Belleville Fire Department

(pictured from left to right) 200 Club Executive Committee Member Ira Cohen, 2006 Valor Award Recipient Captain Walter Beresford and Chief Robert Caruso.

Captain Walter Beresford
Belleville Fire Department

On Thursday, April 13, 2006, off-duty Belleville Fire Captain Walter Beresford was helping his friend Ken Finnikin who resides on Hillside Ave. in Irvington. He was in the back yard when he heard a muffled explosion and noticed smoke and fire coming out of a second floor window of a nearby house on Chapman Street. Before he ran to the fire to offer assistance, Capt. Beresford told Mr. Finnikin to call 911.

Capt. Beresford located the house and found that the front door was locked. With the assistance of a passing cab driver, Mr. Rosemond Louilus, both he and Capt. Beresford forced entry. Capt. Beresford told Mr. Louilus to stay at the front door and wave down the first responding fire company, while he made a quick sweep of the first floor. He then advanced to the second floor where the fire was coming from.

As Capt. Beresford made the turn on the stairway, he encountered a wall of heavy smoke and heat causing him to drop to his stomach and crawl down the hallway. He made several attempts to advance further to conduct a search, but each time he was forced back. Capt. Beresford called out to locate any possible victims, and he suddenly heard a faint voice crying, “Please don’t leave me.” Capt. Beresford assured the victim he was there to help.

He took a gulp of fresh air and moved in underneath the flames that were rolling over the victim and took hold of Ms Frances Greene’s hand. Capt. Beresford then cradled her head and turned his body to shield her as he dragged her across the floor. As he brought Ms Greene to the stairwell landing, Mr. Louilus came to assist. Capt Beresford proceeded to carry Ms Greene out the door and then they both collapsed onto the porch.

While waiting for EMS to arrive, Capt Beresford stayed with Ms Greene until she was transported to St. Barnabas Medical Center for smoke inhalation and second-degree burns. Capt Beresford was sent to the Burn Unit at St. Barnabas for treatment of second-degree burns he received to his right hand and forearm while engaged in the rescue of Ms Greene. It was later learned that Ms. Greene suffered from various medical problems that limited her walking abilities, and she would not have been able to exit the fire building on her own.

Without any protective gear or a charged hoseline, and with total disregard of his own safety, Capt Walter Beresford acted in the highest traditions of the fire service and risked hi life to save the life of another, whom would have certainly perished without his heroic actions.

The 200 Club of Essex County proudly presented its Valor Award to Captain Walter Beresford.

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