Montclair Fire Department

((pictured from left to right) 200 Club Executive Committee Member Ira Cohen, 2006 Valor Award Recipients Firefighter Leonard Pasqualicchio, Firefighter Brian Wilde and Chief Kevin K. Allen

Firefighter Leonard Pasqualicchio and Firefighter Brian Wilde
Montclair Fire Department

On September 11, 2006 at 16:09 hours, the Montclair Fire Department was dispatched to a reported fire with trapped occupants at 138 Walnut St., a 3 story occupied multiple family dwelling. Heavy smoke was venting from the third floor windows as the first due ladder and engine companies arrived. Acting Lieutenant, Leonard Pasqualicchio and Firefighter Brian Wilde of Truck 1 quickly made their way to the fire floor as the Truck was positioned for aerial operations. As Pasqualicchio and Wilde reached the third floor landing, they were met with a quickly deteriorating situation as the visibility in the hallway became zero.

Sensing the urgency of the situation, and without the protection of a hoseline, they started a primary search for the reported victims. The heat was increasing as they entered the fire apartment. The kitchen was directly in front of them as they entered, and it was well involved in fire. The firefighters crawled past the free burning kitchen and down a narrow hallway to the right. Pasqualicchio quickly located an elderly female victim in a bathroom. Pasquallicchio grabbed her and shielded her with his body and then dragged her past he burning kitchen, out of the apartment and down the smoky hallway as Wilde continued his primary search for other possible victims. No other victims were found, and Wilde then exited the apartment to help Pasqualicchio.

At the stair landing other firefighters helped carry the victim, Mrs. Thelma Ward down the stairwell and outside the building. During the whole time, Pasqualicchio stayed with the fire victim, checking her breathing and pulse. He placed his own SCBA facepiece on Mrs. Ward until the EMS workers arrived to assist him.

Mrs. Ward was transported to Mountainside Hospital with smoke inhalation and thermal injuries and she spent the next few weeks recovering. Firefighters Pasqualicchio and Wilde displayed extreme courage and valor while performing this rescue without the protection of a hoseline and under extremely challenging and dangerous conditions.

The 200 Club of Essex County proudly presented Valor Awards to Firefighter Leonard Pasqualicchio and Firefighter Brian Wilde

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