Winter 2008-2009
Boston Firefighters Digest
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts
Massachusetts AFL-CIO • Greater Boston Labor Council
Dedicated to the advancement of the moral, economic
and social standing of the members of the Boston Fire Department
in keeping with the dignity of their heroic calling.
Merry Christmas
and Best Wishes
for a Safe and Healthy 2009
Local 718 IAFF Officers 2008-2010
Ed Kelly, TL-17 .............................. President
edk@local718.org
Rich Paris, R-2 ....................... Vice-President
rparis@local718.org
Nick DiMarino, TL-10 ................... Treasurer
nick@local718.org
Ralph Dowling, FAO ...... Recording Secretary
ralph@local718.org
Larry Curran, HQ .................. Legislative Rep.
larry@local718.org
Steve MacDonald, PIO .......... Legislative Rep.
smac22@aol.com
Eric Vinitsky, Afghanistan Sergeant-at-Arms
Sean O’ Brien, Academy .. Sergeant-at-Arms
Kevin Minor, E-21 ............ Sergeant-at-Arms
Local 718 IAFF Executive Board
2008-2010
Tom McCann, E-39 ....................... Division 1
ltboots101@aol.com
John Cetrino, R-1 .......................... Division 1
john.cetrino@verizon.net
Peter Gailunas, TL-17 ................... Division 1
Mike O’Reilly, L-29 ...................... Division 2
michael.oreilly@comcast.net
John Sarro, E-24 ............................ Division 2
John_Sarro@yahoo.com
Bob Petitti, E-42 ............................ Division 2
Peter Clifford, FAO ........ Fire Alarm Division
PCliff@comcast.net
IAFF Vice President, 3rd District
Mike Mullane, E-21 ........ mmullane@iaff.org
Office Manager Patricia Damigella
Boston Firefighters Digest
Boston Firefighters Digest is the official
newsletter of Boston Firefighters Local
718. Opinions are those of the authors and
not necessarily those of Local 718, its
members or its affiliates. Corrections will
be made when notified in writing. For a
subscription, mail requests to the Editor.
Digests are distributed to all Boston
firehouses, Fire Alarm, Headquarters and
mailed to member retirees, survivors and
friends. The cost of the Boston Firefighters
Digest is borne by member dues.
Editor
Melissa Hurley,
MJH Communications
melissa@mjhcomm.com
Contributors
Steve MacDonald,
Fire Information Officer
Bill Noonan,
Fire Investigation Unit, K-7
Jay Fleming,
Division 2
Safety Committee
Jay Fleming, Div. 2; Neal Mullane, Jr., HQ Pool;
Mike O’Reilly, L-29
Pension & Welfare Officers
Ed Street, L-18 & Paul Keeley, D-12
Hospital Representatives, C-11
John Flowers, John Harding,
Steve Langone & James Wright
Boston Firemen’s Relief Fund – 2008-2009
Mike 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 – 2008-2009
Ed 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
Cover photo by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Boston Firefighters Local 718
55 Hallet Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
617-288-2100
617-288-2090 fax
Web site www.bostonfirelocal718.org
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Boston Firefighters Digest is designed by
Union Printworks, 1193 River Street,
Hyde Park, MA 02136, (617) 364-5050
Member of GCIU Local 600M
2 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Local 718 IAFF House Stewards
Artie Brown, E-2, L-19 ......................... Gr. 2
Steve Ryan, E-3, H-2 ............................. Gr. 3
Michael Lynch, E-4, L-24, D-3 ............. Gr. 4
Jon Hernandez, E-5, D-1 ......................... Gr. 3
Mark Sanders, E-7, TL-17, D-4 ............. Gr. 4
Rick Johnson, E-8, L-1 .......................... Gr. 2
____________, E-9, L-2 ....................... ____
Tom Curtain, E-10, TL-3, R-1, C-6 ....... Gr. 1
Bill Carey, E-14, L-4, H-1 ..................... Gr. 4
Mike Hegarty, E-16, D-8 ....................... Gr. 1
Brendan Sullivan, E-17, L-7, D-7 .......... Gr. 3
James Scanlon, E-18, L-6 ...................... Gr. 2
James Connolly, E-20 ............................ Gr. 2
Bobby Gallagher, E-21 .......................... Gr. 2
Dan Reardon, E-22, H-3, W-25 ............. Gr. 1
Billy O’Sullivan, E-24, L-23 ................. Gr. 1
Bill Murphy, E-28, TL-10, C-7 .............. Gr. 2
Gregory Magee, E-29, L-11, D-11 ........ Gr. 4
Dennis Conception, E-30, L-25 ............. Gr. 1
Hector Rodriguez, E-32, L-9 ................. Gr. 3
Glen Martin, E-33, L-15 ........................ Gr. 3
Barry Stafford, Fire Alarm Operations ... Gr. 4
Steve Mortlock, E-37, L-26, D-5 ........... Gr. 3
Tom McCann, E-39, L-18, D-6, C-11 .... Gr. 4
Charles Popp, E-41, L-14 ...................... Gr. 2
Bob Kilduff, Jr., E-42, R-2, D-9 ............ Gr. 1
Bob Finnegan, Fire Alarm Construction .... Gr. D
Ed Street, Headquarters ......................... Gr. D
Kevin McDonough, Fire Prevention ...... Gr. D
Joe Lohan, Fleet & Facilities ................. Gr. 2
Rich Johnson, Marine Unit .................... Gr. 4
Oscar Francisco, E-48, L-28 .................. Gr. 3
Cornell Horton, E-49 ............................. Gr. 2
Derek Melendy, E-50 ............................ Gr. 4
Roosevelt Robinson, E-51 ..................... Gr. 4
Brian Dacey, E-52, L-29 ........................ Gr. 2
Eric Deroches, E-53, L-16, D-12 ........... Gr. 3
Paul Minton, Fire Brigade ..................... Gr. B
Vincent Easterling, E-55, D-10 .............. Gr. 1
Joe Spinale, E-56, L-21 ......................... Gr. 3
Jody Connolly, Fire Investigation Unit ...... Gr. 2
Lest We Forget
Boston Firefighters
Local 718
Vice President
Lt. Robert T. Kilduff
Ladder No. 23
1947-2008
Executive Board Representation
T
he President assigns Executive Board members to specific Divisions and Districts of the
department to better serve the membership. Members should go to the E-Board Representative 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-39
Districts 8 & 12 ...... Mike O’Reilly, L-29
District 3 ..................... John Cetrino, R-1
Districts 9 & 10 ............ Bob Petitti, E-42
Districts 4 & 11 .... Peter Gailunas, TL-17
Fire Alarm, Headquarters &
Districts 5 & 7 ............. John Sarro, E-24
Fire Prevention .... Peter Clifford, FAO
Winter 2008-2009
President’s Report
Ed Kelly, TL-17
The People of Boston Know That When They Need Us –
We’ll Be There and the Mayor Knows It!
T
he last 18 months have been some of the most challenging
times our Local has had to endure. Our personal and profes
sional character has been tested and challenged by the media, the administration, and the public.
No generation exemplified the courage, commitment and
sacrifice more than our members who served during “The War
Years” of the late 60s to early 80s, fighting thousands of fires
and burying many friends to protect this city. It was during this
time, when members showed great personal sacrifice and a
steadfast dedication to the City of Boston that set the level of
respect that Boston firefighters have received from the public
for 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 publicly
questioned. We have been so viciously attacked by the media on
so many levels that even our friends and family are slow to defend
us. To truly explain to someone in detail our side of the hundreds
of newspaper, magazine, and television reports and editorials we
would 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 the
fire by leaking to the Globe (through unnamed city officials of
course) inaccurate information to justify their declaring an impasse at the bargaining table and filing at the Joint Labor Management Committee. Menino lied as he always has. The facts are we
agreed to all of the city’s management reforms and were in dispute over safer working conditions such as wellness / fitness and
public safety issues such as a dedicated haz-mat company. As usual
it was the firefighter’s union fighting with the city to improve
our ability to protect the public.
Then, on August 29th, 2007, tragedy struck when two of our
brothers were killed in the line of duty operating at Box 4-281. It’s
hard to imagine how the tremendous sacrifice of giving one’s life
to protect the city could be used to destroy the reputation of those
very people and humiliate their grieving families. But that is exactly what the Mayor’s administration did when two high ranking
(unnamed of course) city officials violated Massachusetts’ law by
leaking to the media autopsy reports alleging substance use. This
spawned public outcry and a demand for “random” drug testing
which had not been proposed by the city in this round of negotiations. We know from eyewitness accounts that both Warren and
Paul performed admirably that night; in fact Paul continued to
operate the line even after the building blew up, probably saving
fellow firefighter’s lives. Warren and Paul may or may not have
been perfect men – but they were perfect firemen! They proved
their willingness to sacrifice for others, which is the cornerstone
of over 300 years of firefighting in this city. The Mayor should
have allowed them to rest in peace and handled his contract
issues at the bargaining table where they belong!
The next major attack was allegations of pension fraud, again
compliments of Mayor Menino through his head of Administration and Finance, Lisa Signori, and their collusion with the Globe.
The fact is the current system for acting out of grade by seniority
was proposed by the city in 2001 to save money on time off the
department had to grant every time they switched a member on
the 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’s
group. As a result our older/senior members were forced into act-
Winter 2008-2009
ing positions on a regular basis creating an increase
in acting out of grade retirements. The city could always just promote enough guys to cover the vacancies, but hop up stupid is
cheaper. 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. Some
of these transgressions deserved the media attention they got, and
some didn’t. What the media failed to mention: there are nearly
1,600 men and women that make up the Boston Fire Department
and to taint the entire department by association is journalism at
its worst.
One person has stood out for his consistency these past 18
months. Rod Fraser has consistently insulted us at every turn:
• He insulted Paul Cahill posthumously by stating publicly
that Paul’s not wearing his mask suggests he was impaired.
Obviously, Rod never ran out of air in a fire building. If he
had, he would know the first thing you do when your air is
gone is remove your mask. Bad air is better than no air! I’d
like to know what they taught guys to do when they ran out
of air at the fire academy he allegedly ran in the Navy. He
must have taught his guys not to run out of air.
