Posts Tagged Chicago Fire Department LODD Lieutenant Kevin Ward

Chicago Fire Department news

Excerpts from Fox32chicago.com:

The men and women of the Chicago Fire Department remember the fallen each year on Memorial Day. 

The 89th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Mass began with a march to the Church of the Holy Family in Little Italy. The fire department’s pipe and drum corps set the tone, as uniformed members walked to church, entering under the American flag, held by fire truck ladders.

Two firefighters who died in the line of duty in the last year were honored: 59-year-old Lt. Kevin Ward and 39-year-old Andrew Price. Two other firefighters died in the line of duty last April. Four deaths and four funerals in one year. One of the most tragic for the department.

They also honored eight active members and 125 retirees who passed.

Fire Commissioner Annette Nance Holt said the department’s ceremonial practices are meant to display duty, to let families know that their lost loved ones are never forgotten.

Some firefighters are also veterans, and their service to the city and country was highlighted this Memorial Day.

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Chicago Fire Department LODD Lieutenant Kevin Ward (more)

Excerpts from fox32chicago.com:

Chicago FD Lt. Kevin Ward was remembered Wednesday by his colleagues and family during a funeral ceremony that took place in the heart of Chicago, shutting down Michigan Avenue for several hours and giving the public a chance to share in the sorrow and take a beat to honor the respect and sacrifice of someone who died fighting a fire for the city.

Ward died after battling a house fire on the Northwest Side. He had been hospitalized for 17 days and was unable to breathe on his own. He died on Aug. 28th at 58 years old.

He was celebrated Wednesday for his many specialized careers and hobbies. He was a devoted public servant for 26 years. 

There was a walking procession on Michigan Avenue Wednesday morning. The Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps led and fire engines followed. One of them was draped in purple and black bunting and carried the casket. Ward’s gear was positioned on the front of that engine.

New firefighters stood with flags in the streets, creating a corridor of honor for the procession. The bagpipe music filled Michigan Avenue as tourists and locals watched the casket, draped in the Chicago flag, moved inside Fourth Presbyterian Church with military precision.

Ward’s family spoke during the funeral service. His former wife talked about how he always had very physically demanding hobbies. He was a glass-blowing artist, a scuba diver, a rescue diver. He even played underwater hockey. Ward had a trained respiratory system for all these interests, but in the end, it was his breathing that ultimately failed him.

Walenda said that Ward loved the Gold Coast church where his funeral took place, saying he believed it represented community and it was what a Chicago church ought to be.

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Chicago Fire Department LODD Lieutenant Kevin Ward (more)

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Memorial decal for the LODD of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Ward

thanks to FirehouseDecalsAndMore.com 

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Chicago Fire Department LODD Lieutenant Kevin Ward (more)

#chicagoareafire.com; #ChicagoFD; #KevinWard; #LODD; #funeral;

click to download

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Chicago Fire Department LODD Lieutenant Kevin Ward

Excerpts from nbcchicago.com:

#chicagoareafire.com; #LODD; #ChicagoFD; #KevinWard;

Chicago FD Lieutenant Kevin Ward

Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Ward passed away Tuesday, 18 days after he was injured while working a fire in the 8300 block of West Balmoral Avenue. Ward was one of three firefighters injured in the blaze on Aug. 11. A mayday call was issued during that fire, with two firefighters, including Ward, ending up trapped in the basement of the home.

He was taken to an area hospital for treatment for burns and smoke inhalation, and was originally listed in critical condition. He was later upgraded to serious condition on Aug. 13, with officials saying he was making steady improvement.

He remained hospitalized after the fire, and passed away on Tuesday morning.

A procession will escort Ward from Loyola Medical Center to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday afternoon.

Ward, 59, joined the department in 1996.

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