Feb. 15—WILKES-BARRE — One year after a “high-risk” fire ripped through the B’nai B’rith Apartments on East Northampton Street, the city’s emergency first responders were honored for their professionalism and bravery.
“You are all heroes,” said Mayor George Brown. “You risk your lives to save others. We are all proud of what you all do every day.”
Mayor Brown and Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney co-hosted a pinning ceremony Friday in the community room at B’nai B’rith Apartments, 61 E. Northampton St., to honor 10 firefighter/EMTs and two paramedics who initially responded to the complex and high-risk fire at the 151-unit, 12-story high rise on Feb. 15, 2024.
“Today is a special day for the Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department,” Chief Delaney said. “Tomorrow will be the one-year anniversary of the tragic, yet heroic, emergency response event.”
Chief Delaney then detailed the events of one year ago:
—The call came in at 6:16 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2024.
—On the first and second alarms, the WBFD responded with eight pieces of equipment and 10 firefighter/EMTs and 2 paramedics.
—A third alarm was struck shortly after, and three additional fire departments were dispatched — Kingston/Forty Fort, Hanover Township and Plains Township; 13 additional medic units were also dispatched — Plains Township, Hanover Township, Nanticoke, Greater Pittston, Back Mountain Regional, Geisinger EMS, TransMed and Pennsylvania Ambulance.
—19 injured residents were transported to area hospitals.
“This became a complex, high-risk and labor-intensive fire/rescue/EMS event to manage due to the occupancy load and the demographics of the residents,” Chief Delaney said.
The Chief said as residents were rescued and moved from upper floors, they were displaced into the cold weather conditions outside — 32 degrees with wind and light snow.
Chief Delaney said a temporary shelter was set up by the WBFD across East Northampton Street at Allied Services Center City Skilled Nursing Facility.
Unit Citation
Chief Delaney announced that the group being honored on Friday each received a Commendation Badge and a Unit Citation.
“This honors the bravery, skills, professionalism and management of all firefighter/EMTs and paramedics that responded to the initial fire alarm,” Chief Delaney said.
Those honored Friday were:
—Deputy Fire Chief Alan Klapat — organized Command Post’ assisted sheltering operation.
—Firefighter/EMT Tom Heffers — drove fire engine; assisted in evacuation of residents.
—Paramedic Brandon Grohowski — first on scene; triaged patients.
—Paramedic Michael Gillott — assisted with patients.
—Firefighter/EMT George Leibman — set up aerial ladder; rescued a resident.
—Firefighter/EMT James Starosta — set up aerial ladder; rescued a resident.
—Firefighter/EMT Frank Meehan — covered rear of the building; assisted with rescue.
—Firefighter/EMT Candice Hartman — went to floor where fire was; assisted with evacuations.
—Firefighter/EMT Ed Smith — stretched a hoseline to fire origin; extinguished fire.
—Captain Rich Machey — conducted search on floor where fire was; found unresponsive victim and removed person from building.
—Firefighter/EMT Ralph Graham — assisted Machey and continued building search.
—Captain Eric Anderson — assisted Machey and continued building search.
—Firefighter (retired) Edward Snarski — asssited with evacuation.
—Firefighter (retired) David Roberts — assisted with evacuation.
The fire was ruled accidental and caused by a “careless smoking incident,” Chief Jay Delaney last year.
Approximately 40 residents attended Friday’s ceremony, and they gave the honorees a standing ovation when it was over.
Chief Delaney also thanked Wilkes-Barre City Police Chief Joseph Coffay and members of the department for their assistance during the fire emergency, as well as Hank Radulski, the city’s health director, and B’nai B’rith Apartments Property Manager Kerry Palmiero and her staff.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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