The widow of FDNY Captain John Drennen, Vina Drennan shares very candid insight into her husband, Captain John Drennan, and his Line of Duty death, 29 years ago today.
Firefighter James Young, 31, was burned and died at the scene. Firefighter Christopher J. Seidenburg, 25, died the next day. Captain Drennan lived for 40 horrific days.
In this 16 minute clip, Vina shares facts about the fire, the suffering of her husband in the burn unit, and his torturous, eventual death. He lived 40 days in the burn unit, made it through 11 surgeries but he was eventually lost. There should be no Firefighter that hasn’t or doesn’t see this clip.
“When someone is terribly burned, you do not know what to hope for.”
“I thought his death was merciful”
Vina talks about how after the loss of her beloved hero husband, how she became a lifelong advocate as a result, sharing her story so that others can understand how she turned tragedy into advocacy. You will hear from her the impact of the Watts Street Fire on New York City and beyond. Vina tells it like it is, and her passion shines through for the cause of fire sprinklers. Exploring the impact that Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs) have on the fire service, the impact that a LODD has on the family and the impact on all involved is a central theme.
Her work with Common Voices, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, IAFC, IAFF, NFPA, CFSI and most other national fire service organizations is well known-but now she speaks to us all in a very brief but brutal, to the point message on this 29th anniversary of that fire-and the loss of her husband.
WATCH THE CLIP FROM VINA DRENNEN:
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