NFPA Approved 

The "Capt. Jim" Fire Hood

GSSI is offering to its customers an inherently flame resistant Fire Hood, named in honor of FDNY Captain James J. O'Donoghue. Captain O'Donoghue (known as "Capt. Jim") faithfully served the citizens of New York City for 34 years. What follows is a testimonial from his son, Kevin.

"Jim O'Donoghue was born in Cork City, Ireland and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 3. He and his family lived on East 97 Street in Manhattan until his marriage to Rita Hobbins following his return from WWII. During the war, Jim bravely served his country as a member of the 34th Infantry Division. He and his fellow soldiers saw action in both North Africa and Italy. It was in Italy, at Monte Cassino, that the war took a bad turn for Jim. While on patrol, he and others in his division were captured during a sudden strike by German infantry. They were marched across Europe to northern Poland where they were held as POWs in a Stalag for the next 18 months.

Living as POWs was tougher than most can comprehend, with almost daily threats of being shot or beaten. These men relied heavily on each other and prayed for strength. Fortunately, their prayers were answered in the Spring of 1945 when the Irish Guards liberated the camp.

Following the war, Jim returned home, married and joined the FDNY. His first assignment was to Engine Company 17 on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where he served as a firefighter for 10 years. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Ladder 11, also on the Lower East Side. During that time, in the 1960s and 1970s, that area had one of the highest incidents of fire-related emergencies in New York City. This posed a challenge to the firefighters of Ladder 11, yet Jim and his team remained dedicated and rose to the occasion each and every time.

Jim was later promoted to Captain (hence the name "Capt. Jim") and assigned to command Engine 28, which shared a firehouse with Ladder 11. While Captain of Engine 28, Jim was awarded a Class III award for a heroic rescue he performed, where he saved the lives of 2 small children from a tenement fire. He and his company were awarded numerous commendations and became known as one of the outstanding fire units in the FDNY. In addition to Engine 28, Jim also served as Captain of both Tower Ladder 41 in the Bronx and Engine 70 on City Island in the Bronx. In total, Captain Jim O'Donoghue devoted 34 years to the FDNY, during which time the volume of fire calls received in New York City reached all time records.

Capt. Jim was a dedicated husband, father and firefighter who cared deeply for his men and kept their safety at the forefront of his mind. He never had the opportunity to use a fire hood or even had one available back then, but if he had, I'm sure he would have chosen this one and would have agreed that there was no excuse not to offer his "troops" the best protection available.

I too served as a firefighter and was fortunate to be able to follow in my father's footsteps. My career in the FDNY was a lesson in life-- a lesson that firefighters everywhere will give their all in an attempt to save others. They don't get paid much, and they don't ask for much. They only ask that the equipment they need to help save lives keep them as safe as possible. This product does just that and gives a firefighter a much higher level of protection.

In recognition of the distinguished career of my father and in honor of firefighters everywhere, whom we hold so high, we are proud that Global Safety Labs has named this product the Capt. Jim Fire Hood!"

Kevin F. O'Donoghue

Batt. Chief Batt. 12 FDNY, Retired