• When the Board of Inquiry (whose purpose is to investigate
an incident and ensure our internal procedures and protocols
did not contribute to any deaths or injuries) issued their report in February, they concluded that interpreting autopsies
and toxicology reports was outside their area of expertise.
My guess is none of the 10 BOI members had ever seen an
autopsy report. Fraser refused to accept the report and vowed
to reconvene the BOI. We endured 10+ days of negative media blaming the Union and calling the report a whitewash. In
July, he stated on WBZ radio that he never reconvened the
BOI, denied being notified to pick up the autopsies from the
D.A., and agreed with the BOI that analyzing those reports
is outside their area of expertise. Thanks Rod. Maybe he
should have read it before throwing it out. The BOI Report
was done professionally, and I commend Deputy Chief
Dunbar and our members for their excellent work under tremendous pressure.
• This past August, Fraser said that people who retired out of
grade - mostly those same guys who survived the war years
- should go to jail. It is the city’s management policy that
allows/ forces senior members out of grade. Some of these
guys have since died from cancer or heart conditions contracted from this job! Are they faking Rod? I wonder if Rod
filed 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 institutional flaws in our department do not stem from the firefighters
who protect this city every day, but in the Mayor’s 16 year tenure
mismanaging the department.
At the end of the day we are who we’ve always been, regular
people trying to make a better life for our families. We take an
oath to protect society at all costs, and are proud to do it. The
people we protect have a right to expect the best from us, and we
have always given them our best - sometimes, our lives.
The people of Boston know that when they need us, we’ll be
there. And no matter how hard Mayor Menino tries to change it,
the people of Boston still respect us for that!
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 3
Commissioner’s Unit Citation Presented to
Respondents of the MBTA Light Rail Accident
on 5/28/08 in Newton
T
he 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 the
team immediately went to work for over six hours to extricate victims and to recover the operator trapped in
the 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 Department and never lost sight that this incident was under their jurisdiction. Members of the Newton Fire Department 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 the
Commissioner’s Unit Citation is hereby awarded to the following members:
District 9:
District Fire Chief Frederick Sullivan
Fire Fighter William Benevelli,
Rescue Co. 2, detailed to District 9
Rescue Company 1:
Fire Lieutenant Santiago Lasa
Fire Fighter Leo Hughes
Fire Fighter James McAdams
Fire Fighter Louis Preigo
Tower Ladder Company 3:
Fire Lieutenant Lawrence MacDougall
Fire Fighter Stephen Marks
Fire Fighter David Galloway
Fire Fighter Robert Bullock
Engine Company 10:
Fire Captain Colin Kelly,
Headquarters, detailed to Engine Co. 10
Fire Fighter Ballin Wright
Fire Fighter Stephen Flynn
Fire Fighter James Nee
District 11:
District Fire Chief Joseph McMahon
Fire Fighter George Paige,
Incident Command Technician, District 11
Fire Investigation Unit:
Fire Fighter William Noonan
BY ORDER OF FIRE COMMISSIONER
RODERICK J. FRASER JR.
4 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
Photos by
Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Winter 2008-2009
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 5
President-elect Barack Obama, center, meets with PFFM President Robert McCarthy
and BFD Local 718 President Ed Kelly.
On May 30, 2008, 7 alarms were struck for
the James Hook & Son Lobster Company
downtown. Over 60,000 pounds of lobster
baked during the fire at this Boston
landmark. Damage was estimated at
$5,000.000.00
– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
6 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
Vice President’s Report
Rich Paris, R-2
Let Me Please Introduce Myself
I
would like to take this time to introduce myself. My name is
Rich Paris and I have been a firefighter since 1986. I have
also 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 long
and tough battle with cancer. We all miss him and we wish his
wife, Joanne, his son BK, Jr. and his daughter, Shannon, all the
best.
I stepped into BK’s role as V.P., and now have been voted
into this position. Thank you for your support. I know I have big
shoes to fill, but I will try my best – considering BK was the one
who talked me into running for E-Board over 10 years ago when
we worked together up at Grove Hall!!
I would like to thank Eddie Kelly & the E-Board for this
opportunity to serve and to help out with the contract and also
with the other issues coming our way.
I should not have to remind you that we have had some tough
times lately, unless you haven’t been reading the papers. I think
the most important task we have ahead of us is to win back the
respect of firefighters from the public.
Yes, the papers have been beating us up, and not all of it is
true, but some of it, sadly, is true. We have had some trouble,
which makes me want to reach out to our members.
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 the
public or the papers more reason to beat up on us – we need to
be careful in everything we do – it is a different job today than it
was yesterday – some people are jealous of us and will or would
do anything to make us look bad – let’s not give them the opportunity.
Our children are proud that their fathers or mothers are
firefighters – let’s not disappoint them – we don’t want them to
be embarrassed that their parents are firefighters – but at the rate
we are going, that could happen someday.
We, as individuals, are a representation of the entire Boston
Fire Department. The day we were sworn in we took an oath to
be upstanding firefighters. We do have a great firefighter force
in this city, one that does the job they are asked to do every time
that bell rings.
So let’s keep up the good work and show the public that we
are still the best Fire Department in the Nation.
Thank you, God bless and be safe.
Incident Coding
T
here appears to be an obvious trend in coding incidents with the code 600 “Good
intent call.” Your company performs a specific duty when searching for smoke at fire
incidents or arriving at EMS incidents.
The response in itself is a duty performed
by your company and should be credited with
an applicable code.
During the month of August, there were
6116 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 so
the increasing workload each year will bring
appropriate funding for both manning and
equipment.
Ed Loder, Rescue 1 and Jack McKenna, Rescue 2
– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
Aide to Division 2 Willie Clark and Local 718 Vice President Rich Paris with
Mr. 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 heart
attack 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
Winter 2008-2009
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 7
Obituaries 2006 - 2008
2006
Fire Fighter James D. Ford,
Engine 55 ........................................... January 7
Fire Fighter Kenneth D. O’Neil,
Engine 30 ........................................... January 8
Fire Fighter Vincent R. Scalli,
Engine 50 ......................................... January 14
Fire Fighter William H. Tripp,
Fire Brigade ..................................... January 17
Fire Fighter Frederick V. Ahern,
Training & Maintenance Division ... January 29
Fire Fighter Henry J. Hudson,
Engine 49 ......................................... January 31
Fire Fighter John F. White,
Ladder 21 ......................................... February 2
District Chief James L. Collins,
District 5 ........................................... February 2
Lieutenant Gaspare R. Panciocco,
Ladder 28 ......................................... February 3
Fire Fighter Robert Anderson,
Engine 34 ......................................... February 7
Fire Fighter Charles R. Dowd,
Training & Maintenance Div. ........ February 10
Fire Fighter William J. Desmond,
Rescue 1 ............................................... March 1
Fire Fighter Francis X. Mayo,
Ladder 19 ............................................. March 3
Fire Fighter James B. Lavey,
Ladder 19 ............................................. March 3
District Chief James J. Freeman,
District 7 ............................................... March 4
Fire Fighter James C. Willard,
Engine 8 ............................................... March 8
Captain Thomas Berninger,
Engine 17 ........................................... March 11
Lieutenant Arthur W. Zahn,
Engine 30 ........................................... March 16
Working Foreman John H. Lawlor,
Fire Alarm Division ........................... March 17
Lieutenant Edwin C. Neimann,
Ladder 10 ........................................... March 18
Lieutenant Leo C. Reardon,
Engine 20 ........................................... March 21
Fire Fighter Robert C. Peterson,
Fire Investigation Unit ....................... March 30
Fire Fighter Donald F. Gillis,
Engine 37 ............................................. April 12
Fire Fighter Edward V. Lowney,
Engine 1 ............................................... April 16
District Chief Daniel P. Murphy,
District 12 ............................................. April 24
Fire Fighter Robert L. Higgins,
Engine 24 ............................................. April 25
Lieutenant William F. Dyer,
Engine 51 ................................................ May 1
Fire Fighter James T. George,
Engine 47 ................................................ May 6
Fire Fighter Earl H. Henson,
Engine 32 .............................................. May 12
Fire Fighter Walter W. Corwin,
Engine 32 .............................................. May 25
Fire Fighter Martin J. Rush III,
Ladder 28 .............................................. June 24
Fire Fighter Anthony J. Gawlinski,
Engine 25 ............................................... July 24
Captain Daniel M. Watson,
Engine 7 .............................................. August 4
Fire Fighter William J. Moore,
Engine 32 ............................................ August 6
8 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Fire Fighter William D. Manning,
Fire Investigation Unit ........................ August 7
John T. Dorsey,
Employee Assistance Program ......... August 16
Fire Fighter John F. Robinson,
Engine 34 .......................................... August 18
Fire Fighter Murdock J. MacRae,
Engine 49 .......................................... August 28
Lieutenant Francis J. Chapin,
Engine 39 ...................................... September 4
Fire Fighter James M. Rizzo,
Engine 31 ...................................... September 7
District Chief Thomas F. Bohan,
District 10 .................................... September 10
Captain John F. Finneran,
Engine 2 ...................................... September 17
Lieutenant Richard G. Berninger,
Fire Prevention ............................ September 19
Fire Fighter John T. Cashman,
Engine 7 ...................................... September 26
Fire Fighter Francis E. Callahan,
Ladder 24 ........................................... October 7
Fire Fighter Thomas M. O’Toole,
Engine 48 ......................................... October 19
Fire Fighter Joseph H. Murphy,
Marine Unit ...................................... October 21
Fire Fighter James E. Donovan, Jr.,
Ladder 14 ....................................... November 5
Fire Fighter Leo W. Natale, Jr.,
Engine 41 ..................................... November 14
Fire Fighter Anthony C. Ciampa,
Ladder 19 ..................................... November 17
Fire Fighter James J. Loftus,
