FDNY

Investigative Report
Fatal Fire at
4400 Glenwood Road, Brooklyn
February 5, 1996
Firefighter Louis Valentino
Rescue 2
Case Number 2-8/96
SUMMARY
On February 5
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1996 at 3:37 PM the New York City Fire
Department
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Brooklyn Borough Communications Office
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received a telephone alarm of fire. The caller reported
smoke from the roof of 4400 Glenwood Road.
Units of The New York City Fire Department were
dispatched. The officer of the first engine company to
arrive ( Engine 310 ) transmitted a signal 10-75
( notificatIon of a fire )J via the department radio.
Smoke was issuing from a one story commercial building
located behind a large gymnasium building at 4400 Glenwood
Road.
Fire Department operations were initiated.
Engine companies stretched hose lines into the fire
building via the doors. Ladder companies forced the doors
open and entered the building to search for victims and
assist the engine companies. Rescue Company 2 entered the
fire building to search for victims who may have been
trapped inside.
Conditions had improved considerably. SuddenlYJ with no
warning
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the right side portion of the roof collapsed to
ground level. Fire fighters were struck and injured by the
falling roof. A roll call was conducted to account for all
members. A Search For trapped or injured members was
initiated. Fire Fighter Louis Valentino was discovered
lying on his back. A roof beam was resting on his chest.
His removal required an organized rescue effort utilizing
cutting and extrication tools and equipment. He was
extricated in a timely manner. First aid was rendered
immediately by fire fighters and New York City emergency
medical service personnel. Fire Fighter Valentino was
transported to Kings County Hospital Where he expired on
February 5
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1996 ..
1
1541 Hrs.
1541:03 Engines Battalion 33 and Rescue 2 are
dispatched in response to the 10-75.
1541:15 Ladder 157 arrives at scene.
1541:19 Dispatcher receives a telepnone alarm for Glenwood
Road and Troy Avenue reporting a fire in an office
building. Dispatcher determines it is for the same fire.
1541:26 Dispatcher receives a a telephone alarm for a fire
in a health spa. Box 3940 is designated due to the
location from which the alarm originated. The dispatcher
determines it was for the same fire.
1541:30 Engine 310 starts to stretch a 2 1/2
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hose line to
the fire building and moves apparatus to hydrant in front
of the health club and to it.
The officer of Ladder 157 contacts the officer of Engine
310 to determine the location of the fire,and along with
the forcible entry team walks up the driveway to the fire
building.
1541:35 Dispatcher receives a telephone alarm reporting a
fire in a factory. Box 3940 is designated and dispatcher
determines it is for the same fire.
1541:54 Division 7 is assigned.
1542 Hrs.
1542 Engine 255 arrives at the driveway and assists Engine
310 stretch their hose line.
The chauffeur of Ladder 157 positions the apparatus (tower
ladder) on Glenwood Road. The outside vent man walks to
Troy Ave. to search for access to the roof of exposure 3
( the health club ).
The roof man stays with the apparatus and along with the
chauffeur raises tower ladder basket to the roof of
exposure 3.
31
1543 Hrs.
1543:08 Ladder 174 arrives and transmits a 10-84 signal.
1543:26 Battalion 41 arrives and transmits a 10-84
signaI.(Signal 10-84 is an announcement of arrival at the
scene.)
1543:28 Battalion 41 announces he is using all hands and
gives a size up of the building and conditions over the
department radio.
1543:30 The officer of Ladder 157 meets the officer of
Engine 310 at the fire building. He observes heavy smoke
and some fire through a small entrance door which is
located between 2 large roll down doors. This door is
open. The roll down doors are down and pad locked. He
observes sparks in the area of the large roll down door to
the right of the small entrance door and decides against
cutting it open. Ladder 157 forcible entry team start to
enter through the small door but back out. Officers of
Engine 310 and Ladder 157 decide to proceed with caution
after water is put onto the fire.
