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Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor awards ceremony

May 9

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Firefighters from across Illinois gathered in Springfield Tuesday to remember fallen firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Firefighters John “Mike” Cummins of the Homer Fire Protection District and Lawrence Matthews from the Village of Dolton Fire Department were honored for their heroic sacrifice during the 25th Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighting Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony. Their families were presented with the Duty Death Gold Badge by Fire Marshal Matt Perez.

Two firefighters were also presented with The Medal of Honor award during the ceremony. It’s the highest award given to firefighters by the state of Illinois. Lt. Eric Schrage from the Collinsville Fire Department and Paramedic Todd Zobrist from the Highland Fire Department/EMS were selected for demonstrating selflessness and personal courage above and beyond the call of duty.

Nine firefighters were honored with the Medal of Valor award. It is given by the state of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty. Recipients include:

• Capt. Daniel Whiteside, Alton Fire Department

• Firefighter Aaron Pihl, Belvidere Fire Department

• Lt. Shawn Schadle, Belvidere Fire Department

• Firefighter Jeff Vaughan, Belvidere Fire Department

• Firefighter Eric Claudio, Chicago Fire Department

• Lt./EMT John O’Brien, Chicago Fire Department

• Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Hoff, Downers Grove Fire Department

• Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Sohn, Downers Grove Fire Department

• Firefighter/Paramedic Quinn Triplett, Downers Grove Fire Department

Fourteen firefighters received the Firefighter Excellence Award for an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating excellence and professionalism in service to the citizens of the state of Illinois. Recipients include:

• Firefighter Mark Beck, Belvidere Fire Department

• Firefighter James Kriebs, Belvidere Fire Department

• Firefighter Jason Swanson, Belvidere Fire Department

• Firefighter Nicolas Thornton, Belvidere Fire Department

• Captain Mark Zumbragel, Belvidere Fire Department

• Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Covelli, Downers Grove Fire Department

• Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Schrader, Downers Grove Fire Department

• Paramedic Ty Barr, Highland Fire/EMS

• Firefighter Ben Bentley, Peru Fire Department

• Firefighter Alex Duncan, Peru Fire Department

• Lt. Neil Nadolski, Peru Fire Department

• Engineer Kris Ayers, Wood River Fire Department

• Engineer Bill Hall, Wood River Fire Department

• Firefighter Jamie Wells, Wood River Fire Department

In addition, six units received the Firefighter Excellence “Teamwork Unit Citation” Awards for an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating excellence, teamwork, and professionalism in service to the citizens of the state of Illinois. Recipients include:

• Blue Island Fire Department

• Broadview Fire Department

• Chicago Heights Fire Department

• North Chicago Fire Department

• Orland Fire Protection District

• Pana Fire Department, which was recognized for its actions during a April 2, 2017, fire in the 800 block of East Second Street. The fire claimed the lives of two children, ages 2 years and 3 months. Fire officials said the cause of the April 2 blaze appeared to be electrical.

One firefighter received the Certificate of Recognition which acknowledges those nominated for their dedication to the principles and traditions of the fire service, to the state and the community, with honor and integrity.

• Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Buettner, Bolingbrook Fire Department

thanks Dan

Tags: annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor awards ceremony, Firefighter John “Mike” Cummins, Firefighter Lawrence Matthews, Highland paramedic Todd Zobrist, Lt. Eric Schrage, Medal of Valor Award

Highland Fire Department news

Mar 17

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Excerpts from the Bellevillenews-democrat.com:

On Thursday, a series of events began at 5:15 a.m. in Glen Carbon, Illinois, when fire broke out at a home owned by Cristy Lynn Campbell. An adult died in the fire but six children, siblings ranging up to age 14, escaped. Glen Carbon is about 30 miles east of St. Louis.

Sheriff John Lakin said the person killed has not been identified, but Campbell’s estranged husband and the father of the children, Justin Campbell, has not been accounted for.

Some of the children ran to a nearby Wal-Mart, others to a home in the neighborhood. The kids at the Wal-Mart asked an arriving worker to call 911, Lakin said.

Cristy Campbell was not in the home when firefighters arrived nor was the couple’s seventh child, a 3-month-old boy.

At 5:31 a.m., a motorist passing near Silver Lake in Highland, Illinois, about 16 miles from the home, saw a car heading down a hill toward the water and called 911.

Highland Fire Department Paramedic Todd Zobrist, jumped into the 46-degree water and swam 50 to 75 feet to the SUV, where he found a baby floating inside the car. He pulled the baby by the arm to the hood of the SUV, where he began CPR, then swam with the child to shore.

The child, initially unresponsive, is expected to recover and could be released Friday from a hospital in St. Charles, Missouri.

After finding the baby, authorities began searching the water. A body was pulled from the lake around 11:15 a.m., and while the body has not been identified, police are no longer searching for Cristy Campbell.

Court records showed that Cristy Campbell and Justin Campbell, 37, had a volatile relationship.

In 2005, before they were married, Justin was charged with domestic abuse for allegedly attacking Cristy, then known as Cristy Brueggemann, by slapping her in the head when she was pregnant. He was sentenced in March 2006 to probation and fined $500.

Despite the violence they were married on Nov. 3, 2006. She filed for legal separation in September 2010, but the matter was dismissed two months later.

In April 2012, she obtained an emergency protection order against her husband and filed for divorce, alleging frequent abuse including being punched and choked.

The divorce was granted in February 2013.

Lakin said Glen Carbon police have answered several calls to Campbell’s home, including some domestic-related situations.

Authorities said the children are with Illinois authorities and will be placed with relatives.