Ladder 10 ..................................... November 22
Captain Edward E. McGrady,
Engine 5 ....................................... November 25
Fire Fighter Michael P. Downing,
Ladder 17 ................................... November 28
Lieutenant Rosario M. DeMarco,
Ladder 31 ..................................... December 11
Fire Fighter Anthony J. Rock,
Engine 49 ..................................... December 16
Lieutenant Gerard E. McGowan,
Fire Prevention ............................. December 17
District Chief Richard C. Foley,
District 11 ..................................... December 26
Lieutenant Francis A. Arnao,
Engine 1 ....................................... December 29
Captain Charles F. Freiberg,
Ladder 23 ..................................... December 30
Fire Fighter Joseph F. Coleman,
Engine 48 ..................................... December 31
2007
Fire Fighter Lawrence F. Buckley, Jr.,
Ladder 8 ............................................. January 2
Fire Fighter Robert M. Ceurvels,
Engine 10 ........................................... January 7
Deputy Chief John E. Clougherty,
Division 1 ......................................... January 15
Lieutenant Peter W. Judge,
Engine 37 ......................................... January 15
Fire Fighter George E. McGowan,
Fire Prevention Div. ......................... January 23
Fire Fighter Robert C. DeYoung,
Marine Unit ...................................... February 8
District Chief Thomas J. Hobin,
District 7 ......................................... February 10
Fire Fighter Daniel W. Grant,
Personnel Division ......................... February 16
Lieutenant Warren J. Cudmore,
Ladder 8 ......................................... February 24
Fire Fighter Mario J. Dell’Orfano,
Marine Unit .......................................... March 1
Fire Fighter Stephen A. Jerzylo,
Engine 48 ............................................. March 2
Captain John F. Kenney,
Engine 24 ............................................ March 9
Fire Fighter Anthony A. Abban,
Engine 2 ............................................. March 12
Fire Fighter William C. Millerick,
Engine 32 ........................................... March 19
Fire Fighter William J. Hegarty,
Rescue 2 ............................................. March 21
Fire Fighter John J. Trementozzi,
Ladder 8 ................................................. April 2
Lieutenant Angelo J. Koutrouba,
Ladder 9 ................................................. April 5
Lieutenant George B. Hickey,
Engine 36 ............................................. April 19
Lieutenant Frank R. Altimar,
Fire Prevention Division ...................... April 19
Fire Fighter George E. Leighton,
Ladder 24 ............................................. April 25
Captain William F. Nasta,
Ladder 24 ................................................ May 1
Fire Fighter William J. Cahill,
Fire Prevention Division ......................... May 3
Fire Fighter Anthony Cataldo,
Marine Unit ............................................. May 5
Fire Fighter Phinazee Brown. Jr.,
Ladder 25 ............................................... May 6
District Chief Emmet J. Kiley,
District 12 ................................................ May 8
Fire Fighter Neil F. Sullivan,
Aide to District 7 .................................. May 22
Fire Fighter Arthur J. Leary,
Engine 17 .............................................. May 24
★★★ Fire Fighter David A. Middleton,
Engine 51 .............................................. May 29
Fire Fighter Dennis J. Walsh,
Motor Squad .......................................... June 13
Fire Fighter Francis Duffy,
Engine 11 .............................................. June 21
Fire Fighter Thomas P. O’Connell, Jr.,
Ladder 18 .............................................. June 21
Fire Fighter Jimmy L. Young,
Engine 22 .............................................. June 26
Fire Fighter Eugene J. O’Gara,
Engine 30 ................................................. July 3
Captain Robert A. Foley,
Ladder 18 ................................................. July 4
Lieutenant Biaggi J. Germano,
Engine 42 ................................................. July 7
Fire Fighter Stephen K. Morrison,
Marine Unit ............................................ July 16
District Chief Steven H. Ostis,
District 10 ............................................... July 18
Fire Fighter Harvey Campbell,
Ladder 8 ................................................. July 24
Lieutenant Anthony F.Laurano,
Engine 56 ............................................... July 26
Captain Morley J. Carter,
Engine 42 ............................................... July 30
Fire Fighter John J. Walsh,
Engine 3 .............................................. August 8
Fire Fighter Richard T. Davis,
Engine 20 .......................................... August 21
★★★ Fire Fighter Warren J. Payne,
Ladder 25 ......................................... August 29
Winter 2008-2009
★★★ Fire Fighter Paul J. Cahill,
Engine 30 ................................................. August 29
District Chief James A. Donovan, Jr.,
District 9 .............................................. September 17
Fire Fighter John F. Gallagher, Jr.,
Aide to the Commissioner ...................... October 10
Fire Fighter Charles L. Mann, Jr.,
Ladder 11 ................................................ October 20
Paul R. Vogel,
Fire Alarm Construction ......................... October 27
Senior Fire Alarm Operator Robert L. Sullivan,
Fire Alarm ............................................... October 31
Fire Fighter Charles E. Bagley,
Lighting Plant 2 .................................... November 3
Fire Fighter John F. Casey,
Maintenance Division ........................... November 5
Captain Kevin J. O’Toole,
Fire Investigation Unit ........................ November 27
Lieutenant Arthur J. Howard,
Engine 3 .............................................. November 30
Captain Joseph L. Corbett,
Fire Investigation Unit ........................... December 3
Fire Fighter Edward C. Radzik,
Fire Investigation Unit ........................... December 3
Fire Fighter Harry S. Huether,
Engine 48 ............................................. December 15
Fire Fighter Alfred M. McLaughlin,
High Pressure ....................................... December 18
Fire Fighter Lawrence F. Ford,
Engine 41 ............................................. December 20
2008
Fire Fighter William J. McCarthy, Jr.,
Rescue 2 ................................................... January 4
★★★ Lieutenant Vincent P. Russell,
Rescue 1 ................................................... January 9
Lieutenant Paul V. Doherty,
Engine 30 ................................................. January 12
Fire Fighter Winthrop C. Hayward,
Engine 30 ................................................. January 16
Fire Fighter Richard L. Besse,
Rescue 2 ................................................. January 22
Fire Fighter James D. Regan,
Engine 16 ................................................. January 28
Fire Fighter Robert P. Richardson,
Fire Brigade ............................................. January 28
Fire Fighter Richard A. Powers,
Haz Mat Unit H-3 .................................... February 4
Fire Fighter Donald G. Newell,
Ladder 21 ................................................. February 4
Fire Fighter Robert A. Steadman,
Aide to the Commissioner ....................... February 6
Fire Fighter William G. Sullivan,
Ladder 9 ................................................. February 10
Fire Fighter Joseph Colella,
Engine 8 ................................................. February 13
Lieutenant Joseph A. Desmond,
Ladder 28 ............................................... February 14
Fire Fighter Francis A. Kane,
Ladder 3 ................................................. February 16
Fire Fighter Arthur S. Dolber,
Engine 3 ................................................. February 23
Lieutenant William F. Griffin,
Fire Prevention ....................................... February 24
Fire Fighter Carmen A. Campanaro,
Engine 36 ............................................... February 29
Fire Fighter John T. Trezzi,
Ladder 30 ..................................................... March 3
Captain Richard J. Doyle, Jr.,
Engine 49 ................................................... March 11
Winter 2008-2009
The annual ceremony for the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial took place
Thursday, September 11, 2008.
– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Captain John E. McLane,
Engine 34 ................................................... March 11
Lieutenant Robert T. Kilduff,
Ladder 23 ................................................. March 13
District Chief Frank A. Sullivan,
District 3 ..................................................... March 15
Lieutenant Lester W. Monarch, Jr.,
Engine 18 ................................................... March 15
Fire Fighter James F. Reardon,
Engine 30 ................................................... March 27
Fire Fighter James A. Meehan,
Ladder 25 ................................................... March 27
Working Foreman Edward J. Downs,
Fire Alarm Division ....................................... April 2
Fire Fighter John R. Luongo,
Rescue 1 ......................................................... April 4
Fire Fighter Edward Homer,
Maintenance Division .................................. April 12
Lieutenant Thomas L. Cushing,
Ladder 9 ....................................................... April 17
Fire Fighter John J. Walsh,
Engine 3 ....................................................... April 19
Captain Hilbert L. Smith,
Engine 28 ..................................................... April 21
Fire Fighter William J. Mantville,
Engine 45 ........................................................ May 9
Fire Fighter William G. Cudmore,
Fire Prevention .............................................. May 14
Lieutenant Edward B. Rist,
Engine 56 ...................................................... May 23
Fire Fighter Albert J. Ferretti,
Engine 51 ...................................................... May 24
Fire Fighter George McClosky,
Ladder 7 .......................................................... June 9
District Chief Paul V. McCarthy,
District 6 ........................................................ June 19
Fire Fighter Francis B. Cooley,
Engine 42 ...................................................... June 23
Fire Fighter Cornelius M. Keane,
Engine 50 ..................................................... June 30
Fire Fighter Francis P. Byrne,
Rescue 2 ........................................................... July 2
District Chief John J. Hurley, Jr.,
Fire Investigation Unit ................................... July 14
Lieutenant Bernard J. McTernan, Jr.,
Fire Investigation Unit ................................... July 18
Superintendent Dennis B. Flynn,
Maintenance Division ............................ August 16
Fire Fighter Daniel L. McDougall,
Maintenance Division ............................... August 21
Lieutenant Philip P. O’Donnell,
Ladder 26 .................................................. August 22
Fire Fighter Walter J. Conley,
Marine Unit ........................................... September 7
District Chief Norman F. Davidson, Jr.,
District 5 ................................................ September 7
Fire Fighter John J. Bogue,
Engine 25 ............................................ September 11
Fire Fighter Edward F. Bachofner,
Engine 30 ............................................ September 24
Fire Fighter James T. Shea, Jr.,
Ladder 19 ............................................ September 25
Lieutenant George F. Lee,
Public Information Office ................... September 25
Fire Fighter Norman L. Mayer,
Ladder 20 ............................................ September 28
Fire Fighter Robert J. O’Donnell.