1543:45 Officer of Ladder 157 notifies Battalion 41 that
fire is in a set back of the health club and both discuss
tactics. Ladder 157 starts to force the smaller roll down
door located to the left of the small door.
1543:46 Dispatcher transmits signal 10-75. .
1543:50 Chief of Battalion 41 has walked up the driveway
and reaches the fire building. Engine 310 is at the small
entrance door with a charged line. Chief tells officer of .
Engine 310 to operate from the doorway and not push in.
1543:58 Ladder 159 is dispatched.
1544 Hrs.
Ladder 174 forcible entry team arrives at the fire
building. Battalion 41 Chief aSSigns Ladder 174 the task
of forcing open the large roll down doors.
Engine 310 operates line into the small doorway.
Engine 255 starts to stretch the second 2 1/2" hose line.
1544:48 Battalion 41 transmits description of conditions
to dispatcher via radio.
1546:37 Battalion 41 transmits a request for a second
alarm assignment to the dispatcher via department radio.
1546:54 Dispatcher transmits a second alarm.
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1547 Hrs.
1547:03 Battalion 41 transmits progress report to
dispatcher.
1547:25 Engines 323
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281J 249
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283
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284
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Ladders 147, 113
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Battalion 58 and Safety Battalion 2 are dispatched.
1547:31 Engine 309 arrives at the scene and transmits
signal 10-84.
1548 Hrs.
Engine 255 reaches fire building with line.
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1548:30 Engine 309 starts to stretch a third 2 1/2 hose
line as ordered by Battalion 41.
1549 Hrs.
Engine 255 gets water in line and starts to extinguish
fire through the left doorway which has been cut open .
. 1550 Hrs.
1550:24 Ladder 113 acknowledges it is designated the Fire
Fighter Assist and Search Team (F.A.S.T.) by dispatcher.
(Designated to stand by ready to assist firefighters in
distress as the need arises).
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1551 Hrs.
1551:21 Division 7 requests a run down (list of units
assigned on the second alarm).
1551:38 Tactical Support unit arrives and transmits a
signal 10-84.
1551:56 Rescue Company 2 arrives and transmits a 10-84 ..
1552 Hrs.
1552:30 Engine 309 reaches the fire building with their
hose line.
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1553 Hrs.
Division 7 arrives and contacts Battalion 41 via handie
talkie and tells him he is at the box location.
Engine Company 248 arrives.
Ladder 159 arrives and is directed to set up the tower
ladder on Troy Avenue.
1553:39 Engine 283 arrives
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transmits signal 10-84
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reports in to command post and stands fast.
1554 Hrs.
Battalion 41 directs Rescue Company 2 to check the
conditions of the fire building and exposure number 4.
( The building to the right of the fire building. )
Rescue 2 Officer directs the 2 members of their above the
fire team
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including Firefighter Valentino
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to examine
conditions of exposure 4. Rescue 2 Officer along with
remaining members enters the fire building to search and
clear a path for engine company to advance.
Engine Company 248 starts to stretch a 2 1/2" hose line.
Battalion 58 arrives and transmits signal 10-84.
Battalion 58 was designated the communications coordinator
by the dispatcher.
1554:06 Division 7 requests any available C.I.D.S
information from the dispatcher. ( C.I.D.S. is the
abbreviation for Critical Information Dispatch System
which stores in it's computer critical information about
specific buildings. Investigation revealed non existed.)
1555 Hrs.
Firefighter Valentino enters exposure 4. ( Health club ).
Engine Company 248 is stretching their hose line through
the health club door located on Glenwood Road and out a
back door to the fire building.
1555:09 Battalion 33 arrives transmits signal 10-84 and
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reports to Battalion 41 in front of the fire building.
Battalion 41 orders him to direct operations in the
exposure 4 ( right side) portion of the fire building.
1555:58 Engine Company 281 arrives and transmits signal
10-84. They assist Engine Company 248 stretch their hose
line.
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1556: Hrs.
