Plaque honors 1907 fire heroes

Long before hydraulic pumps, diesel engines and sophisticated fire-fighting gear, three firemen displayed courage and determination in battling a raging fire on the frost-bitten evening of Wednesday, March 6, 1907.

Assistant Foreman Charles Wilson and Hosemen Stephen Presco and John Sullivan - all members of historic Engine 11 - raced to the raging fire erupting from J. Sterns and Sons, a clothing manufacturer at 823 Filbert St.

The three firemen were on a sixth-floor fire escape when the wall supporting it began to buckle. Before the men could react, the wall shattered and sent the firemen 50 feet to the ground.

Presco, 40, died the next day from his injuries, and a day later, 30-year-old Wilson died. Sullivan died on Dec. 19 that year after suffering many months from his wounds.

Yesterday, fire and city officials joined elected officials, including former City Controller Jonathan Saidel, Councilman Frank Rizzo Jr. and others at a plaque dedication ceremony honoring the three firemen on the sidewalk of what is now the high-tech Nine North Ninth office building.

"We are here to do two primary things: first and foremost, we are honoring those firefighters who lost their lives 100 years ago; this is really about a tribute to them," said managing director Loree D. Jones. "We are also here today to offer our continued support and our continued appreciation for the Fire Department."

Many spoke of the bravery of those men, paying special homage to Presco, who at the time was the only African-American in the department, and only the second black firefighter in the department's history. Isaac Jacobs was the first.

Until 1952, Engine 11, at 10th and South streets, was where African-Americans were assigned.

"Every time I think of Presco, I think of the power of one," said current firefighter Derrick Sawyer, who is a member of Club Valiants, Inc., an organization for black firefighters.

"Presco's presence made a difference. All that I am, I owe" to pioneers like Presco, he said.

"It was terrible, but we had to go through it, in order to get in," said Waldo Gentry, one of the last, original members of Engine 11, who was joined by Lloyd Ama, another original. "These are honored, hallowed men."

Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, something of a Fire Department historian, shared what duty must have been like 100 years ago for these three firemen.

"Back in that time, much of the technology we have today was not available, like the fire code and the way we fight fires," he said. He noted that aerial ladders, breathing apparatus, and engine-drawn water pumps were lacking then.

"That's the type of diligence and excellence that it takes, not just from a Stephen Presco, but from everybody," Ayers said. "Good courage and conduct leads to honor." *