Engine 53 ................................................ October 11
Lieutenant Gerald R. LaFlamme,
Ladder 9 .................................................. October 11
District Chief Charles L. Ryan,
District 7 .................................................. October 18
District Chief Raymond P. Morse,
District 8 .................................................. October 19
Fire Fighter Paul P. Loring,
Tower Ladder 17 .................................. October 21
Active Members – Bold Listing
Died in the Line of Duty – ★★★
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 9
Promotions / Appointments 2006 - 2008
Commissioner
Roderick J. Fraser, Jr. ............................. September 5, 2006
Chief of Department
Kevin P. MacCurtain, Division 2 ............ September 5, 2006
Chief of Operations, Field Services
Paul R. Moore, Division 1 ....................... February 22, 2006
Chief of Operations, Support Services
Andrew O’Halloran, Division 2 .............. February 27, 2006
John F. Hasson, Division 1 ................... September 12, 2007
Deputy Chief
Richard J. DiBenedetto, District 11 ..... September 26, 2006
Richard J. Mullen, District 9 ................... December 8, 2006
Michael J. Doherty, District 1 .............. September 12, 2007
Frank M. Kodzis, District 4 ............................ June 11, 2008
James R. Evans, District 7 .................... September 26, 2008
District Chief
John Dempsey, Tower Ladder 2 ................ January 30, 2006
Mark Buchanan, Ladder 25 .................. September 26, 2006
George L. Wyman, Fire Prevention ...... September 26, 2006
Ronald A. Harrington, Tower-Ladder 3 .. December 8, 2006
William J. Meyer, Ladder 29 ................. December 20, 2006
Gregory J. Mackin, Engine 22 ............... December 20, 2006
Dennis L. Keeley, Ladder 18 ......................... April 30, 2007
David W. Joseph, Engine 7 ................... September 12, 2007
Scott J. Malone, Engine 55 ...................... December 7, 2007
Joseph Neimann, Engine 41 ............................ April 8, 2008
Steven P. Rushton, Engine 10 ........................ April 17, 2008
Robert L. Dowling, Tower Ladder 10 ............ June 11, 2008
Dennis Costin, Engine 33 ..................... September 26, 2008
Captain
Paul F. Burke, Engine 33 ........................... January 30, 2006
Quentin D. Lee, Engine 33 ............................ April 19, 2006
Richard C. Francis, Engine 51 ............. September 26, 2006
Donald J. Price, Ladder 18 ................... September 26, 2006
Neal A. Mullane, Jr., Engine 37 .............. December 8, 2006
Francis X. Walsh, Fire Prevention ......... December 20, 2006
Carlos Nieves, Engine 5 ........................ December 20, 2006
David E. Springer, Engine 48 ........................ April 10, 2007
Richard Connelly, Rescue 1 .......................... April 10, 2007
Garry P. Pilato, Engine 22 ............................. April 10, 2007
James M. Doyle, Tower Ladder 10 ............... April 30, 2007
David J.Cushing, Fire Prevention .................. April 30, 2007
Jonathan Rodriguez, Ladder 24 ............ September 12, 2007
John P. Dolan, Headquarters ...................... October 23, 2007
Joseph G. McNulty, Engine 17 ................ December 7, 2007
Scott D. Wahlen, Engine 22 ..................... February 25, 2008
Michael P. Dillon, Engine 52 .................. February 25, 2008
David C. Harrison, Engine 37 ......................... April 8, 2008
Steven E. Shaffer, Ladder 26 ........................... April 8, 2008
Christopher M. Burke, Tower Ladder 17 ........ April 8, 2008
Colin P. Kelly, Engine 7 ................................. April 17, 2008
Jose A. Estrella, Ladder 28 ............................. June 11, 2008
Steven P. McGillis, Engine 55 .............. September 26, 2008
Lieutenant
Paulo M. DaSilva, Engine 28 .................... January 30, 2006
Thomas E. Brassil, Tower Ladder 3 .......... January 30, 2006
Martin J. Fernandes, Tower-Ladder 3 ........... April 19, 2006
Glenn D. McGillivray, Engine 42 ................. April 19, 2006
Sean F. Kelly, Engine 18 ................................ April 19, 2006
Gerard T. Sheehan, Engine 52 ....................... April 19, 2006
Thomas D. Farrell, Ladder 19 ....................... April 19, 2006
Peter Gailunas, Engine 7 ............................... April 19, 2006
James F. Haines, Training Division ............... April 19, 2006
James P. Greene, Ladder 29 .................. September 26, 2006
Edward E. Munroe, Ladder 29 ............. September 26, 2006
Steven J. Mitchell, Ladder 26 ............... September 26, 2006
Christopher Corwin, Ladder 1 ............... December 20, 2006
Mark A. Corwin, Engine 16 .................. December 20, 2006
Brian J. Tully, Engine 14 ........................... February 2, 2007
Sean B. Linnell, Ladder 4 ........................ February 16, 2007
Jamie Walsh, Engine 52 ................................. April 10, 2007
William McGuirk, Ladder 16 ........................ April 10, 2007
Michael B. Carey, Engine 24 ......................... April 10, 2007
Michael J. Palizzolo, Engine 53 .................... April 30, 2007
Edward C. Donovan, Ladder 4 ...................... April 30, 2007
Patrick Lynch, Engine 52 .............................. April 30, 2007
William L. Miller, Ladder 4 ........................... June 13, 2007
Thomas J. Scanlan, Engine 42 ................... August 15, 2007
Adrian S. Jordan, Ladder 2 ......................... August 15, 2007
Calvin Smalls, Ladder 28 ..................... September 12, 2007
William P. Pappas, Ladder 1 ................. September 12, 2007
Keith Rowe, Ladder 2 ................................ October 23, 2007
John R. Berthiaume, Ladder 14 ................. October 23, 2007
James E. Sullivan, Engine 55 ................ November 19, 2007
Michael P. Boyle, Engine 21 ................... December 7, 2007
John R. Soares, Ladder 26 ........................... January 9, 2008
Vincent E. Dimino, Ladder 7 ..................... February 6, 2008
Robert J. Counihan, Ladder 7 .................. February 25, 2008
Marcus A. Dennis, Ladder 28 .................. February 25, 2008
Robert E. Hayes, Ladder 25 .................... February 25, 2008
Glen A. Campbell, Ladder 26 .......................... April 8, 2008
Stephen Avellino, Engine 50 ........................... April 8, 2008
Jeremiah A. McCarthy, Ladder 1 .................... April 8, 2008
Daniel R. Dowling, Engine 14 ........................ April 8, 2008
Santos J. Ortiz, Engine 16 ............................... April 8, 2008
Daniel P. McCarthy, Engine 49 ....................... April 8, 2008
Sean M. O’Brien, Ladder 7 ........................... April 17, 2008
Edward A. Godinho, Engine 53 ...................... June 11, 2008
Daniel A. Fossa, Detail Office .................... August 12, 2008
Edmundo James, Ladder 11 ....................... August 12, 2008
Francis D. Foley, Engine 52 ................. September 26, 2008
Sean E. Coppney, Engine 21 ................ September 26, 2008
David J. Connell, Engine 30 ................. September 26, 2008
Michael J. Whelan, Ladder 16 .............. September 26, 2008
Gerald J. Powers, Ladder 4 ................... September 26, 2008
Thomas J. Murray, FIU .............................. October 31, 2008
Christopher P. Sloane, Engine 21 .............. October 31, 2008
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
John P. Henderson .......................................... April 19, 2006
Assistant Superintendent of Fire Alarm
John G. Smiddy .............................................. April 19, 2006
Principal Fire Alarm Operator
Edward F. Byrne ............................................ April 19, 2006
Senior Fire Alarm Operator
David C. Marshall .......................................... April 19, 2006
Eileen Clougherty ...................................... February 2, 2007
10 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
Recording Secretary’s Report
Ralph Dowling, FAO
Send Us Your Email Address for Timely Local 718 Information
G
etting information to our membership is important, getting accurate information in a timely fashion is critical in
the Union Business. Rumors can spread around the job
about contract or other pressing issues that could damage talks
and strategies that are developing. Over the past several years
I’ve been fortunate enough to have the support of the leadership
and membership in developing a member’s data base that can be
used to address our members with up-to-date news and information. Recently we have had members seriously injured, and did
not have correct next of kin information. The information that
you provide to this office is critical in the event of an emergency;
also it provides us with information to send you IAFF magazines, Local 718 Digest and other information. By using e-mail
we can send messages instantly to hundreds of members in a
matter of minutes. In cases when we endorse a specific political
candidate, we can send mailings (U.S. Mail) to target specific
towns and cities that out members reside in. This is a great tool
and it continues to grow.
With the support of President Ed Kelly, we are re-designing
Boston Firefighters Local 718 web site. This new web site will
be more interactive for our members. By that I mean as members
of 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 gallery, E-board representatives and much more. If you do not presently receive the Local 718 E-Newsletter and you wish to be
added to our list, send your name and e-mail address to
Ralph@Local718.org, or visit www.bostonfirelocal718.org and
register online.
The West Roxbury YMCA is offering free immediate family
(wife/husband, son, and daughter) membership to the YMCA for
families of Local 718 members who are deployed in the military.
This membership is also good for all other YMCA facilities in the
Metro-Boston area. If you are interested in this free program for
your family, or if you know of a member who is deployed, contact
his or her family and share this information. Contact Kara
O’Connor, Public Relations Director, West Roxbury YMCA, 15
Bellevue Street, West Roxbury, MA 02232, 617-323-3200 x128,
to learn more.
If you have or wish to post information on an event regarding
our members (retirement party, ski trip, or Local 718 sporting
events) e-mail me and I’ll send out the information to our members. Also keep in mind the membership voted this year to
change the hour of our monthly Union meeting. The monthly
Union meeting will now begin at 7 p.m.
This has been a difficult year for all of us; we have been attacked by City Hall and the media. We also have stood tall together when called upon by Local 718. The leadership of this Local will continue to fight for your rights, and the respect that you
all deserve for the service you provide protecting the citizens of
Boston.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year!
On October 31, 2008 promotions were held at
Memorial Hall. Pictured from left, Commissioner
Roderick Fraser, new Lieutenant Tom Murray, FIU,
new Lieutenant Chris Sloane, E-21 and Chief of
Department Kevin
MacCurtain.
On September 26, 2008 promotions were held at
Headquarters. Local 718 President Ed Kelly
joined with Commissioner Fraser and Chief of
Department 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.