Engine 310 moves their hose line from the small doorway to
the right doorway and advances approximately 10 feet into
the building to extinguish fire.
1556:09 Ladder 147 arrives and transmits signal 10-84.
Chauffeur raises aerial to the roof of exposure 4.
Remainder of company stands fast at the command post.
1556:42 Division 7 requests an additional tower ladder.
1557: Hrs.
Engine Company 323 arrives.Battalion 58 directs them to
stand fast.
Firefighter Valentino returns from the health dons
his mask and enters the fire building behind Engine 310.
1557:30 Battalion 41 Chief enters the fire building
through the left doorway to evaluate conditions.
1557:29 Ladder Company 120 is assigned.
1557:52 Ladder Company 113 transmits signal
10-84
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and stands fast as the Firefighter Assist and Search
Team.
1558:Hrs.
Engine Company 249 arrives and is directed by Battalion 58
to stand fast at command post .
. Engine 248 connects their hose line to Engine 310's
pumper
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receives water and advances into the fire building
through the doorway.
1600:Hrs.
The fire is largely extinguished with the remaInIng fire
confined to the ceiling and the 11 vehicles contained
within the building. Engine 255 enters the fire building
through the left doorway to extinguish remaining pockets
of fire. Battalion 41 Chief tells them to use a light
spray to prevent dislodging anything.
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1601:Hrs.
Engine 309 is operating their line into building from the
left doorway toward the left ( exposure 2 ) wall.
Engine 255 briefly operates line to extinguish fire in the
ceiling toward the right ( exposure 4 ) side approximately
10 feet from the doorway.
1601:05 Engine 310 operates their line toward the front in
thp middle of the ceiling from approximately 10 feet
inside the fire building.
1601:10 Engine 248 has advanced their line approximately
20 feet into the fire building the right doorway.
They open the nozzle to extinguish fIre in a burning
vehicle directing the stream toward the front of the
building.
1601:18 Engine 310 shuts down their nozzle.
1601:20 The roof of the fire collapses.
1601:25 The first of several MAY DAY S are transmitted via
handie talkies. Firefighters in-side the building are
struck by falling roof and masonry material. Some are
injured. Most are disoriented. Some find their way out
Others require assistance which is provided by
firefighters in the immediate vicinity.
Battalion 58 assigns Ladder 113 and Ladder 147 to assist.
Engine 249 is directed to back up Engine 310.
1602:Hrs.
Engine 281 operates Engine 255's hose line to prevent fire
from reaching possible trapped firefighters. . .
Division 7 calls Battalion 58 to the fire building. He
informs him of the collapse and directs him to conduct a
roll call. He instructs Battalion 33 to coordinate the
extricotion of tropped members.
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1603:Hrs
First roll call is conducted by Battalion 58.
All units report all members accounted for with the
exception of one member of Rescue 2.
Ladder 159 joins rescue effort and brings tools to scene.
1603:30 Firefighter Louis Valentino is discovered face up
approximately 15 feet from the right side doorway midway
between the left and right walls.
A wooden roof beam is resting on his chest.
The beam is still fastened to the roof which is largely
intact at this location.
Firefighters first to assist try to lift the beam and
attached roofing material manually. Their efforts fail.
1604 Hrs.
Battalion 58 assists in organizin9 the rescue effort.
Organized extrication efforts begln.
It becomes obvious that much cutting and mechanical
lifting of the roof will be required.
Rescue 2, Ladder 113 and Ladder 147 work together to
stabilize, cut and lift the beam and roof from Firefighter
Valentino. Saws, air bags, hand tools and blocking
material were brought to the scene and utilized.
1605 Hrs.
1605:30 The Chauffeur of Engine 255 contacts Fire
Deportment Dispatcher via radio, requests E.M.S. and
reports a collapse and injured members.
1605:49 The Chauffeur of Engine 255 contacts Dispatcher
and reports Engine 255 is not effected. Chief of Battalion
41 and members of Ladder 157 and operating units were
under collapse. We are trying to pull them out now.
