ceurvels,Engine 10 ........................................... January 7Deputy Chief John E. Clougherty,Division 1 ......................................... January 15Lieutenant Peter W. Judge,Engine 37 ......................................... January 15Fire Fighter George E. McGowan,Fire Prevention Div. ......................... January 23Fire Fighter Robert C. DeYoung,Marine Unit ...................................... February 8District Chief Thomas J. Hobin,District 7 ......................................... February 10Fire Fighter Daniel W. Grant,Personnel Division ......................... February 16

Lieutenant Warren J. Cudmore,Ladder 8 ......................................... February 24Fire Fighter Mario J. Dell’Orfano,Marine Unit .......................................... March 1Fire Fighter Stephen A. Jerzylo,Engine 48 ............................................. March 2Captain John F. Kenney,Engine 24 ............................................ March 9Fire Fighter Anthony A. Abban,Engine 2 ............................................. March 12Fire Fighter William C. Millerick,Engine 32 ........................................... March 19Fire Fighter William J. Hegarty,Rescue 2 ............................................. March 21Fire Fighter John J. Trementozzi,Ladder 8 ................................................. April 2Lieutenant Angelo J. Koutrouba,Ladder 9 ................................................. April 5Lieutenant George B. Hickey,Engine 36 ............................................. April 19Lieutenant Frank R. Altimar,Fire Prevention Division ...................... April 19Fire Fighter George E. Leighton,Ladder 24 ............................................. April 25Captain William F. Nasta,Ladder 24 ................................................ May 1Fire Fighter William J. Cahill,Fire Prevention Division ......................... May 3Fire Fighter Anthony Cataldo,Marine Unit ............................................. May 5Fire Fighter Phinazee Brown. Jr.,Ladder 25 ............................................... May 6District Chief Emmet J. Kiley,District 12 ................................................ May 8Fire Fighter Neil F. Sullivan,Aide to District 7 .................................. May 22Fire Fighter Arthur J. Leary,Engine 17 .............................................. May 24★★★ Fire Fighter David A. Middleton,Engine 51 .............................................. May 29Fire Fighter Dennis J. Walsh,Motor Squad .......................................... June 13Fire Fighter Francis Duffy,Engine 11 .............................................. June 21Fire Fighter Thomas P. O’Connell, Jr.,Ladder 18 .............................................. June 21Fire Fighter Jimmy L. Young,Engine 22 .............................................. June 26Fire Fighter Eugene J. O’Gara,Engine 30 ................................................. July 3Captain Robert A. Foley,Ladder 18 ................................................. July 4Lieutenant Biaggi J. Germano,Engine 42 ................................................. July 7Fire Fighter Stephen K. Morrison,Marine Unit ............................................ July 16District Chief Steven H. Ostis,District 10 ............................................... July 18Fire Fighter Harvey Campbell,Ladder 8 ................................................. July 24Lieutenant Anthony F.Laurano,Engine 56 ............................................... July 26Captain Morley J. Carter,Engine 42 ............................................... July 30Fire Fighter John J. Walsh,Engine 3 .............................................. August 8Fire Fighter Richard T. Davis,Engine 20 .......................................... August 21★★★ Fire Fighter Warren J. Payne,Ladder 25 ......................................... August 29


★★★ Fire Fighter Paul J. Cahill,Engine 30 ................................................. August 29District Chief James A. Donovan, Jr.,District 9 .............................................. September 17Fire Fighter John F. Gallagher, Jr.,Aide to the Commissioner ...................... October 10Fire Fighter Charles L. Mann, Jr.,Ladder 11 ................................................ October 20Paul R. Vogel,Fire Alarm Construction ......................... October 27Senior Fire Alarm Operator Robert L. Sullivan,Fire Alarm ............................................... October 31Fire Fighter Charles E. Bagley,Lighting Plant 2 .................................... November 3Fire Fighter John F. Casey,Maintenance Division ........................... November 5Captain Kevin J. O’Toole,Fire Investigation Unit ........................ November 27Lieutenant Arthur J. Howard,Engine 3 .............................................. November 30Captain Joseph L. Corbett,Fire Investigation Unit ........................... December 3Fire Fighter Edward C. Radzik,Fire Investigation Unit ........................... December 3Fire Fighter Harry S. Huether,Engine 48 ............................................. December 15Fire Fighter Alfred M. McLaughlin,High Pressure ....................................... December 18Fire Fighter Lawrence F. Ford,Engine 41 ............................................. December 20

2008Fire Fighter William J. McCarthy, Jr.,Rescue 2 ................................................... January 4★★★ Lieutenant Vincent P. Russell,Rescue 1 ................................................... January 9Lieutenant Paul V. Doherty,Engine 30 ................................................. January 12Fire Fighter Winthrop C. Hayward,Engine 30 ................................................. January 16Fire Fighter Richard L. Besse,Rescue 2 ................................................. January 22Fire Fighter James D. Regan,Engine 16 ................................................. January 28Fire Fighter Robert P. Richardson,Fire Brigade ............................................. January 28Fire Fighter Richard A. Powers,Haz Mat Unit H-3 .................................... February 4Fire Fighter Donald G. Newell,Ladder 21 ................................................. February 4Fire Fighter Robert A. Steadman,Aide to the Commissioner ....................... February 6Fire Fighter William G. Sullivan,Ladder 9 ................................................. February 10Fire Fighter Joseph Colella,Engine 8 ................................................. February 13Lieutenant Joseph A. Desmond,Ladder 28 ............................................... February 14Fire Fighter Francis A. Kane,Ladder 3 ................................................. February 16Fire Fighter Arthur S. Dolber,Engine 3 ................................................. February 23Lieutenant William F. Griffin,Fire Prevention ....................................... February 24Fire Fighter Carmen A. Campanaro,Engine 36 ............................................... February 29Fire Fighter John T. Trezzi,Ladder 30 ..................................................... March 3Captain Richard J. Doyle, Jr.,Engine 49 ................................................... March 11

Captain John E. McLane,Engine 34 ................................................... March 11Lieutenant Robert T. Kilduff,Ladder 23 ................................................. March 13District Chief Frank A. Sullivan,District 3 ..................................................... March 15Lieutenant Lester W. Monarch, Jr.,Engine 18 ................................................... March 15Fire Fighter James F. Reardon,Engine 30 ................................................... March 27Fire Fighter James A. Meehan,Ladder 25 ................................................... March 27Working Foreman Edward J. Downs,Fire Alarm Division ....................................... April 2Fire Fighter John R. Luongo,Rescue 1 ......................................................... April 4Fire Fighter Edward Homer,Maintenance Division .................................. April 12Lieutenant Thomas L. Cushing,Ladder 9 ....................................................... April 17Fire Fighter John J. Walsh,Engine 3 ....................................................... April 19Captain Hilbert L. Smith,Engine 28 ..................................................... April 21Fire Fighter William J. Mantville,Engine 45 ........................................................ May 9Fire Fighter William G. Cudmore,Fire Prevention .............................................. May 14Lieutenant Edward B. Rist,Engine 56 ...................................................... May 23Fire Fighter Albert J. Ferretti,Engine 51 ...................................................... May 24Fire Fighter George McClosky,Ladder 7 .......................................................... June 9District Chief Paul V. McCarthy,District 6 ........................................................ June 19Fire Fighter Francis B. Cooley,Engine 42 ...................................................... June 23Fire Fighter Cornelius M. Keane,Engine 50 ..................................................... June 30

Fire Fighter Francis P. Byrne,Rescue 2 ........................................................... July 2District Chief John J. Hurley, Jr.,Fire Investigation Unit ................................... July 14Lieutenant Bernard J. McTernan, Jr.,Fire Investigation Unit ................................... July 18Superintendent Dennis B. Flynn,Maintenance Division ............................ August 16Fire Fighter Daniel L. McDougall,Maintenance Division ............................... August 21Lieutenant Philip P. O’Donnell,Ladder 26 .................................................. August 22Fire Fighter Walter J. Conley,Marine Unit ........................................... September 7District Chief Norman F. Davidson, Jr.,District 5 ................................................ September 7Fire Fighter John J. Bogue,Engine 25 ............................................ September 11Fire Fighter Edward F. Bachofner,Engine 30 ............................................ September 24Fire Fighter James T. Shea, Jr.,Ladder 19 ............................................ September 25Lieutenant George F. Lee,Public Information Office ................... September 25Fire Fighter Norman L. Mayer,Ladder 20 ............................................ September 28Fire Fighter Robert J. O’Donnell.Engine 53 ................................................ October 11Lieutenant Gerald R. LaFlamme,Ladder 9 .................................................. October 11District Chief Charles L. Ryan,District 7 .................................................. October 18District Chief Raymond P. Morse,District 8 .................................................. October 19Fire Fighter Paul P. Loring,Tower Ladder 17 .................................. October 21

Active Members – Bold ListingDied in the Line of Duty – ★★★

The annual ceremony for the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial took placeThursday, September 11, 2008.

– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7


CommissionerRoderick J. Fraser, Jr. ............................. September 5, 2006

Chief of DepartmentKevin P. MacCurtain, Division 2 ............ September 5, 2006

Chief of Operations, Field ServicesPaul R. Moore, Division 1 ....................... February 22, 2006

Chief of Operations, Support ServicesAndrew O’Halloran, Division 2 .............. February 27, 2006John F. Hasson, Division 1 ................... September 12, 2007

Deputy ChiefRichard J. DiBenedetto, District 11 ..... September 26, 2006Richard J. Mullen, District 9 ................... December 8, 2006Michael J. Doherty, District 1 .............. September 12, 2007Frank M. Kodzis, District 4 ............................ June 11, 2008James R. Evans, District 7 .................... September 26, 2008

District ChiefJohn Dempsey, Tower Ladder 2 ................ January 30, 2006Mark Buchanan, Ladder 25 .................. September 26, 2006George L. Wyman, Fire Prevention ...... September 26, 2006Ronald A. Harrington, Tower-Ladder 3 .. December 8, 2006William J. Meyer, Ladder 29 ................. December 20, 2006Gregory J. Mackin, Engine 22 ............... December 20, 2006Dennis L. Keeley, Ladder 18 ......................... April 30, 2007David W. Joseph, Engine 7 ................... September 12, 2007Scott J. Malone, Engine 55 ...................... December 7, 2007Joseph Neimann, Engine 41 ............................ April 8, 2008Steven P. Rushton, Engine 10 ........................ April 17, 2008Robert L. Dowling, Tower Ladder 10 ............ June 11, 2008Dennis Costin, Engine 33 ..................... September 26, 2008

CaptainPaul F. Burke, Engine 33 ........................... January 30, 2006Quentin D. Lee, Engine 33 ............................ April 19, 2006Richard C. Francis, Engine 51 ............. September 26, 2006Donald J. Price, Ladder 18 ................... September 26, 2006Neal A. Mullane, Jr., Engine 37 .............. December 8, 2006Francis X. Walsh, Fire Prevention ......... December 20, 2006Carlos Nieves, Engine 5 ........................ December 20, 2006David E. Springer, Engine 48 ........................ April 10, 2007Richard Connelly, Rescue 1 .......................... April 10, 2007Garry P. Pilato, Engine 22 ............................. April 10, 2007James M. Doyle, Tower Ladder 10 ............... April 30, 2007David J.Cushing, Fire Prevention .................. April 30, 2007Jonathan Rodriguez, Ladder 24 ............ September 12, 2007John P. Dolan, Headquarters ...................... October 23, 2007Joseph G. McNulty, Engine 17 ................ December 7, 2007Scott D. Wahlen, Engine 22 ..................... February 25, 2008Michael P. Dillon, Engine 52 .................. February 25, 2008David C. Harrison, Engine 37 ......................... April 8, 2008Steven E. Shaffer, Ladder 26 ........................... April 8, 2008Christopher M. Burke, Tower Ladder 17 ........ April 8, 2008Colin P. Kelly, Engine 7 ................................. April 17, 2008Jose A. Estrella, Ladder 28 ............................. June 11, 2008Steven P. McGillis, Engine 55 .............. September 26, 2008

Promotions / Appointments 2006 - 2008LieutenantPaulo M. DaSilva, Engine 28 .................... January 30, 2006Thomas E. Brassil, Tower Ladder 3 .......... January 30, 2006Martin J. Fernandes, Tower-Ladder 3 ........... April 19, 2006Glenn D. McGillivray, Engine 42 ................. April 19, 2006Sean F. Kelly, Engine 18 ................................ April 19, 2006Gerard T. Sheehan, Engine 52 ....................... April 19, 2006Thomas D. Farrell, Ladder 19 ....................... April 19, 2006Peter Gailunas, Engine 7 ............................... April 19, 2006James F. Haines, Training Division ............... April 19, 2006James P. Greene, Ladder 29 .................. September 26, 2006Edward E. Munroe, Ladder 29 ............. September 26, 2006Steven J. Mitchell, Ladder 26 ............... September 26, 2006Christopher Corwin, Ladder 1 ............... December 20, 2006Mark A. Corwin, Engine 16 .................. December 20, 2006Brian J. Tully, Engine 14 ........................... February 2, 2007Sean B. Linnell, Ladder 4 ........................ February 16, 2007Jamie Walsh, Engine 52 ................................. April 10, 2007William McGuirk, Ladder 16 ........................ April 10, 2007Michael B. Carey, Engine 24 ......................... April 10, 2007Michael J. Palizzolo, Engine 53 .................... April 30, 2007Edward C. Donovan, Ladder 4 ...................... April 30, 2007Patrick Lynch, Engine 52 .............................. April 30, 2007William L. Miller, Ladder 4 ........................... June 13, 2007Thomas J. Scanlan, Engine 42 ................... August 15, 2007Adrian S. Jordan, Ladder 2 ......................... August 15, 2007Calvin Smalls, Ladder 28 ..................... September 12, 2007William P. Pappas, Ladder 1 ................. September 12, 2007Keith Rowe, Ladder 2 ................................ October 23, 2007John R. Berthiaume, Ladder 14 ................. October 23, 2007James E. Sullivan, Engine 55 ................ November 19, 2007Michael P. Boyle, Engine 21 ................... December 7, 2007John R. Soares, Ladder 26 ........................... January 9, 2008Vincent E. Dimino, Ladder 7 ..................... February 6, 2008Robert J. Counihan, Ladder 7 .................. February 25, 2008Marcus A. Dennis, Ladder 28 .................. February 25, 2008Robert E. Hayes, Ladder 25 .................... February 25, 2008Glen A. Campbell, Ladder 26 .......................... April 8, 2008Stephen Avellino, Engine 50 ........................... April 8, 2008Jeremiah A. McCarthy, Ladder 1 .................... April 8, 2008Daniel R. Dowling, Engine 14 ........................ April 8, 2008Santos J. Ortiz, Engine 16 ............................... April 8, 2008Daniel P. McCarthy, Engine 49 ....................... April 8, 2008Sean M. O’Brien, Ladder 7 ........................... April 17, 2008Edward A. Godinho, Engine 53 ...................... June 11, 2008Daniel A. Fossa, Detail Office .................... August 12, 2008Edmundo James, Ladder 11 ....................... August 12, 2008Francis D. Foley, Engine 52 ................. September 26, 2008Sean E. Coppney, Engine 21 ................ September 26, 2008David J. Connell, Engine 30 ................. September 26, 2008Michael J. Whelan, Ladder 16 .............. September 26, 2008Gerald J. Powers, Ladder 4 ................... September 26, 2008Thomas J. Murray, FIU .............................. October 31, 2008Christopher P. Sloane, Engine 21 .............. October 31, 2008