Rescue 1.
Winter 2008-2009
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 11
Retirements 2006 - 2008
2006
Fire Fighter Paul J. Zepf, Rescue Company 2
Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 1/19/06
Captain John W. Ahern, Engine Company 2
Appointed 11/11/70 ................ Retired 1/20/06
Fire Fighter Robert J. Noto,
Engine Company 2
Appointed 8/25/71 .................. Retired 1/20/06
Fire Fighter Walter W. Joy,
Fire Prevention Division
Appointed 8/31/77 .................. Retired 1/20/06
Deputy Fire Chief Martin Fisher, Division 1
Appointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 1/31/06
District Fire Chief Robert F. Snell, District 7
Appointed 6/3/70 .................... Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter / Public Information Officer
David F. Walsh, Headquarters
Appointed 6/3/70 .................... Retired 1/31/06
District Fire Chief Richard K. Lynch,
District 4
Appointed 8/12/70 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter Robert J. Campbell, Marine Unit
Appointed 5/12/71 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter Edward W. Neff,
Rehabilitation Unit W-25
Appointed 7/7/71 .................... Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter John F. O’Neil, Fire Brigade
Appointed 10/20/71 ................ Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter John F. LaPorte, Engine 8
Appointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Lieutenant Robert Goglia,
Special Operations Command
Appointed 7/17/74 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter Mark G. Callahan, Fire
Investigation Unit
Appointed 7/23/75 ................... Retired 1/31 06
Fire Fighter Samuel P. Powell, Engine 16
Appointed 1/18/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Alarm Operator William Chisholm,
Fire Alarm Division
Appointed 3/22/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter Paul D. Conlon, Engine 14
Appointed 5/17/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter Harold A. Bodden,
Personnel Division
Appointed 12/6/78 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Lieutenant William D. Ceurvels, Ladder 18
Appointed 10/19/83 ................ Retired 1/31/06
Fire Fighter Dennis J. Hogan, Ladder 19
Appointed 10/19/83 ................ Retired 1/31/06
Electrical Repairman John T. Dorsey,
Fire Alarm Division
Appointed 7/17/96 .................. Retired 1/31/06
Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department
Paul A. Christian
Appointed 1/17/68 .................. Retired 2/15/06
Firefighter James F. Mahoney,
Fire Prevention Division
Appointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 2/28/06
Firefighter Robert W. Beals, Engine 7
Appointed 7/7/71 .................... Retired 2/28/06
District Chief Edmund G. Maiorana, District 5
Appointed 10/20/65 ................ Retired 3/31/06
Lieutenant Robert J. Sullivan, Marine Unit
Appointed 1/17/68 .................. Retired 3/31/06
Lieutenant Donald C. Kernan,
Fire Prevention Division
Appointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 3/31/06
Firefighter Daniel M. Polvere, Ladder 23
Appointed 8/12/70 .................. Retired 3/31/06
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
Patrick M. O’Rourke
Appointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 3/31/06
Lieutenant Joseph Arsenault, Ladder 14
Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 3/31/06
Firefighter Phillip Marsh,
Special Operations Command
Appointed 6/23/76 .................. Retired 4/30/06
Lieutenant Gerard F. Shea, Rescue 1
Appointed 5/1/68 .................... Retired 5/31/06
Captain John J. Evans, Engine 8
Appointed 10/22/69 ................ Retired 5/31/06
Firefighter Donald R. Starrow, Engine 24
Appointed 12/30/70 ................ Retired 5/31/06
District Chief Dennis J. Roache, District 6
Appointed 4/5/72 .................... Retired 5/31/06
District Chief Lawrence S. DiSanto,
Training Division
Appointed 6/23/76 .................. Retired 5/31/06
Firefighter Edward J. Coleman, Ladder 25
Appointed 9/27/78 .................. Retired 5/31/06
Firefighter Thomas K. Sylvester, Ladder 4
Appointed 2/6/80 .................... Retired 5/31/06
Firefighter Karen L. Miller, Engine 48
Appointed 8/14/85 .................. Retired 5/31/06
Firefighter James A. O’Sullivan, Ladder 14
Appointed 8/20/86 .................. Retired 5/31/06
Firefighter Leo F. Burns, Engine 5
Appointed 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 domestic
violence. Advertising in English, Spanish and Portuguese ran on the MBTA and bus lines across the state.
– Photo by Liz Curtis
12 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
Captain Michael F. Sheehan, Training Division
Appointed 5/17/72 .................. Retired 6/30/06
Firefighter Jonathan J. Jackson, Engine 51
Appointed 6/23/76 .................. Retired 6/30/06
Firefighter Aaron Roberson, Ladder 14
Appointed 10/31/84 ................ Retired 6/30/06
District Chief Nicholas P. Keenan, District 10
Appointed 8/24/66 .................. Retired 7/31/06
Firefighter Kenneth Rodgers, Engine 17
Appointed 1/18/67 .................. Retired 7/31/06
Firefighter Robert Morgan, Engine 20
Appointed 5/18/77 .................. Retired 7/31/06
Firefighter Jesse B. Jones, Engine 30
Appointed 8/31/77 .................. Retired 7/31/06
Firefighter Richard Hall, Ladder 11
Appointed 8/14/85 .................. Retired 7/31/06
Firefighter Joseph Teixeira, Engine 14
Appointed 10/30/85 ................ Retired 7/31/06
Lieutenant John M. Doherty, L.E.P.C
Appointed 10/20/65 ................ Retired 9/30/06
Captain William J. Buckley, Ladder 16
Appointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 9/30/06
Firefighter Thomas Matthews,
Headquarters Division
Appointed 1/17/68 ................ Retired 11/30/06
Firefighter William M. Burns, Tower-Ladder3
Appointed 10/22/69 .............. Retired 11/30/06
Firefighter William J. Leavey, Engine 20
Appointed 7/26/72 ................ Retired 11/30/06
Captain Hubert J. McGrath, Engine 3
Appointed 10/30/74 .............. Retired 11/30/06
Lieutenant John Lovett, Ladder 28
Appointed 3/19/75 ................ Retired 11/30/06
Firefighter Mark A. Trifiro, Tower-Ladder 2
Appointed 1/27/88 ................ Retired 11/30/06
2007
Senior Fire Alarm Operator Francis G. Fell, Fire
Alarm Division
Appointed 5/23/74 .................. Retired 1/19/07
Lieutenant Leo D. Stapleton, Jr.,
Office of the Commissioner
Appointed 12/6/78 .................. Retired 1/31/07
Fire Fighter Michael T. Pass, Engine 55
Appointed 10/19/83 ................ Retired 1/31/07
Fire Fighter Kevin M. Walsh, Ladder 14
Appointed 4/2/86 .................... Retired 1/31/07
Captain Joseph M. Gilmore, Engine 42
Appointed 5/12/71 .................. Retired 2/28/07
District Chief Paul V. Farren, District 4
Appointed 5/17/72 .................. Retired 2/28/07
Lieutenant Kevin J. Clifford, Engine 42
Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 2/28/07
Fire Fighter Patrick A. Munroe, Engine 21
Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 2/28/07
Captain Robert F. Buckley, Ladder 6
Appointed 1/18/78 .................. Retired 2/28/07
Fire Fighter Thomas J. Hale, Fire Brigade
Appointed 2/6/80 .................... Retired 2/28/07
Fire Fighter John J. Flaherty,
Fire Investigation Unit
Appointed 12/24/69 ................ Retired 3/31/07
Fire Fighter Arthur W. Connors, Marine Unit
Appointed 7/7/71 .................... Retired 3/31/07
Fire Fighter Joseph Maher,
Fire Prevention Division
Appointed 3/20/74 .................. Retired 3/31/07
Fire Fighter Edward Mahoney, Engine 51
Appointed 12/18/74 ................ Retired 3/31/07
Winter 2008-2009
Fire Fighter Kevin Mitchell, Ladder 17
Appointed 3/19/75 .................. Retired 4/30/07
Lieutenant Ronald J. Savicke, Engine 2
Appointed 5/17/78 .................. Retired 4/30/07
Fire Fighter John J. McGrath,
Training Division
Appointed 7/31/96 .................. Retired 4/30/07
Lieutenant William C. Duffy, Ladder 29
Appointed 8/22/73 .................. Retired 5/31/07
Captain James M. Morrison, Rescue 1
Appointed 7/23/75 .................. Retired 5/31/07
Fire Fighter David Humphrey, Tower Ladder 3
Appointed 2/20/91 .................. Retired 5/31/07
Fire Fighter Jordan Wise, Engine 49
Appointed 1/18/78 .................. Retired 6/30/07
Fire Fighter Sylvester Jones, Engine 49
Appointed 9/27/78 .................. Retired 7/31/07
Fire Fighter Paul Walsh,
Fire Investigation Unit
Appointed 7/23/75 .................. Retired 8/31/07
Lieutenant James R. Wall, Tower Ladder 3
Appointed 2/19/69 .................. Retired 9/30/07
Fire Fighter James B. Donahue,
Personnel Division
Appointed 8/25/71 .................. Retired 9/30/07
Fire Fighter William R. MacDonald,
Personnel Division
Appointed 9/27/72 .................. Retired 9/30/07
Fire Fighter David Glover, Ladder 23
Appointed 1/22/86 .................. Retired 9/30/07
Fire Fighter John P. Kelly, Tower Ladder 10
Appointed 1/6/97 .................... Retired 9/30/07
Captain Daniel J. Chisholm, Engine 21
Appointed 3/20/74 ................ Retired 10/31/07
Lieutenant Michael J. Doherty, Ladder 2
Appointed 2/20/91 ................ Retired 10/31/07
District Chief John J. Ellard, District 6
Appointed 11/11/70 ....................... Retired 11/30/07
Fire Fighter William J. Puglia, Engine 2
Appointed 7/31/96 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Francis J. Byron,
Fire Investigation Unit
Appointed 7/7/71 ............................. Retired 2/29/08
Fire Fighter Patrick J. MacAuley, W-25
Appointed 2/19/69 ........................... Retired 3/31/08
Lieutenant Kevin G. Flaherty, Engine 18
Appointed 3/19/75 ........................... Retired 3/31/08
Fire Fighter James R. Oliver, Ladder 19
Appointed 3/19/75 ........................... Retired 3/31/08
Fire Fighter Michael F. King, Jr.,
Fire Investigation Unit
Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 4/30/08
Fire Fighter Robert Finn, Fire Brigade
Appointed 10/31/84 ......................... Retired 5/31/08
Fire Fighter William P. McGourty, Engine 17
Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 6/30/08
Lieutenant Neal A. Mullane, Engine 21
Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 7/31/08
Lieutenant Donald P. Doenges, Engine 50
Appointed 8/12/70 ........................... Retired 7/31/08
Lieutenant Neil F. Doherty, Rescue 1
Appointed 8/25/71 ........................... Retired 7/31/08
District Chief James Famolare, Personnel Division
Appointed 2/19/69 ........................... Retired 8/11/08
Lieutenant Norman Hayes, Engine 28
Appointed 3/20/74 ........................... Retired 8/31/08
Deputy Chief Peter P. Pearson, Division 2
Appointed 8/14/85 ............................. Retired 9/5/08
Lieutenant Coleman F. Connolly, Engine 18
Appointed 5/12/93 ........................... Retired 9/10/08
Deputy Chief William F. Hitchcock,
Chief of Operations - Support
Appointed 5/17/72 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
Fire Fighter David S. Lang, Fire Brigade
Appointed 5/17/72 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
2008
Fire Fighter Pyeth V. Jones, Engine 55
Appointed 5/18/77 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
Fire Fighter Wendell Sumpter, Engine 22
Appointed 9/27/78 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
Fire Fighter Charles H. Reddick, Ladder 9
Appointed 2/22/89 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
Fire Fighter William R. Gottwald, Engine 3
Appointed 2/20/91 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
Fire Fighter David Krasner, Ladder 9
Appointed 7/31/96 ........................... Retired 9/30/08