1606 Hrs.
1606:30 battalion 58 conducts a second roll call. The
results duplicate the original.
1606:34 Engine 284 arrives and transmits signal 10-84.
They walk to the fire building, find many units already
there and return to street where they clear street for
E.M.S. vehicles.
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1607 Hrs.
1607:09 Rescue 4 is assigned.
1607:43 Safety Battalion 2 arrives and transmits signal
10-84
1608 Hrs.
Safety Battalion Chief evaluates conditions, the ongoing
extrication effort and fire fighting operation. He orders
a complete face to face roll call. All members not
participating are directed to leave the immediate area.
Operations are closely monitored.
1609 Hrs.
1609:13 Battalion 58 contacts dispatcher and requests a
third alarm, the collapse unit and E.M.S.
1609:21 Fire Department Dispatcher transmits a third
alarm.
1610 Hrs.
1610:21 car 10 D notifies dispatcher he is responding to
the third alarm.
1610:37 Ladder 120 arrives and transmits a signal 10-84
1611 Hrs.
1611:21 Rescue 4 notifies dispatcher they are responding
to the third alarm.
1614 Hrs.
1614:41 Division 7 contacts dispatcher and reports still
trying to extricate one member and asks for a mixer off
message. Division 7 reports to dispatcher all members have
been accounted for except for one member from Rescue 2 who
is still trapped. .
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1615 Hrs.
Firefighter Valentino is extricated and first aid is
administered. First aid is continued as he is placed into
a Stokes basket and carried to the ambulance waiting in
the street.
1615:30 Division 7 contacts dispatcher and reports they
have their hands on him so it looks like they are going to
get him.
1618 Hrs.
Firefighter Valentino is placed into the ambulance and
transported to hospital.
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CAUSES
DIRECT
Firefighter Valentino was operating in a hazardous
position inside the fire building.
Autopsy report lists cause of death as compression of
chest.
Failure of the columns and roof structure of the fire
building caused a wood roof joist to fall onto the chest
of Firefighter Valentino.
INDIRECT
Delayed transmission of alarm.
Gasoline leaked from a severed fuel line.
Acetylene leaked from a failed tank.
Leaking gasoline and acetylene gas fed the fire causing
unusually high temperatures to be reached.
The heat caused the failure of the columns which supported
the roof structure.
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EARLY
The fire building was an illegal structure that did not
meet the requirements of building or fire department rules
and regulations.
The owner of the building foiled to comply with rules and
regulations applicable to the building.
The buildings occupants engaged in illegal and unregulated
hazardous activities.
Agencies having jurisdiction foiled to detect
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inspect and
enforce rules and regulations applicable to the building
and occupancy.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Establish an inspection program to seek out buildings
for which there are no records.
All agencies with jurisdiction to be immediately notified
for proper corrective action.
As they are detected, Qualifying buildings shall be the
subject of priority C.I.D.S. reports identifying and
describing them.
Where access can not be obtained the C.I.D.S. card sholl
state. UConstruction, occupancy and contents unknown
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,
It is probable that many of these buildings will be in
locations not readily seen. A list of all designated
buildings should be made available to responding units
for advance knowledge and familiarization.
Drills specific to the building to. familiarize and
emphasize proper tactics and procedures should be
conducted as soon after detection as possible.
During the course of Apparatus Field Inspection Duty
emphasis should be placed on detecting Questionable
construction methods and/or building materiols.
As they are discovered, specially trained inspectors
should perform a follow up inspection and the appropriate
action taken.
Tactics and procedures specifically tailored to such
buildings should be incorporated into the fire fighting
manuals.
Fire fighting manuals should place more emphasis on the
fact that roof ventilation is not always necessary.
Whenever roof operations are not required, all personal
should be notified. Members assigned roof positions should
be utilized for other tasks. If roof operations are
suspended because the structural stability of a roof is in
doubt, operations on and beneath should cease and all
members withdrawn and accounted for immediatly.