Superintendent of Fire AlarmJohn P. Henderson .......................................... April 19, 2006

Assistant Superintendent of Fire AlarmJohn G. Smiddy .............................................. April 19, 2006

Principal Fire Alarm OperatorEdward F. Byrne ............................................ April 19, 2006

Senior Fire Alarm OperatorDavid C. Marshall .......................................... April 19, 2006Eileen Clougherty ...................................... February 2, 2007


Recording Secretary’s ReportRalph Dowling, FAO

Send Us Your Email Address for Timely Local 718 Information

Getting information to our membership is important, get-ting accurate information in a timely fashion is critical inthe Union Business. Rumors can spread around the job

about contract or other pressing issues that could damage talksand strategies that are developing. Over the past several yearsI’ve been fortunate enough to have the support of the leadershipand membership in developing a member’s data base that can beused to address our members with up-to-date news and informa-tion. Recently we have had members seriously injured, and didnot have correct next of kin information. The information thatyou provide to this office is critical in the event of an emergency;also it provides us with information to send you IAFF maga-zines, Local 718 Digest and other information. By using e-mailwe can send messages instantly to hundreds of members in amatter of minutes. In cases when we endorse a specific politicalcandidate, we can send mailings (U.S. Mail) to target specifictowns and cities that out members reside in. This is a great tooland it continues to grow.

With the support of President Ed Kelly, we are re-designingBoston Firefighters Local 718 web site. This new web site willbe more interactive for our members. By that I mean as membersof Local 718 you can go to a member’s only page. From there,you will have access, with a password and membership number,to member’s benefits, retired members information, photo gal-lery, E-board representatives and much more. If you do not pres-ently receive the Local 718 E-Newsletter and you wish to be

added to our list, send your name and e-mail address [email protected], or visit www.bostonfirelocal718.org andregister online.

The West Roxbury YMCA is offering free immediate family(wife/husband, son, and daughter) membership to the YMCA forfamilies of Local 718 members who are deployed in the military.This membership is also good for all other YMCA facilities in theMetro-Boston area. If you are interested in this free program foryour family, or if you know of a member who is deployed, contacthis or her family and share this information. Contact KaraO’Connor, Public Relations Director, West Roxbury YMCA, 15Bellevue Street, West Roxbury, MA 02232, 617-323-3200 x128,to learn more.

If you have or wish to post information on an event regardingour members (retirement party, ski trip, or Local 718 sportingevents) e-mail me and I’ll send out the information to our mem-bers. Also keep in mind the membership voted this year tochange the hour of our monthly Union meeting. The monthlyUnion meeting will now begin at 7 p.m.

This has been a difficult year for all of us; we have been at-tacked by City Hall and the media. We also have stood tall to-gether when called upon by Local 718. The leadership of this Lo-cal will continue to fight for your rights, and the respect that youall deserve for the service you provide protecting the citizens ofBoston.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Rescue 1.

On September 26, 2008 promotions were held atHeadquarters. Local 718 President Ed Kelly

joined with Commissioner Fraser and Chief ofDepartment MacCurtain as the following were

promoted to Deputy Chief James Evans, D-7;District Chief Dennis Costin, E-33; Captain Steve

McGillis, E-55; Lieutenants Frank Foley, E-52;Sean Coppney, E-21; David Connell, E-30;

Michael Whelan, L-16 and Gerry Powers, L-4.

On October 31, 2008 promotions were held atMemorial Hall. Pictured from left, CommissionerRoderick Fraser, new Lieutenant Tom Murray, FIU,new Lieutenant Chris Sloane, E-21 and Chief ofDepartment KevinMacCurtain.


2006Fire Fighter Paul J. Zepf, Rescue Company 2Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 1/19/06Captain John W. Ahern, Engine Company 2Appointed 11/11/70 ................ Retired 1/20/06Fire Fighter Robert J. Noto,Engine Company 2Appointed 8/25/71 .................. Retired 1/20/06Fire Fighter Walter W. Joy,Fire Prevention DivisionAppointed 8/31/77 .................. Retired 1/20/06Deputy Fire Chief Martin Fisher, Division 1Appointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 1/31/06District Fire Chief Robert F. Snell, District 7Appointed 6/3/70 .................... Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter / Public Information OfficerDavid F. Walsh, HeadquartersAppointed 6/3/70 .................... Retired 1/31/06District Fire Chief Richard K. Lynch,District 4Appointed 8/12/70 .................. Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter Robert J. Campbell, Marine UnitAppointed 5/12/71 .................. Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter Edward W. Neff,Rehabilitation Unit W-25Appointed 7/7/71 .................... Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter John F. O’Neil, Fire BrigadeAppointed 10/20/71 ................ Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter John F. LaPorte, Engine 8Appointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 1/31/06Lieutenant Robert Goglia,Special Operations CommandAppointed 7/17/74 .................. Retired 1/31/06

Fire Fighter Mark G. Callahan, FireInvestigation UnitAppointed 7/23/75 ................... Retired 1/31 06Fire Fighter Samuel P. Powell, Engine 16Appointed 1/18/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06Fire Alarm Operator William Chisholm,Fire Alarm DivisionAppointed 3/22/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter Paul D. Conlon, Engine 14Appointed 5/17/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter Harold A. Bodden,Personnel DivisionAppointed 12/6/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06Lieutenant William D. Ceurvels, Ladder 18Appointed 10/19/83 ................ Retired 1/31/06Fire Fighter Dennis J. Hogan, Ladder 19Appointed 10/19/83 ................ Retired 1/31/06Electrical Repairman John T. Dorsey,Fire Alarm DivisionAppointed 7/17/96 .................. Retired 1/31/06Fire Commissioner/Chief of DepartmentPaul A. ChristianAppointed 1/17/68 .................. Retired 2/15/06Firefighter James F. Mahoney,Fire Prevention DivisionAppointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 2/28/06Firefighter Robert W. Beals, Engine 7Appointed 7/7/71 .................... Retired 2/28/06District Chief Edmund G. Maiorana, District 5Appointed 10/20/65 ................ Retired 3/31/06Lieutenant Robert J. Sullivan, Marine UnitAppointed 1/17/68 .................. Retired 3/31/06

Retirements 2006 - 2008Lieutenant Donald C. Kernan,Fire Prevention DivisionAppointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 3/31/06Firefighter Daniel M. Polvere, Ladder 23Appointed 8/12/70 .................. Retired 3/31/06Superintendent of Fire AlarmPatrick M. O’RourkeAppointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 3/31/06Lieutenant Joseph Arsenault, Ladder 14Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 3/31/06Firefighter Phillip Marsh,Special Operations CommandAppointed 6/23/76 .................. Retired 4/30/06Lieutenant Gerard F. Shea, Rescue 1Appointed 5/1/68 .................... Retired 5/31/06Captain John J. Evans, Engine 8Appointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 5/31/06Firefighter Donald R. Starrow, Engine 24Appointed 12/30/70 ................ Retired 5/31/06District Chief Dennis J. Roache, District 6Appointed 4/5/72 .................... Retired 5/31/06District Chief Lawrence S. DiSanto,Training DivisionAppointed 6/23/76 .................. Retired 5/31/06Firefighter Edward J. Coleman, Ladder 25Appointed 9/27/78 .................. Retired 5/31/06Firefighter Thomas K. Sylvester, Ladder 4Appointed 2/6/80 .................... Retired 5/31/06Firefighter Karen L. Miller, Engine 48Appointed 8/14/85 .................. Retired 5/31/06Firefighter James A. O’Sullivan, Ladder 14Appointed 8/20/86 .................. Retired 5/31/06Firefighter Leo F. Burns, Engine 5Appointed 10/28/98 ................ Retired 5/31/06

Local 718 and the PFFM joined Casa Myrna, a Boston domestic violence organization, to take a stand against domesticviolence. Advertising in English, Spanish and Portuguese ran on the MBTA and bus lines across the state.