Fire Fighter / Assistant Superintendent
James H. Pyke, Maintenance Division
Appointed 12/24/69 ....................... Retired 10/31/08
Deputy Chief Paul R. Moore,
Chief of Operations – Field
Appointed 5/17/72 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Lieutenant James F. Borden, Fire Academy
Appointed 9/27/72 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter Robert P. McNiff, Fire Brigade
Appointed 9/27/72 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter / Motor Apparatus Engineer
Ronald F. Petrucci, Maintenance Division
Appointed 7/23/75 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter Alexander Lindsay, Engine 32
Appointed 5/17/78 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter Ricardo Anderson, Tower Ladder 10
Appointed 8/14/85 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter Edward F. Murphy, Ladder 1
Appointed 7/31/96 ......................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter Robert K. Callahan, Ladder 28
Appointed 10/29/97 ....................... Retired 10/31/08
Fire Fighter Franklin A. Lawrence, Fire Brigade
Appointed 1/18/67 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter David C. Johnson, Engine 50
Appointed 1/17/68 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Lieutenant John J. Simpson, Personnel Division
Appointed 12/24/69 ......................... Retired 1/31/08
Lieutenant Richard J. Walsh, Rescue 2
Appointed 7/7/71 ............................. Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Leonard F. Hansford, Ladder 21
Appointed 5/17/72 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Lieutenant Martin J. O’Brien, Jr., Engine 50
Appointed 9/27/72 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Edward W. Lynch, Jr., Engine 32
Appointed 9/27/72 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Lieutenant Gerard J. Powers, Engine 18
Appointed 8/22/73 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Thomas Dunphy, Fire Brigade
Appointed 3/20/74 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Gerard W. Lavey, Engine 2
Appointed 3/20/74 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Robert P. Williams, Engine 30
Appointed 12/18/74 ......................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Richard N. McSweeney, Ladder 6
Appointed 12/6/78 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Albert J. Lynch, Ladder 4
Appointed 2/6/80 ............................. Retired 1/31/08
Fire Fighter Michael J. O’Callaghan, Engine 10
Appointed 7/21/94 ........................... Retired 1/31/08
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 13
On August 3, 2008,
3 alarms were struck
for 19 Mellen Street
in Dorchester.
– Photos by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
On July 27, 2008,
3 alarms were struck for
22 Trull Street in Dorchester.
– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
14 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
Legislative Report
Larry Curran, HQ
Deval’s Doings
F
or the third time in the last two years, Governor Deval
Patrick has demonstrated his disdain for firefighters by
vetoing funds from the budget that were intended to be used
for training our members. The thing is these funds come from
the money insurance companies collect from premiums on fire
insurance.
The legislature saw fit to override Deval’s veto of these funds
the last two sessions of the legislature. But the Governor struck
again when he exercised his 9C authority and slashed these funds
for a third time. We are all well aware of the fiscal challenges
faced by government. Such a move allows the Governor to create the illusion he is saving taxpayer money but in fact he is enriching the insurance companies.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Make no mistake about it, the Patrick administration is clearly
moving in the direction of removing health care as a topic of
collective bargaining. This effort was disguised in his municipal
relief package which allows municipal governments to scrap their
existing health care plans in favor of joining the state Group Insurance Commission. In order to do this, the employees must
approve the change. 70% of the employees unions must approve
the change and the retirees have one representative who represents 10% of the vote.
It appears that the powers that be are dissatisfied with the number of communities going into the GIC. There is a lot of talk
about removing the employees right to vote on whether or not
they make the change. Some want to allow the employer to unilaterally decide whether or not they go into the GIC. What is also
troubling is that Speaker DiMasi has indicated that he favors removal of the employees right to vote from the process.
The fact that we have made concessions over the years on numerous other issues in order to maintain a certain level of health
care is forgotten.
PENSIONS
The so called “municipal relief plan” is another way to try and
force local retirement boards to turn their assets over to the state
pension system thereby taking the employees contributions and
putting these funds in the hands of the state.
The legislation, Chapter 68 of the Acts of 2007, created a bogus standard by which local retirement boards have their return
on 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 is
two percentage points or more, below the return of the PRIM Board
and the system is less than 65% funded, the board will be declared
underperforming and its assets will be transferred to the PRIT
Fund.
The problem is that the PRIT Fund and the local retirement
boards operate under a different set of rules. The PRIT Fund has
no restrictions on it and it can invest in whatever asset classes it
wishes. The local boards have restrictions as to what asset classes
they can invest in and as to what percentage of the assets they are
allowed to put into an asset class. This puts the local boards at a
considerable disadvantage. To use this standard is dishonest to
say the least but it serves the purpose of the administration, namely
to get control on the members money by using an invalid measuring stick which is virtually impossible to meet.
The administration is allegedly labor friendly but they appear
to be following through with a Romney/Healey agenda.
The Disability Retirement Process
by Larry Curran, HQ
here is a tremendous amount of misinformation in the media regarding disability
pensions and the process one goes through
to be awarded a disability pension. The following is a brief outline of the process each
member must go through to be awarded a
pension.
When a member is injured in the line of
duty the member must document his or her
injury and submit the paperwork to the fire
department. The paperwork goes to fire headquarters and to the office of the medical examiner. If the member who is injured is relieved from duty he or she must report to the
fire department doctor and sign a release of
all his medical records for the reported injury.
The fire department doctor monitors the fire
fighters condition and treatment. At the conclusion of the member’s treatment, the department doctor clears the member to return to duty.
If a member reaches an end result in his
treatment and is still unable to return to work,
he will then file his papers for a disability pension.
T
Winter 2008-2009
The member will file an application for
accidental disability retirement benefits with
the retirement board. A physician must file a
statement with the board stating that the member is:
1) Totally disabled, this means that the
member is unable to perform the duties
of a fire fighter
2) The injury must be considered permanent. However, the law allows for members who retire to be re-examined and
returned to duty
3) The injury must be job related and in a
case where the injury is related to the
heart, lungs or cancer, there is a legal
presumption that the injury is job related.
The member is required to sign a release
of all of his or her medical records, treatments
etc. The employer also has paperwork that
must be filed with information such as what
the duties of a firefighter are.
When the application process is completed,
the Boston Retirement Board makes a request to
the Public Employee Retirement Administration
Commission (PERAC) asking that a medical
panel be set up to examine the applicant.
PERAC is the regulatory agency that oversees all retirement boards in the state. PERAC
will set up a medical panel of three
unassociated physicians, the majority of
whom are experts in the field of medicine related to the member’s injury.
The medical panel receives all the medical records prior to the exam and will usually
review the records prior to the actual exam.
Once the exam is complete the medical panel
has 60 days to get its report back to PERAC.
PERAC reviews the determination of the
medical panel and in turn forwards the panel’s
report to the retirement board.
To be eligible to retire, two of the three
physicians must answer yes to the three questions certifying that the applicant is totally
disabled, the injury is permanent and the injury is job related.
If the medical panel approves the application, the Boston Retirement Board will schedule an appointment for a hearing officer re(continued on page 16)
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 15
le of Boston
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said about all that is wr
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First, and foremost, we
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with our lives. We are no
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is the case in any close
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members until we get all
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Over the past year, much
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have been accused of wr
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We
.
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strive to uphold.
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are just as committed
want you to know that we
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exploit the actions of a
not lie with the hard
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t their lives on the line
working people who pu
the Boston Firefighter
se that these attacks on
mi
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One final point: You ha
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W
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wi
Family will not interfere
Always!
to
Any questions please go
This Open Letter
From Your
Firefighters was
Distributed to
200,000 Boston
Residents on
Election Day,
November 3, 2008
Ordinary
People
Doing
Extraordinary
Things!
8.org
www.bostonfirelocal71
18
7
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The Disability Retirement Process
(continued from page 15)
view. The hearing office is an outside attorney who will review all the documents and
examine the applicant by asking questions
relative to his or her history with the department and the injuries sustained. This step is
to insure that there are no inconsistencies relative to the claim. The hearing officer submits
a report to the retirement board with a recommended decision.
At this point, the application, medical panel
report and hearing officer report are sent to
16 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
the members of the retirement board for their
review prior to the board meeting.
At the next retirement board meeting, these
cases are discussed in executive session and a
vote is taken on whether or not to approve the
case.
