At the age of twenty-three, Thomas F. Barrett joined the New York Fire Department and one year later had a part in one of its most dramatic rescues.
On April 7, 1884, Firemen, Thomas F. Barrett, John Binns (Findagrave Memorial #119432931) and Michael E. C. Graham, all of Hook & of Ladder Company 3, made the first rescue using the scaling or "pompier" ladders. While known to be the first time they were used by the FDNY, it is believed that it was also the first time they were ever used to make a rescue at any fire.
The fire occurred in the St. George Flats at 225 East Seventeenth Street; described by the New York Times as a "pretentious apartment house." The alarm was sounded by the building's sixteen-year-old elevator boy, Louis Castaing, who became trapped by the flames on the top (seventh) floor after evacuating all of the occupants. The crowd was in awe of the dramatic use of the new devices. The firefighters all received commendations for this historic rescue. (Binns went on to become a Deputy Chief. Graham rose to Battalion Chief and died in the line-of-duty on February 15, 1909.)
Chief Barrett's first promotion came in 1889 to the rank of Lieutenant, then to Captain and finally to Battalion Chief in 1903. In all, he was cited four times for acts of bravery.
Mr. Barrett died after being admitted to Union Hospital in the Bronx with mastoiditis.
Thanks to Gary Urbanowicz for this information.
On April 7, 1884, Firemen, Thomas F. Barrett, John Binns (Findagrave Memorial #119432931) and Michael E. C. Graham, all of Hook & of Ladder Company 3, made the first rescue using the scaling or "pompier" ladders. While known to be the first time they were used by the FDNY, it is believed that it was also the first time they were ever used to make a rescue at any fire.
The fire occurred in the St. George Flats at 225 East Seventeenth Street; described by the New York Times as a "pretentious apartment house." The alarm was sounded by the building's sixteen-year-old elevator boy, Louis Castaing, who became trapped by the flames on the top (seventh) floor after evacuating all of the occupants. The crowd was in awe of the dramatic use of the new devices. The firefighters all received commendations for this historic rescue. (Binns went on to become a Deputy Chief. Graham rose to Battalion Chief and died in the line-of-duty on February 15, 1909.)
Chief Barrett's first promotion came in 1889 to the rank of Lieutenant, then to Captain and finally to Battalion Chief in 1903. In all, he was cited four times for acts of bravery.
Mr. Barrett died after being admitted to Union Hospital in the Bronx with mastoiditis.
Thanks to Gary Urbanowicz for this information.
At the age of twenty-three, Thomas F. Barrett joined the New York Fire Department and one year later had a part in one of its most dramatic rescues.
On April 7, 1884, Firemen, Thomas F. Barrett, John Binns (Findagrave Memorial #119432931) and Michael E. C. Graham, all of Hook & of Ladder Company 3, made the first rescue using the scaling or "pompier" ladders. While known to be the first time they were used by the FDNY, it is believed that it was also the first time they were ever used to make a rescue at any fire.
The fire occurred in the St. George Flats at 225 East Seventeenth Street; described by the New York Times as a "pretentious apartment house." The alarm was sounded by the building's sixteen-year-old elevator boy, Louis Castaing, who became trapped by the flames on the top (seventh) floor after evacuating all of the occupants. The crowd was in awe of the dramatic use of the new devices. The firefighters all received commendations for this historic rescue. (Binns went on to become a Deputy Chief. Graham rose to Battalion Chief and died in the line-of-duty on February 15, 1909.)
Chief Barrett's first promotion came in 1889 to the rank of Lieutenant, then to Captain and finally to Battalion Chief in 1903. In all, he was cited four times for acts of bravery.
Mr. Barrett died after being admitted to Union Hospital in the Bronx with mastoiditis.
Thanks to Gary Urbanowicz for this information.
On April 7, 1884, Firemen, Thomas F. Barrett, John Binns (Findagrave Memorial #119432931) and Michael E. C. Graham, all of Hook & of Ladder Company 3, made the first rescue using the scaling or "pompier" ladders. While known to be the first time they were used by the FDNY, it is believed that it was also the first time they were ever used to make a rescue at any fire.
The fire occurred in the St. George Flats at 225 East Seventeenth Street; described by the New York Times as a "pretentious apartment house." The alarm was sounded by the building's sixteen-year-old elevator boy, Louis Castaing, who became trapped by the flames on the top (seventh) floor after evacuating all of the occupants. The crowd was in awe of the dramatic use of the new devices. The firefighters all received commendations for this historic rescue. (Binns went on to become a Deputy Chief. Graham rose to Battalion Chief and died in the line-of-duty on February 15, 1909.)
Chief Barrett's first promotion came in 1889 to the rank of Lieutenant, then to Captain and finally to Battalion Chief in 1903. In all, he was cited four times for acts of bravery.
Mr. Barrett died after being admitted to Union Hospital in the Bronx with mastoiditis.
Thanks to Gary Urbanowicz for this information.
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