– Photo by Liz Curtis


Captain Michael F. Sheehan, Training DivisionAppointed 5/17/72 .................. Retired 6/30/06Firefighter Jonathan J. Jackson, Engine 51Appointed 6/23/76 .................. Retired 6/30/06Firefighter Aaron Roberson, Ladder 14Appointed 10/31/84 ................ Retired 6/30/06District Chief Nicholas P. Keenan, District 10Appointed 8/24/66 .................. Retired 7/31/06Firefighter Kenneth Rodgers, Engine 17Appointed 1/18/67 .................. Retired 7/31/06Firefighter Robert Morgan, Engine 20Appointed 5/18/77 .................. Retired 7/31/06Firefighter Jesse B. Jones, Engine 30Appointed 8/31/77 .................. Retired 7/31/06Firefighter Richard Hall, Ladder 11Appointed 8/14/85 .................. Retired 7/31/06Firefighter Joseph Teixeira, Engine 14Appointed 10/30/85 ................ Retired 7/31/06Lieutenant John M. Doherty, L.E.P.CAppointed 10/20/65 ................ Retired 9/30/06Captain William J. Buckley, Ladder 16Appointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 9/30/06Firefighter Thomas Matthews,Headquarters DivisionAppointed 1/17/68 ................ Retired 11/30/06Firefighter William M. Burns, Tower-Ladder3Appointed 10/22/69 .............. Retired 11/30/06Firefighter William J. Leavey, Engine 20Appointed 7/26/72 ................ Retired 11/30/06Captain Hubert J. McGrath, Engine 3Appointed 10/30/74 .............. Retired 11/30/06Lieutenant John Lovett, Ladder 28Appointed 3/19/75 ................ Retired 11/30/06Firefighter Mark A. Trifiro, Tower-Ladder 2Appointed 1/27/88 ................ Retired 11/30/06

2007Senior Fire Alarm Operator Francis G. Fell, FireAlarm DivisionAppointed 5/23/74 .................. Retired 1/19/07Lieutenant Leo D. Stapleton, Jr.,Office of the CommissionerAppointed 12/6/78 .................. Retired 1/31/07Fire Fighter Michael T. Pass, Engine 55Appointed 10/19/83 ................ Retired 1/31/07Fire Fighter Kevin M. Walsh, Ladder 14Appointed 4/2/86 .................... Retired 1/31/07Captain Joseph M. Gilmore, Engine 42Appointed 5/12/71 .................. Retired 2/28/07District Chief Paul V. Farren, District 4Appointed 5/17/72 .................. Retired 2/28/07Lieutenant Kevin J. Clifford, Engine 42Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 2/28/07Fire Fighter Patrick A. Munroe, Engine 21Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 2/28/07Captain Robert F. Buckley, Ladder 6Appointed 1/18/78 .................. Retired 2/28/07Fire Fighter Thomas J. Hale, Fire BrigadeAppointed 2/6/80 .................... Retired 2/28/07Fire Fighter John J. Flaherty,Fire Investigation UnitAppointed 12/24/69 ................ Retired 3/31/07Fire Fighter Arthur W. Connors, Marine UnitAppointed 7/7/71 .................... Retired 3/31/07Fire Fighter Joseph Maher,Fire Prevention DivisionAppointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 3/31/07Fire Fighter Edward Mahoney, Engine 51Appointed 12/18/74 ................ Retired 3/31/07

Fire Fighter Kevin Mitchell, Ladder 17Appointed 3/19/75 .................. Retired 4/30/07Lieutenant Ronald J. Savicke, Engine 2Appointed 5/17/78 .................. Retired 4/30/07Fire Fighter John J. McGrath,Training DivisionAppointed 7/31/96 .................. Retired 4/30/07Lieutenant William C. Duffy, Ladder 29Appointed 8/22/73 .................. Retired 5/31/07Captain James M. Morrison, Rescue 1Appointed 7/23/75 .................. Retired 5/31/07Fire Fighter David Humphrey, Tower Ladder 3Appointed 2/20/91 .................. Retired 5/31/07Fire Fighter Jordan Wise, Engine 49Appointed 1/18/78 .................. Retired 6/30/07Fire Fighter Sylvester Jones, Engine 49Appointed 9/27/78 .................. Retired 7/31/07Fire Fighter Paul Walsh,Fire Investigation UnitAppointed 7/23/75 .................. Retired 8/31/07Lieutenant James R. Wall, Tower Ladder 3Appointed 2/19/69 .................. Retired 9/30/07Fire Fighter James B. Donahue,Personnel DivisionAppointed 8/25/71 .................. Retired 9/30/07Fire Fighter William R. MacDonald,Personnel DivisionAppointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 9/30/07Fire Fighter David Glover, Ladder 23Appointed 1/22/86 .................. Retired 9/30/07Fire Fighter John P. Kelly, Tower Ladder 10Appointed 1/6/97 .................... Retired 9/30/07Captain Daniel J. Chisholm, Engine 21Appointed 3/20/74 ................ Retired 10/31/07Lieutenant Michael J. Doherty, Ladder 2Appointed 2/20/91 ................ Retired 10/31/07District Chief John J. Ellard, District 6Appointed 11/11/70 ....................... Retired 11/30/07

2008Fire Fighter Franklin A. Lawrence, Fire BrigadeAppointed 1/18/67 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter David C. Johnson, Engine 50Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Lieutenant John J. Simpson, Personnel DivisionAppointed 12/24/69 ......................... Retired 1/31/08Lieutenant Richard J. Walsh, Rescue 2Appointed 7/7/71 ............................. Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Leonard F. Hansford, Ladder 21Appointed 5/17/72 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Lieutenant Martin J. O’Brien, Jr., Engine 50Appointed 9/27/72 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Edward W. Lynch, Jr., Engine 32Appointed 9/27/72 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Lieutenant Gerard J. Powers, Engine 18Appointed 8/22/73 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Thomas Dunphy, Fire BrigadeAppointed 3/20/74 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Gerard W. Lavey, Engine 2Appointed 3/20/74 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Robert P. Williams, Engine 30Appointed 12/18/74 ......................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Richard N. McSweeney, Ladder 6Appointed 12/6/78 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Albert J. Lynch, Ladder 4Appointed 2/6/80 ............................. Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Michael J. O’Callaghan, Engine 10Appointed 7/21/94 ........................... Retired 1/31/08

Fire Fighter William J. Puglia, Engine 2Appointed 7/31/96 ........................... Retired 1/31/08Fire Fighter Francis J. Byron,Fire Investigation UnitAppointed 7/7/71 ............................. Retired 2/29/08Fire Fighter Patrick J. MacAuley, W-25Appointed 2/19/69 ........................... Retired 3/31/08Lieutenant Kevin G. Flaherty, Engine 18Appointed 3/19/75 ........................... Retired 3/31/08Fire Fighter James R. Oliver, Ladder 19Appointed 3/19/75 ........................... Retired 3/31/08Fire Fighter Michael F. King, Jr.,Fire Investigation UnitAppointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 4/30/08Fire Fighter Robert Finn, Fire BrigadeAppointed 10/31/84 ......................... Retired 5/31/08Fire Fighter William P. McGourty, Engine 17Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 6/30/08Lieutenant Neal A. Mullane, Engine 21Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 7/31/08Lieutenant Donald P. Doenges, Engine 50Appointed 8/12/70 ........................... Retired 7/31/08Lieutenant Neil F. Doherty, Rescue 1Appointed 8/25/71 ........................... Retired 7/31/08District Chief James Famolare, Personnel DivisionAppointed 2/19/69 ........................... Retired 8/11/08Lieutenant Norman Hayes, Engine 28Appointed 3/20/74 ........................... Retired 8/31/08Deputy Chief Peter P. Pearson, Division 2Appointed 8/14/85 ............................. Retired 9/5/08Lieutenant Coleman F. Connolly, Engine 18Appointed 5/12/93 ........................... Retired 9/10/08Deputy Chief William F. Hitchcock,Chief of Operations - SupportAppointed 5/17/72 ........................... Retired 9/30/08Fire Fighter David S. Lang, Fire BrigadeAppointed 5/17/72 ........................... Retired 9/30/08