When the board votes to approve a case, it
is then sent back to PERAC to be reviewed
by them and they have 30 days to return the
case to the retirement board with an approval
or 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 separate physicians and the findings are reviewed
by PERAC, the hearing officer, the retirement
board and PERAC again.
Subsequent to retirement, members may
be re-examined and returned to duty. Retirees
also have restrictions on their outside earnings and if they exceed the limits their pension may be terminated.
Winter 2008-2009
Health and Safety Committee Report
Neal Mullane, Jr., HQ Pool
Modern Materials and Old School Firefighters
W
e have all heard the veterans on the job say that fires today are
different than they were in years past. Technology and equipment has changed. Building construction has changed; light
weight truss roofs fail faster than the old rafters. Energy efficient doors
and windows hold more heat inside, keep fires from being detected
longer, and decrease the time to flashover. These elements and many
others increase the danger to firefighters, but we educate, train, and we
adjust to keep ourselves safer. A significant change that is not as tangible is the chemical makeup of modern materials. What is this stuff,
why does it burn hotter and faster, and why are firefighters contracting
cancer at an alarming rate?
First of all don’t fear the Level 3. We have learned to slow down as
hazardous material releases and very few firefighters get sick or injured
mitigating these incidents. The most dangerous Haz/Mat’s we will respond to are building and vehicle fires. These are the fires that expose us
to some of the most dangerous and deadly toxins, poisons, and carcinogens. The days of untreated wood, uncoated metals, natural fiber, and
glass are numbered. All these old school materials are being replaced
by modern synthetic materials. Plastics are one of the most abundant
compounds we deal with every day. The term “plastic” does not sound
dangerous, but plastic does not occur naturally in nature, it is designed
in chemical labs and derived from oil, natural gas, and coal. From the
moment a plastic is made it starts to break down. You can smell a shower
curtain because it is off gassing and decomposing to the chemicals it
was made from, it gets hard and brittle and we trash it. Plastics break
down faster when heated. Ever notice the smell inside your car on a hot
day?
Look around your house, office or car. It is easier to point out what is
not synthetic. Your plumbing, wire insulation, and trash barrel are most
likely PVC, polyvinyl chloride. Your mattress, car seat, and couch contain urethane. Styrofoam is a trademark for polystyrene thermal insulation. Carpeting is a nice way to say nylon, which is a family of compounds that contain polyamides, and non stick cook ware sounds better
than saying hyrdofluorinated coated pans. All these materials release
more toxins when heated; fire does a good job of that. These nasty compounds are turned into gases and broken down into a toxic, poisonous,
carcinogenic soup we “take a feed on” at every type of fire. This is
chemistry, and chemistry does not lie.
Being that most synthetics are derived from oil we draw two conclusions: 1. Most are highly flammable and burn hotter than natural products; and 2. “Big oil” supplies “Big plastic”, both industries have more
funds than the fire service, and they don’t advertise how dangerous their
product is. The health factor requires some research and understanding.
We are all familiar with CO. All combustion gives off carbon monoxide. It is the number one poison in the world. Modern materials generate more hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and CO per pound than natural
materials. Hydrogen cyanide and CO are classified as chemical asphyxiates; they surround your red blood cells and prevent your body from
using oxygen. On March 23-24, 2006, in Providence, R.I., firefighters
responded to three separate fires. 27 members were tested for HCN
exposure, eight had symptoms of HCN poisoning, and one member
took a heart attack. The post incident analysis by the Providence Fire
Dept. and Local 799 make 15 recommendations. The first is training on
the 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:
Winter 2008-2009
Modern Material Chemical Released
Health Hazard
Tires
Styrene, Lead
Suspected Carcinogen
Benzene, Butadiene,
Chromium
Carcinogen
Hydrogen Sulfide, Mercury Poison
Asphalt Shingles Asbestos
Carcinogen
Bitumen
Suspected Carcinogen
Fiberglass
Styrene
Suspected Carcinogen
Dioxin
Carcinogen
Paint/Varnish
Methylene Chloride
Carcinogen
Perchloroethane
Carcinogen
Pressure Treated
Wood
Arsenic
Carcinogen
Pentachlorophenol
Suspected Carcinogen
Plywood/
Particle Board
Arsenic/Formaldehyde
Carcinogen
Upholstery
Hydrochloric Acid
Corrosive
Dioxins
Carcinogen
Plastics (Other)
Benzene
Carcinogen
Chromium Oxide
Carcinogen
Styrene
Suspected Carcinogen
Carbon Tetrachloride
Carcinogen
Electronics
Mercury
Poison/Neurotoxin
When wearing full personal protective equipment and S.B.C.A. we
still absorb chemicals through our skin, more so when we perspire. When
not wearing S.C.B.A. these nasty chemicals have a direct route into our
bodies, heavy metals in particular may stay forever. Debora Wallace,
PhD, author of In the Mouth of the Dragon-Toxic Fires and the Age of
Plastics, says: “Generally, the gases emitted during the shouldering/decomposition stage of a fire are more toxic than those emitted during the
actual burning. Thus, in many fires, the shouldering/decomposition stage
of a fire is the real killer.” This book is highly recommended reading for
firefighters; it’s a real eye opener. Wallace also explains that fully developed fire burns many toxins completely, but as the room temperature
cools, synthetic chemicals re-enter the temperature range where they release the most toxic by-products. This is right about the time we dump
our masks for better vision, communications, or overhauling. At this time
we are breathing heavier and perspire. The toxic gases may be colorless
and odorless and some toxins attach to the soot we breathe in deep. The
respiratory system is the primary route of chemical exposure.
Our membership is averaging a cancer diagnosis every month and a
cardiac event every two weeks. Google™ the University of Cincinnati
Firefighter Cancer Study, which shows we have an increased risk to the
following cancers; skin, prostate, rectum, stomach, colon, brain, nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and malignant melanoma. Male
firefighters have the distinction of having a 100% greater chance than
John Q. Public of developing testicular cancer.
Why aren’t these facts in the Globe? So, what do we do? We have to
lose the tough guy attitude and keep your mask on for the entirety of the
fire, especially overhaul. Toxic chemicals do not care how tough you are,
they have already killed some of the toughest “Jakes” we had. We have to
decontaminate 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 of
our bodies at any and all costs. The fire department of 20 years ago is not
the one we have today. Presumptive laws cover some disorders, but not
all of them. Will we be covered and your family protected in twenty
years? Why take the chance. At your next fire, before you lose the face
piece, 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 started
in those chemical plants.
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 17
Boston Fire Department
Chief John A. Martin Fire Academy • Moon Island
Recruit Training Program Graduates • November 5, 2007 – March 11, 2008
GROUP 1 ➤
Thomas J. Chadwell, Engine 56
Larentz O. Greene II, Engine 30
Matthew S. Callahan, Ladder 4
Michael R. Kennedy, Ladder 2
Benjamin T. Upton, Ladder 11
Christopher J. Abban, Engine 3
Matthew R. Nelson, Engine 21
Matthew M. Crane, Ladder 7
John R .Dever, Engine 14
Dennis R. Harrison, Ladder 21
Richard J. Savicke, Engine 18
Todd L. Bailes, Engine 51
Nicholas J. Gregorio, Engine 4
Ryan P. Murphy,
Braintree Fire Department
Ryan J. Pugsley,
Braintree Fire Department
GROUP 2 ➤
Michael J. Materia, Ladder 15
James M. Walsh, Tower Ladder 17
Janice M. Kervin, Engine 41
James S. Philpott, Engine 30
Christopher J. O’Connor, Engine 16
Christopher M. Dunn, Ladder 24
Juan G. Gonzales, Ladder 21
Bryan J. Griffin, Engine 7
GROUP 3 ➤
Ryan J. Oag, Ladder 14
Elson R. Monterio, Engine 29
Michael P. Browne, Tower Ladder 3
Gregory D. Williams, Engine 28
John L. Howard, Engine 8
Paul Bradley, Engine 33
Joseph Lynch, Ladder 6
Daniel J. Magoon, Engine 21
Michael S. Locust, Engine 56
Michael T. O’Sullivan, Engine 52
Dana M. Robinson, Ladder 28
John R. Adams, Engine 37
Edward Contilli, Engine 33
Michael Fiola,
Chelsea Fire Department
Roberto Sepulveda, Engine 29
Daniel J. Kane, Ladder 4
Dwaine E. Daye, Ladder 14
Thomas G. Connelly, Engine 49
Dennis P. Devlin, Ladder 1
Jared W. Blaney,
Dedham Fire Department
GROUP 4 ➤
Clyde A. Forde, Engine 50
Brendan D. McCarthy, Engine 24
John Katikakis, Engine 14
Jacob Yee, Engine 4
Timothy D. Gerety, Ladder 2
Daniel J. McLaughlin, Ladder 15
James P .Riley, Tower Ladder 10
Steven E. Kasper, Ladder 7
18 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Joel T. Cruz, Engine 49
Matthew P. Murphy, Engine 10
Christopher Briggs, Engine 41
Michael C. Ronayne,
Tower Ladder 10
David P. Blandino, Engine 39
Michael J. Woods,
Braintree Fire Department
Winter 2008-2009
Recruit Training Program Graduates • June 11, 2008 – October 9, 2008
GROUP 1 ➤
Michael Browder, Jr., Ladder 6
Matthew J. Kaiser, Engine 28
Colin J. Dockins, Engine 51
Marc R. Hayhurst, Ladder 6
William W. Hayhurst III,
Tower Ladder 17
Tyrance J. Corbett, Engine 56
GROUP 2 ➤
Michael R. Goggin, Engine 10
Andrew C. Burns, Ladder 11
Michael Jeglinski, Ladder 21
Matthew R. Kenneally, Engine 14
William E. Schulze, Ladder 21
Patrick M. Slattery, Engine 18
Michael L. Blake, Jr., Ladder 11
Daniel Considine, Jr., Engine 8
James P. Duffy, Ladder 16
Timothy J. Dunn,
Chelsea Fire Department
Michael G. Angelo,
Malden Fire Department
GROUP 3 ➤
Francis S. Jankowski, Jr., Engine 7
Ryan J. Lore, Ladder 24
Christopher R. Minor, Engine 17
Mark A. O’Callaghan, Ladder 18
Alector E. Tavares,
Tower Ladder 10
Raymond Travers, Ladder 29
GROUP 4 ➤
Leonard A. Whitted, Engine 42
Jennifer S. Crosby, Engine 48
Stephen M. Sacilotto, Engine 9
Michael R. Sweeney, Engine 16
Michael J. McCarthy, Engine 21
Deanna M. McDevitt, Engine 3
Michael P. Tuohy, Engine 24
Manuel A. Andrade, Ladder 2
Leo J. Greeley, Engine 5
Michael J. O’Donovan, Engine 4
Rory P. Thornton, Engine 52
Sean M. Kelly, Engine 37
Nicholas Foss,
Dedham Fire Department
Justin T. Yanosick, Ladder 26
Sean M. Barrett,
Tower Ladder 3
Ryan M. Lynn, Engine 50
Scott M. Perry, Engine 53
Antonio Cicolini,
Malden Fire Department
David K. Stock, Ladder 18
David T. McCann, Ladder 4
Richard K. Boggs, Engine 39
Carter Glass,
Chelsea Fire Department
William Condon,
Malden Fire Department
Fire Academy Creed
Let no one’s ghost come back to say, “My training let me down.”