In situations where tower ladders or deck pipes can not be
positioned for use of their large caliber streams
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greater
consideration should be given to the use of porta Ie large
caliber streams in place of hand operated hose lines.
Their early use in appropriate situations would reduce the
number of members operating in hazardous locations.
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An advanced fire in any building must be treated with
extreme caution. An advanced fire in a building of
undetermined construction and/or occupancy presents on
even greater hazard.Unless there is reason to believe
there are occupants withinJ entry into or onto such
buildings should not be the standard operating procedure.
Only after a thorough and deliberate evaluation is
conducted should entry be made and then only by the
minimum number of personnel required.
Tactics and procedures manuals should be revisited.
An attempt should be made to identify specific conditions
in specific buildings and/or occupancies which mandate
withdrawal of personnel pending a period of observation
and evaluation. Before recommitting personnel
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specified
units with predetermined tasks must be designated.
During this organized deliberate stage of the
operation
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dedlcated direct communication with all
committed members must be established and verified.
All other personnel must be instructed to refrain from
transmitting Handie Talkie messages except in emergencies.
The exact location and actions of all personnel should be
monitored and strictly controlled by the incident
commander.
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A F.A,S.T. unit must be in equipped and aware of
the committed units location and assignments ot all times.
Members not actively should be removed to a
. specific
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dedicated locatlon.
To ensure compliance
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a chief officer should be assigned
the task of monitoring the location and actions of all
unassigned personnel.
The time required to conduct a roll call would be reduced.
Rescue efforts could be rapidly directed to the specific
personnel in distress.
Constant training
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drilling and enforcement of this
principle as a standard procedure would reduce if not
prevent the tendency to advance into and 5tay in
potentially hazardous locations after assignments are
completer.
Assign earlier response of the safety operating battalions
to fires or emergencies in buildings containing unusual
hazards or collapse potential.
Such buildings can be easily identified from C.l.D.S.
files or other sources.
The timely arrival of a specially trained chief officer
whose primary concern and function is the safety of
operating members and who can devote his fUll attention to
this task
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will provide invaluable assistance and
expertise to the inCident commander.
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The incident commander and all other members arrive on the
scene with a mind-set directed toward aggressively
searching for occupants and fighting the fire as rapidly
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They have many factors to consider in a rapidly developing
situation in an unfamiliar location.
All too often fire fighting and safety are not considered
simultaneously.
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Early input from the safety chief before personnel are
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hazards can prevent future tragedies.
Establish a training program dedicated to the collapse
potential of structures with particular emphasis placed on
commercial buildings. It should be a high impact
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graphic
demonstration. Slides and video tapes illustrating actual
collapsed structures coupled with examples of existing
shoddy construction methods and materials should be
emphasized. They should highlight the weakened state of
buildings after they have been exposed to fire conditions.
Special emphasis should be placed on the effects fire
fighting and overhauling can have on the stability of the
various structural members of a building.
The goal should be to prevent the complacency and false
sense of security that often develops as fire fighting
operations in structures of this type become routine.
At the training center erect a demonstration building
constructed of building
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components that have been
previously exposed to fire conditions. As an
sagging burned through beams or cracked masonry.
If artificially it can be made to appear
realistic and as though an actual fire had taken place.
Conduct familiarization and fire fighting training
sessions within.
Use artificial smoke and the absence of to
demonstrate how extremely hazar,jous conditIons can be
impossible to detect until the area is adequately
ventilated and illuminated.
Provide illumination of and signs pOinting to the fire
weakened structural" unstable support points.
Describe the effects hose streams and overhauling
practices might have on each of them.
Incorporate displays and photographs that illustrate the
interdependence of various building components and how the
failure of one can effect others and ultimately the entire
structure.
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If a site or funds for construction of a demonstration
building are not immediatly available
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incorporating such
structural elements into an existing building and using
them in conjunction with displays and photographs would be
a good beginning.
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