Fire Fighter Pyeth V. Jones, Engine 55Appointed 5/18/77 ........................... Retired 9/30/08Fire Fighter Wendell Sumpter, Engine 22Appointed 9/27/78 ........................... Retired 9/30/08Fire Fighter Charles H. Reddick, Ladder 9Appointed 2/22/89 ........................... Retired 9/30/08Fire Fighter William R. Gottwald, Engine 3Appointed 2/20/91 ........................... Retired 9/30/08Fire Fighter David Krasner, Ladder 9Appointed 7/31/96 ........................... Retired 9/30/08Fire Fighter / Assistant SuperintendentJames H. Pyke, Maintenance DivisionAppointed 12/24/69 ....................... Retired 10/31/08Deputy Chief Paul R. Moore,Chief of Operations – FieldAppointed 5/17/72 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Lieutenant James F. Borden, Fire AcademyAppointed 9/27/72 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Fire Fighter Robert P. McNiff, Fire BrigadeAppointed 9/27/72 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Fire Fighter / Motor Apparatus EngineerRonald F. Petrucci, Maintenance DivisionAppointed 7/23/75 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Fire Fighter Alexander Lindsay, Engine 32Appointed 5/17/78 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Fire Fighter Ricardo Anderson, Tower Ladder 10Appointed 8/14/85 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Fire Fighter Edward F. Murphy, Ladder 1Appointed 7/31/96 ......................... Retired 10/31/08Fire Fighter Robert K. Callahan, Ladder 28Appointed 10/29/97 ....................... Retired 10/31/08


On August 3, 2008,3 alarms were struckfor 19 Mellen Streetin Dorchester.

– Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7

On July 27, 2008,3 alarms were struck for22 Trull Street in Dorchester.



Larry Curran, HQLegislative Report

Deval’s Doings

For the third time in the last two years, Governor DevalPatrick has demonstrated his disdain for firefighters byvetoing funds from the budget that were intended to be used

for training our members. The thing is these funds come fromthe money insurance companies collect from premiums on fireinsurance.

The legislature saw fit to override Deval’s veto of these fundsthe last two sessions of the legislature. But the Governor struckagain when he exercised his 9C authority and slashed these fundsfor a third time. We are all well aware of the fiscal challengesfaced by government. Such a move allows the Governor to cre-ate the illusion he is saving taxpayer money but in fact he is en-riching the insurance companies.

HEALTH INSURANCEMake no mistake about it, the Patrick administration is clearly

moving in the direction of removing health care as a topic ofcollective bargaining. This effort was disguised in his municipalrelief package which allows municipal governments to scrap theirexisting health care plans in favor of joining the state Group In-surance Commission. In order to do this, the employees mustapprove the change. 70% of the employees unions must approvethe change and the retirees have one representative who repre-sents 10% of the vote.

It appears that the powers that be are dissatisfied with the num-ber of communities going into the GIC. There is a lot of talkabout removing the employees right to vote on whether or notthey make the change. Some want to allow the employer to uni-laterally decide whether or not they go into the GIC. What is alsotroubling is that Speaker DiMasi has indicated that he favors re-moval of the employees right to vote from the process.

The fact that we have made concessions over the years on nu-merous other issues in order to maintain a certain level of healthcare is forgotten.

PENSIONSThe so called “municipal relief plan” is another way to try and

force local retirement boards to turn their assets over to the statepension system thereby taking the employees contributions andputting these funds in the hands of the state.

The legislation, Chapter 68 of the Acts of 2007, created a bo-gus standard by which local retirement boards have their returnon investments compared to the returns of the state pension fund,known as the PRIT Fund, which is managed by the PRIM Board.If the local retirement boards returns over the previous 10 years istwo percentage points or more, below the return of the PRIM Boardand the system is less than 65% funded, the board will be declaredunderperforming and its assets will be transferred to the PRITFund.

The problem is that the PRIT Fund and the local retirementboards operate under a different set of rules. The PRIT Fund hasno restrictions on it and it can invest in whatever asset classes itwishes. The local boards have restrictions as to what asset classesthey can invest in and as to what percentage of the assets they areallowed to put into an asset class. This puts the local boards at aconsiderable disadvantage. To use this standard is dishonest tosay the least but it serves the purpose of the administration, namelyto get control on the members money by using an invalid measur-ing stick which is virtually impossible to meet.

The administration is allegedly labor friendly but they appearto be following through with a Romney/Healey agenda.

The Disability Retirement Processby Larry Curran, HQ

There is a tremendous amount of misinfor-mation in the media regarding disability

pensions and the process one goes throughto be awarded a disability pension. The fol-lowing is a brief outline of the process eachmember must go through to be awarded apension.

When a member is injured in the line ofduty the member must document his or herinjury and submit the paperwork to the firedepartment. The paperwork goes to fire head-quarters and to the office of the medical ex-aminer. If the member who is injured is re-lieved from duty he or she must report to thefire department doctor and sign a release ofall his medical records for the reported injury.The fire department doctor monitors the firefighters condition and treatment. At the con-clusion of the member’s treatment, the depart-ment doctor clears the member to return to duty.

If a member reaches an end result in histreatment and is still unable to return to work,he will then file his papers for a disability pen-sion.

The member will file an application foraccidental disability retirement benefits withthe retirement board. A physician must file astatement with the board stating that the mem-ber is:

1) Totally disabled, this means that themember is unable to perform the dutiesof a fire fighter

2) The injury must be considered perma-nent. However, the law allows for mem-bers who retire to be re-examined andreturned to duty

3) The injury must be job related and in acase where the injury is related to theheart, lungs or cancer, there is a legalpresumption that the injury is job re-lated.

The member is required to sign a releaseof all of his or her medical records, treatmentsetc. The employer also has paperwork thatmust be filed with information such as whatthe duties of a firefighter are.

When the application process is completed,the Boston Retirement Board makes a request tothe Public Employee Retirement Administration

Commission (PERAC) asking that a medicalpanel be set up to examine the applicant.

PERAC is the regulatory agency that over-sees all retirement boards in the state. PERACwill set up a medical panel of threeunassociated physicians, the majority ofwhom are experts in the field of medicine re-lated to the member’s injury.

The medical panel receives all the medi-cal records prior to the exam and will usuallyreview the records prior to the actual exam.Once the exam is complete the medical panelhas 60 days to get its report back to PERAC.PERAC reviews the determination of themedical panel and in turn forwards the panel’sreport to the retirement board.

To be eligible to retire, two of the threephysicians must answer yes to the three ques-tions certifying that the applicant is totallydisabled, the injury is permanent and the in-jury is job related.

If the medical panel approves the applica-tion, the Boston Retirement Board will sched-ule an appointment for a hearing officer re-

(continued on page 16)


view. The hearing office is an outside attor-ney who will review all the documents andexamine the applicant by asking questionsrelative to his or her history with the depart-ment and the injuries sustained. This step isto insure that there are no inconsistencies rela-tive to the claim. The hearing officer submitsa report to the retirement board with a recom-mended decision.

At this point, the application, medical panelreport and hearing officer report are sent to

the members of the retirement board for theirreview prior to the board meeting.

At the next retirement board meeting, thesecases are discussed in executive session and avote is taken on whether or not to approve thecase.