Winter 2008-2009
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 19
by
Deputy Chief
Joseph Fleming
with the
assistance of:
Acting Deputy Chief
Robert Reynolds
(Division 2)
District Chief
Paul Keeley
(District 12)
District Chief
Mike Feely
(H-1)
Anatomy of a Truss Failure
8
58 Hyde Park Avenue was a 3-story wood frame residential building with a 2-story
assembly 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 the
roof structure. The entrance at the rear of the assembly area was at the 2nd floor of the
assembly portion. (The ground sloped upward from the front.)
The fire started at approximately 1900 when a mattress ignited on an upper floor of
the residential portion. While attempting to remove the mattress it flared up in the
stairwell and got out of control. Fortunately, the first companies arrived approximately
2 minutes after dispatch and called for additional help. The District Chief, who was at
E-28 arrived approximately 5 minutes after dispatch, while the Deputy arrived approximately 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
Dept. Photographer
William Noonan
(Photos)
John Perry, MIS
(Photos)
Rear Door Where
Companies Entered
“Church” Portion
Mark O’Neil
(Photos)
Mike Flynn
(Photos)
SIDE C
Local 718
(Photos)
SIDE B
“Church” Portion
Residential
SIDE D
Location Where Fire
Vented Out Window Into
Truss Roof Area
20 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
SIDE A
HYDE PARK AVENUE
Winter 2008-2009
Timeline of Fire
19:12:18
19:12:54
19:14:13
19:15:26
19:17:43
19:19:00
Est. Time
19:19:40
19:23:00
19:24:00
19:25:30
19:26:00
19:26:30
19:27:00
19:30:00
Est. Time
19:37:00
19:40:00
19:45:00
19:45-21:45
22:25:54
Receiving Calls.
Dispatch.
E-53 (Smoke Showing).
L-16 (Working Fire).
Car 12 on scene.
Car 12 (2nd Alarm).
Fire starts to enter mansard overhang in front.
Div. 2 on scene. Car 12 goes to rear.
Div. 2 & Car 12 discuss hazard of truss roof.
Div. 2 orders 2nd Alarm to respond to
Side C Parking Lot
R-2 reports “heavy fire above ceiling
of auditorium area.”
Div. 2 orders companies out of area.
Div. 2 (3rd Alarm).
H-1 on scene.
H-1 makes sure auditorium area is evacuated.
Heavy black smoke fills auditorium
and “pulses” out of doors and roof.
TL-10 reports that front half of roof
has collapsed.
Div. 2 orders Fire Alarm to repeat order for
all companies to stay out of auditorium area.
Defensive Operations started.
Entire auditorium roof collapse into building.
Smoke starts to bank down at street level.
(FFs outside have to wear SCBA.)
Defensive Operations continued.
Car 12 returns.
(Time for trusses to fail from the time they
started to be heavily involved with fire –
approximately 10-15 minutes.)
Winter 2008-2009
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 21
Anatomy
of a
Truss
Failure
Lessons Reinforced by this Incident
1.
Notify the incident commander whenever truss construction is discovered.
2.
Truss construction should be suspected whenever large interior areas exist without walls or
columns.
3.
When a truss is suspected to be above a ceiling, use a pike pole or other tools to open up the ceiling
and check for truss construction – If there is a fire barrier in the void. use the same procedure on
the opposite side.
4.
Communicate interior conditions to the incident commander as soon as possible and provide
regular updates.
5.
Use a defensive fire-fighting strategy once burning of truss members is identified (unless someone is
trapped).
6.
Expect imminent collapse, possibly 10 minutes or less, once lightweight truss roofs or floors are
involved in a fire.
7.
If possible, avoid cutting the truss chords when cutting holes for roof ventilation. Cuts can weaken
the roof.
8.
Avoid roof areas loaded by air conditioning units, air handlers, and other heavy objects. If any of
these objects is identified by companies operating at a fire, the information should be passed on to
Incident Commander.
9.
Be aware of alternative exit routes at all times when working above or below a truss. If you have to
enter area below trusses stay near exterior wall.
10.
Consider using roof ladders or working from aerial ladders or platforms instead of walking or
standing directly on the roof.
11.
Be aware of the possibility of flashover or back draft when opening concealed spaces and take the
appropriate safety precautions. When opening ceilings or other concealed spaces, have charged
hose line(s) ready.
12.
When responding to a fire at a location remote from Command, e.g. the rear parking lot of this
building, 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 to
thick black smoke all the way to the floor. (This has happened at previous firefighter fatalities in
Boston.) This probably occurred when “flashover” occurred in trusses which created an oxygen
deficient atmosphere, greatly increasing smoke production. Members should not allow light smoke
condition 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.
22 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
What is a Truss?
A
truss 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 a
triangle or series of triangles. Some trusses are rectangular. Trusses can be built of
wood, steel, wood and steel, or aluminum. Concrete trusses are not common but do
exist, usually in very large structures. The truss framework is usually arranged in a
single plane so that loads applied at points of intersecting members will cause only
direct stress (compression or tension). Three-dimensional trusses (space frames) are
very light in weight. The design of a truss, which separates compressive and tensile
stresses, 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. The
bottom chord of a truss is under tension. A tension member acts like a rope. If the
bottom 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. Failure
of a compression member reduces the overall load-bearing capacity of the truss. An
often overlooked hazard is found where interior trusses or wooden beams extend
beyond the exterior wall to provide a balcony or a stairway landing. Fire burning inside
the building can degrade the truss or beam, resulting in collapse of the cantilevered
balcony or stairway landing. Fire fighters standing on or under the collapsing exterior
landing may be injured or killed.
Triangular trusses are the most common trusses
used in single-family dwellings.
Triangular trusses provide a peaked roof.
Bowstring trusses get their name from the curved
shape 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.”
Winter 2008-2009
Scissor trusses are common in construction with
cathedral ceilings. They are often found in churches.
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 smaller
office buildings. (Large unobstructed room spaces, such as at
Florian Hall are often indications of this truss.)
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 23
Anatomy
of a
Truss
Failure
Photos After Collapse with Explanatory Notes
Upper Beam –
Almost completely
burned away
Lower Beam –
Only Burned at the Top
Gusset Plate
“Restrained” Construction
will take a little longer to fail,
but when it does, it will
probably damage the wall.
“Unrestrained” will fail more
quickly, but may not damage the
wall. We should assume an early
collapse of the truss, as well as
the potential collapse of the wall.
24 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Gusset Plate on
Lower Beam
Dashed Lines
represent where
burned Diagonal
Members would have
connected to Upper
and Lower Beams at
Gusset Plates
The Truss Roof was not
tied tinto the walls.
It appeared to rest on
the walls. This is called
“Unrestrained”
Construction.
Because of this, the
front wall did not
“buckle.” If the roof
had been tied into the
walls, i.e. “restrained”
the front wall probably
would have “buckled”
outward.
Winter 2008-2009
FRONT OF BUILDING
The Truss Roof
collapsed into the open
area due to the 40 x 50
foot open area that had
no walls or columns.
The rear part of the structure
had lots of walls to support
roof, so trusses were not
necessary. This part did
not collapse.
This part of the roof stayed attached
to the wall somewhat. Probably because
it was the furthest area from where the
fire spread into the structure, as well as
the fact that it was more strongly
attached to the wall. This created a
void space underneath the roof.
This is the air conditioning unit, that was
located right in the center of the roof.
Winter 2008-2009
The roof was not restrained in
any way. It just rested on top of
the wall (about 2 inches deep).
That is why the roof collapse
did not buckle the walls.
This part of the roof eventually
collapsed all the way to the
floor because the fire spread
into the void space from the
adjacent 2-story building.
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 25
This portion of the truss roof was far from
where the fire entered, as well as far from
the weight of the AC unit. As a consequence,
it stayed attached to the wall.
Anatomy
of a
Truss
Failure
This picture illustrates how the safest area
under a collapse is near an exterior wall.
The void space provides the greatest
chance of survival.
Ladder 16 received a new Emergency One rear mount
ladder 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.
Engine 28 received a blessing from Chief Chaplain Father Daniel
Mahoney as their new pumper was placed in service this summer.
Also getting new pumps were Engines 10 and 39.
– Photos by Steve MacDonald
26 • BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST
Winter 2008-2009
From the collection of
Bill Noonan, FIU-K7
Winter 2008-2009
BOSTON FIREFIGHTERS DIGEST • 27
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Boston, MA
Permit No. 57398
Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF-PFFM
55 Hallet Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
On July 27, 2008, 3 alarms were struck
for 22 Trull Street in Dorchester.
– Photo by Bill Noonan, FIU K-7
A Boston Fire Rescue Diver is lowered into Boston Harbor
during a training exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Boston Fire Rescue Divers have an agreement to provide
rescue divers on short notice to the Coast Guard.
Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon.