STEUBEN ASSOCIATION NEWS>>>

 "I had the can for the day tour and this was the first run of the tour.  As we responded the dispatcher informed us there was a known EDP that lit a fire in his apartment and we were probably going to have to work.  As we proceeded south on University Ave, we could see heavy smoke out 3 windows.  We turned onto W 174th street and were met with a heavy police and EMS presence.  We exited the rig outside the complex (Sedgwick Projects) and ran approx 100 yards to the building and entered.  We entered the elevator and the fireman service malfunctioned.

We proceeded to run up the stairs to the 10th floor but were met with a heavy civilian presence evacuating the building in both stairwells.  Upon entering the 10th floor hallway we were met with a large contingent of NYPD who had the door tied off with a rope that extended to the other end of the hall.  We made our way to the door as E-43 stretched the line, I made entry and drifted to the left.  I encountered the living room with furniture turned over and in disarray including a Vespa scooter on its side that I had to climb over.  I heard someone moaning and happened to see the victim on his back.  I called for the boss Lt.Billy Prange to help me pull the victim onto my back as it would be impossible to drag the victim out of the apartment.  As I made my way back the way I had came in the fire was now coming at me over my head. 

It took me a little while longer to get out as I was hung up on the arm of the couch. Engine 43 was now putting water on the fire as I made my way to the hallway and E-42 took the victim from me.  I did not realize the victim I had was the EDP. I just did what we are trained to do. We were later informed by the NYPD that the victim has numerous knives and was threatening to harm himself and the police officers.  He had slashed up everything in his apartment and that is why the apartment door was tied off. The PD had been there for at least an hour before the fire".