When the board votes to approve a case, itis then sent back to PERAC to be reviewedby them and they have 30 days to return thecase to the retirement board with an approvalor they can direct the board to consider issues

that they feel deserves more scrutiny.As you can see the process is extensive.

An applicant is seen by no less than four sepa-rate physicians and the findings are reviewedby PERAC, the hearing officer, the retirementboard and PERAC again.

Subsequent to retirement, members maybe re-examined and returned to duty. Retireesalso have restrictions on their outside earn-ings and if they exceed the limits their pen-sion may be terminated.

The Disability Retirement Process(continued from page 15)

This Open LetterFrom YourFirefighters wasDistributed to200,000 BostonResidents onElection Day,November 3, 2008

An Open Letter to the People of Boston

Over the past year, much has been written and said about all that is wrong with the Boston

Fire Department. We thought the best way to explain our situation was to contact you directly.

First, and foremost, we want to clearly state, “We do not condone or justify bad behavior!”

Due to the nature of our job, we trust each other with our lives. We are not only coworkers; we

are a family – a family of more than 1,500. As is the case in any close family, we stand by our

members until we get all the facts.

Over the past year, much attention has been focused on less than 1 percent of our family who

have been accused of wrongdoing.

We take pride in our job. We all feel hurt and betrayed when a member of our family does

something to tarnish the image and reputation we all strive to uphold.

That said, when a firefighter violates the law we want you to know that we are just as committed

as you are to making sure they are held accountable.

We also want you to know that we are in our third year without a contract!

Coincidently, the flaws of the department began to surface in the media less than a month

after contract negotiations stalled! This is a tactic familiar to the Menino administration —

exploit the actions of a few bad apples to tarnish our reputation with you, the public.

The flaws of the Boston Fire Department are management flaws, and do not lie with the hard

working people who put their lives on the line everyday.

One final point: You have our solemn promise that these attacks on the Boston Firefighter

Family will not interfere with what we do. When you call for help, we will respond.

Always!

Any questions please go to www.bostonfirelocal718.org

Boston Firefighters Local 718

OrdinaryPeopleDoingExtraordinaryThings!

OrdinaryPeopleDoingExtraordinaryThings!


Health and Safety Committee ReportNeal Mullane, Jr., HQ Pool

Modern Materials and Old School Firefighters

We have all heard the veterans on the job say that fires today aredifferent than they were in years past. Technology and equip-ment has changed. Building construction has changed; light

weight truss roofs fail faster than the old rafters. Energy efficient doorsand windows hold more heat inside, keep fires from being detectedlonger, and decrease the time to flashover. These elements and manyothers increase the danger to firefighters, but we educate, train, and weadjust to keep ourselves safer. A significant change that is not as tan-gible is the chemical makeup of modern materials. What is this stuff,why does it burn hotter and faster, and why are firefighters contractingcancer at an alarming rate?

First of all don’t fear the Level 3. We have learned to slow down ashazardous material releases and very few firefighters get sick or injuredmitigating these incidents. The most dangerous Haz/Mat’s we will re-spond to are building and vehicle fires. These are the fires that expose usto some of the most dangerous and deadly toxins, poisons, and carcino-gens. The days of untreated wood, uncoated metals, natural fiber, andglass are numbered. All these old school materials are being replacedby modern synthetic materials. Plastics are one of the most abundantcompounds we deal with every day. The term “plastic” does not sounddangerous, but plastic does not occur naturally in nature, it is designedin chemical labs and derived from oil, natural gas, and coal. From themoment a plastic is made it starts to break down. You can smell a showercurtain because it is off gassing and decomposing to the chemicals itwas made from, it gets hard and brittle and we trash it. Plastics breakdown faster when heated. Ever notice the smell inside your car on a hotday?

Look around your house, office or car. It is easier to point out what isnot synthetic. Your plumbing, wire insulation, and trash barrel are mostlikely PVC, polyvinyl chloride. Your mattress, car seat, and couch con-tain urethane. Styrofoam is a trademark for polystyrene thermal insula-tion. Carpeting is a nice way to say nylon, which is a family of com-pounds that contain polyamides, and non stick cook ware sounds betterthan saying hyrdofluorinated coated pans. All these materials releasemore toxins when heated; fire does a good job of that. These nasty com-pounds are turned into gases and broken down into a toxic, poisonous,carcinogenic soup we “take a feed on” at every type of fire. This ischemistry, and chemistry does not lie.

Being that most synthetics are derived from oil we draw two conclu-sions: 1. Most are highly flammable and burn hotter than natural prod-ucts; and 2. “Big oil” supplies “Big plastic”, both industries have morefunds than the fire service, and they don’t advertise how dangerous theirproduct is. The health factor requires some research and understanding.

We are all familiar with CO. All combustion gives off carbon mon-oxide. It is the number one poison in the world. Modern materials gen-erate more hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and CO per pound than naturalmaterials. Hydrogen cyanide and CO are classified as chemical asphyxi-ates; they surround your red blood cells and prevent your body fromusing oxygen. On March 23-24, 2006, in Providence, R.I., firefightersresponded to three separate fires. 27 members were tested for HCNexposure, eight had symptoms of HCN poisoning, and one membertook a heart attack. The post incident analysis by the Providence FireDept. and Local 799 make 15 recommendations. The first is training onthe danger of HCN and air quality monitoring inside the fire building.The second is strict respiratory protection compliance.

Other compounds we inhale and absorb on a regular basis:

Modern Material Chemical Released Health HazardTires Styrene, Lead Suspected Carcinogen

Benzene, Butadiene,Chromium CarcinogenHydrogen Sulfide, Mercury Poison

Asphalt Shingles Asbestos CarcinogenBitumen Suspected Carcinogen

Fiberglass Styrene Suspected CarcinogenDioxin Carcinogen

Paint/Varnish Methylene Chloride CarcinogenPerchloroethane Carcinogen

Pressure TreatedWood Arsenic Carcinogen

Pentachlorophenol Suspected CarcinogenPlywood/Particle Board Arsenic/Formaldehyde CarcinogenUpholstery Hydrochloric Acid Corrosive

Dioxins CarcinogenPlastics (Other) Benzene Carcinogen

Chromium Oxide CarcinogenStyrene Suspected CarcinogenCarbon Tetrachloride Carcinogen

Electronics Mercury Poison/Neurotoxin

When wearing full personal protective equipment and S.B.C.A. westill absorb chemicals through our skin, more so when we perspire. Whennot wearing S.C.B.A. these nasty chemicals have a direct route into ourbodies, heavy metals in particular may stay forever. Debora Wallace,PhD, author of In the Mouth of the Dragon-Toxic Fires and the Age ofPlastics, says: “Generally, the gases emitted during the shouldering/de-composition stage of a fire are more toxic than those emitted during theactual burning. Thus, in many fires, the shouldering/decomposition stageof a fire is the real killer.” This book is highly recommended reading forfirefighters; it’s a real eye opener. Wallace also explains that fully devel-oped fire burns many toxins completely, but as the room temperaturecools, synthetic chemicals re-enter the temperature range where they re-lease the most toxic by-products. This is right about the time we dumpour masks for better vision, communications, or overhauling. At this timewe are breathing heavier and perspire. The toxic gases may be colorlessand odorless and some toxins attach to the soot we breathe in deep. Therespiratory system is the primary route of chemical exposure.

Our membership is averaging a cancer diagnosis every month and acardiac event every two weeks. Google™ the University of CincinnatiFirefighter Cancer Study, which shows we have an increased risk to thefollowing cancers; skin, prostate, rectum, stomach, colon, brain, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and malignant melanoma. Malefirefighters have the distinction of having a 100% greater chance thanJohn Q. Public of developing testicular cancer.

Why aren’t these facts in the Globe? So, what do we do? We have tolose the tough guy attitude and keep your mask on for the entirety of thefire, especially overhaul. Toxic chemicals do not care how tough you are,they have already killed some of the toughest “Jakes” we had. We have todecontaminate our gear on scene, we have to decontaminate ourselves,monitor air quality, rehabilitate, rotate companies as air time dictates,and document everything. In a nutshell we have to keep this crap out ofour bodies at any and all costs. The fire department of 20 years ago is notthe one we have today. Presumptive laws cover some disorders, but notall of them. Will we be covered and your family protected in twentyyears? Why take the chance. At your next fire, before you lose the facepiece, imagine you are overhauling a chemical plant with asbestos tiles.Remember, that toxic soup floating around, the black mucus in your nose,the burning in your throat, and the smell coming off your gear all startedin those chemical plants.


Boston Fire DepartmentChief John A. Martin Fire Academy • Moon IslandRecruit Training Program Graduates • November 5, 2007 – March 11, 2008

GROUP 1 ➤Thomas J. Chadwell, Engine 56Larentz O. Greene II, Engine 30Matthew S. Callahan, Ladder 4Michael R. Kennedy, Ladder 2Benjamin T. Upton, Ladder 11Christopher J. Abban, Engine 3Matthew R. Nelson, Engine 21Matthew M. Crane, Ladder 7John R .Dever, Engine 14

Dennis R. Harrison, Ladder 21Richard J. Savicke, Engine 18Todd L. Bailes, Engine 51Nicholas J. Gregorio, Engine 4Ryan P. Murphy, Braintree Fire DepartmentRyan J. Pugsley, Braintree Fire Department

GROUP 2Michael J. Materia, Ladder 15James M. Walsh, Tower Ladder 17Janice M. Kervin, Engine 41James S. Philpott, Engine 30Christopher J. O’Connor, Engine 16Christopher M. Dunn, Ladder 24Juan G. Gonzales, Ladder 21Bryan J. Griffin, Engine 7

Michael S. Locust, Engine 56Michael T. O’Sullivan, Engine 52Dana M. Robinson, Ladder 28John R. Adams, Engine 37Edward Contilli, Engine 33Michael Fiola, Chelsea Fire Department

GROUP 3 ➤Ryan J. Oag, Ladder 14Elson R. Monterio, Engine 29Michael P. Browne, Tower Ladder 3Gregory D. Williams, Engine 28John L. Howard, Engine 8Paul Bradley, Engine 33Joseph Lynch, Ladder 6Daniel J. Magoon, Engine 21

➤

Roberto Sepulveda, Engine 29Daniel J. Kane, Ladder 4Dwaine E. Daye, Ladder 14Thomas G. Connelly, Engine 49Dennis P. Devlin, Ladder 1Jared W. Blaney, Dedham Fire Department

GROUP 4Clyde A. Forde, Engine 50Brendan D. McCarthy, Engine 24John Katikakis, Engine 14Jacob Yee, Engine 4Timothy D. Gerety, Ladder 2Daniel J. McLaughlin, Ladder 15James P .Riley, Tower Ladder 10Steven E. Kasper, Ladder 7

Joel T. Cruz, Engine 49Matthew P. Murphy, Engine 10Christopher Briggs, Engine 41Michael C. Ronayne, Tower Ladder 10David P. Blandino, Engine 39Michael J. Woods, Braintree Fire Department

➤


Fire Academy CreedLet no one’s ghost come back to say, “My training let me down.”

Recruit Training Program Graduates • June 11, 2008 – October 9, 2008

GROUP 1Michael Browder, Jr., Ladder 6Matthew J. Kaiser, Engine 28Colin J. Dockins, Engine 51Marc R. Hayhurst, Ladder 6William W. Hayhurst III, Tower Ladder 17Tyrance J. Corbett, Engine 56

Manuel A. Andrade, Ladder 2Leo J. Greeley, Engine 5Michael J. O’Donovan, Engine 4Rory P. Thornton, Engine 52Sean M. Kelly, Engine 37Nicholas Foss, Dedham Fire Department

GROUP 3Francis S. Jankowski, Jr., Engine 7Ryan J. Lore, Ladder 24Christopher R. Minor, Engine 17Mark A. O’Callaghan, Ladder 18Alector E. Tavares, Tower Ladder 10Raymond Travers, Ladder 29

Justin T. Yanosick, Ladder 26Sean M. Barrett, Tower Ladder 3Ryan M. Lynn, Engine 50Scott M. Perry, Engine 53Antonio Cicolini, Malden Fire Department

GROUP 2 ➤Michael R. Goggin, Engine 10Andrew C. Burns, Ladder 11Michael Jeglinski, Ladder 21Matthew R. Kenneally, Engine 14William E. Schulze, Ladder 21Patrick M. Slattery, Engine 18Michael L. Blake, Jr., Ladder 11

Daniel Considine, Jr., Engine 8James P. Duffy, Ladder 16Timothy J. Dunn, Chelsea Fire DepartmentMichael G. Angelo, Malden Fire Department

➤

GROUP 4 ➤Leonard A. Whitted, Engine 42Jennifer S. Crosby, Engine 48Stephen M. Sacilotto, Engine 9Michael R. Sweeney, Engine 16Michael J. McCarthy, Engine 21Deanna M. McDevitt, Engine 3Michael P. Tuohy, Engine 24

David K. Stock, Ladder 18David T. McCann, Ladder 4Richard K. Boggs, Engine 39Carter Glass, Chelsea Fire DepartmentWilliam Condon, Malden Fire Department

➤


Anatomy of a Truss FailurebyDeputy ChiefJoseph Fleming

with theassistance of:

Acting Deputy ChiefRobert Reynolds(Division 2)

District ChiefPaul Keeley(District 12)

District ChiefMike Feely(H-1)

Dept. PhotographerWilliam Noonan(Photos)

John Perry, MIS(Photos)

Mark O’Neil(Photos)

Mike Flynn(Photos)

Local 718(Photos)

858 Hyde Park Avenue was a 3-story wood frame residential building with a 2-storyassembly area attached. The assembly area had a parallel cord truss roof. In the rear

1/3 of the assembly area were several rooms. In this area, the walls also supported theroof structure. The entrance at the rear of the assembly area was at the 2nd floor of theassembly portion. (The ground sloped upward from the front.)

The fire started at approximately 1900 when a mattress ignited on an upper floor ofthe residential portion. While attempting to remove the mattress it flared up in thestairwell and got out of control. Fortunately, the first companies arrived approximately2 minutes after dispatch and called for additional help. The District Chief, who was atE-28 arrived approximately 5 minutes after dispatch, while the Deputy arrived approxi-mately 4 minutes after the working Fire was struck. The speedy response of Chiefs,along with their aides, greatly aided the command and control situation at the incident.This facilitated the recognition and mitigation of the collapse hazard.

Area Photograph of 858 Hyde Park Avenue

Rear Door WhereCompanies Entered“Church” Portion

SIDE D

“Church” Portion

SIDE A

SIDE B

SIDE C

Residential

Location Where FireVented Out Window Into

Truss Roof Area HYDE PARK AVENUE


Timeline of Fire19:12:18 Receiving Calls.19:12:54 Dispatch.19:14:13 E-53 (Smoke Showing).19:15:26 L-16 (Working Fire).19:17:43 Car 12 on scene.19:19:00 Car 12 (2nd Alarm).Est. Time Fire starts to enter mansard overhang in front.19:19:40 Div. 2 on scene. Car 12 goes to rear.19:23:00 Div. 2 & Car 12 discuss hazard of truss roof.19:24:00 Div. 2 orders 2nd Alarm to respond to

Side C Parking Lot19:25:30 R-2 reports “heavy fire above ceiling

of auditorium area.”19:26:00 Div. 2 orders companies out of area.19:26:30 Div. 2 (3rd Alarm).19:27:00 H-1 on scene.19:30:00 H-1 makes sure auditorium area is evacuated.Est. Time Heavy black smoke fills auditorium

and “pulses” out of doors and roof.19:37:00 TL-10 reports that front half of roof

has collapsed.19:40:00 Div. 2 orders Fire Alarm to repeat order for

all companies to stay out of auditorium area.Defensive Operations started.

19:45:00 Entire auditorium roof collapse into building.Smoke starts to bank down at street level.(FFs outside have to wear SCBA.)

19:45-21:45 Defensive Operations continued.22:25:54 Car 12 returns.

(Time for trusses to fail from the time theystarted to be heavily involved with fire –

approximately 10-15 minutes.)


Lessons Reinforced by this Incident1. Notify the incident commander whenever truss construction is discovered.

2. Truss construction should be suspected whenever large interior areas exist without walls orcolumns.

3. When a truss is suspected to be above a ceiling, use a pike pole or other tools to open up the ceilingand check for truss construction – If there is a fire barrier in the void. use the same procedure onthe opposite side.

4. Communicate interior conditions to the incident commander as soon as possible and provideregular updates.

5. Use a defensive fire-fighting strategy once burning of truss members is identified (unless someone istrapped).

6. Expect imminent collapse, possibly 10 minutes or less, once lightweight truss roofs or floors areinvolved in a fire.

7. If possible, avoid cutting the truss chords when cutting holes for roof ventilation. Cuts can weakenthe roof.

8. Avoid roof areas loaded by air conditioning units, air handlers, and other heavy objects. If any ofthese objects is identified by companies operating at a fire, the information should be passed on toIncident Commander.

9. Be aware of alternative exit routes at all times when working above or below a truss. If you have toenter area below trusses stay near exterior wall.

10. Consider using roof ladders or working from aerial ladders or platforms instead of walking orstanding directly on the roof.

11. Be aware of the possibility of flashover or back draft when opening concealed spaces and take theappropriate safety precautions. When opening ceilings or other concealed spaces, have chargedhose line(s) ready.

12. When responding to a fire at a location remote from Command, e.g. the rear parking lot of thisbuilding, do not commit to action before reporting by radio to Command for orders/instructions.

13. Try to pre-plan all buildings with truss roofs and identify building on the CAD System.

14. The conditions in the auditorium changed within seconds from light smoke 3-4 feet from ceiling tothick black smoke all the way to the floor. (This has happened at previous firefighter fatalities inBoston.) This probably occurred when “flashover” occurred in trusses which created an oxygendeficient atmosphere, greatly increasing smoke production. Members should not allow light smokecondition to lull them into complacency – anticipate the worst, know how to get out if you have to.

REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING(These are from the Phoenix Fire Dept. SOP’S - but they are also good rules for all IC’s to follow,

even when a company officer or senior man is the 1C, before the arrival of a Chief.)

• We Will risk our lives a lot, in a calculated manner, to save SAVABLE lives.• We Will risk our lives a little, in a calculated manner, to save SAVABLE property.

• We Will Not risk our lives at all for lives or property that are already Lost.

Anatomyof aTrussFailure


What is a Truss?Atruss can be defined as structural members (such as boards, timbers, beams, or steel

bars) joined together in a rigid framework. They are most often in the shape of atriangle or series of triangles. Some trusses are rectangular. Trusses can be built ofwood, steel, wood and steel, or aluminum. Concrete trusses are not common but doexist, usually in very large structures. The truss framework is usually arranged in asingle plane so that loads applied at points of intersecting members will cause onlydirect stress (compression or tension). Three-dimensional trusses (space frames) arevery light in weight. The design of a truss, which separates compressive and tensilestresses, allows for a minimum of materials to be used, resulting in economic benefit.The unique characteristic of a truss is the inherent stability of the triangle.

All parts and connections of a truss are vital to the stability of the truss system. Thebottom chord of a truss is under tension. A tension member acts like a rope. If thebottom chord of the truss breaks, the truss system may fail by pulling apart. Conversely,the top chord of a truss is under compression. The top chord acts like a column. Failureof a compression member reduces the overall load-bearing capacity of the truss. Anoften overlooked hazard is found where interior trusses or wooden beams extendbeyond the exterior wall to provide a balcony or a stairway landing. Fire burning insidethe building can degrade the truss or beam, resulting in collapse of the cantileveredbalcony or stairway landing. Fire fighters standing on or under the collapsing exteriorlanding may be injured or killed.

Parallel chord trusses provide a flat roof or floor.The top and bottom chords are parallel.

They are commonly used in single-family dwellings and smalleroffice buildings. (Large unobstructed room spaces, such as at

Florian Hall are often indications of this truss.)

Scissor trusses are common in construction withcathedral ceilings. They are often found in churches.

Bowstring trusses get their name from the curvedshape of the top chord. Parapet walls may hide the

curved roofline on large commercial buildings,e.g. MDC Skating Rinks.

They are occasionally used in “fast food establishments.”

Triangular trusses are the most common trussesused in single-family dwellings.

Triangular trusses provide a peaked roof.



Photos After Collapse with Explanatory Notes

Lower Beam –Only Burned at the Top Gusset Plate on

Lower Beam

Dashed Linesrepresent whereburned Diagonal

Members would haveconnected to Upperand Lower Beams at

Gusset Plates

Upper Beam –Almost completely

burned away

Gusset Plate

The Truss Roof was nottied tinto the walls.

It appeared to rest onthe walls. This is called

“Unrestrained”Construction.

Because of this, thefront wall did not

“buckle.” If the roofhad been tied into thewalls, i.e. “restrained”the front wall probablywould have “buckled”

outward.

“Restrained” Constructionwill take a little longer to fail,

but when it does, it willprobably damage the wall.

“Unrestrained” will fail morequickly, but may not damage thewall. We should assume an earlycollapse of the truss, as well as

the potential collapse of the wall.


FRONT OF BUILDING

The Truss Roofcollapsed into the openarea due to the 40 x 50foot open area that hadno walls or columns.

The rear part of the structurehad lots of walls to supportroof, so trusses were notnecessary. This part did

not collapse.

This part of the roof stayed attachedto the wall somewhat. Probably becauseit was the furthest area from where thefire spread into the structure, as well as

the fact that it was more stronglyattached to the wall. This created a

void space underneath the roof.

This is the air conditioning unit, that waslocated right in the center of the roof.

The roof was not restrained inany way. It just rested on top ofthe wall (about 2 inches deep).That is why the roof collapse

did not buckle the walls.

This part of the roof eventuallycollapsed all the way to the

floor because the fire spreadinto the void space from theadjacent 2-story building.



This portion of the truss roof was far fromwhere the fire entered, as well as far from

the weight of the AC unit. As a consequence,it stayed attached to the wall.

This picture illustrates how the safest areaunder a collapse is near an exterior wall.

The void space provides the greatestchance of survival.

Engine 28 received a blessing from Chief Chaplain Father DanielMahoney as their new pumper was placed in service this summer.Also getting new pumps were Engines 10 and 39.

– Photos by Steve MacDonald

Ladder 16 received a new Emergency One rear mountladder this summer. It marks the return to E-One for

ladders and its user friendly jacking system.Also receiving ladders were Ladders 1 and 28.


From the collection ofBill Noonan, FIU-K7

Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF-PFFM55 Hallet StreetDorchester, MA 02124

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDBoston, MAPermit No. 57398

Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon.

On July 27, 2008, 3 alarms were struckfor 22 Trull Street in Dorchester.


A Boston Fire Rescue Diver is lowered into Boston Harborduring a training exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard.Boston Fire Rescue Divers have an agreement to providerescue divers on short notice to the Coast Guard.

Boston Fireﬁghters DigestBoston Fireﬁghters Digest - Winter 2008-2009.pdf · President’s...

Documents

Transcript of Boston Fireﬁghters DigestBoston Fireﬁghters Digest - Winter 2008-2009.pdf · President’s...