Excerpts from centralillinoisproud.com:
Peoria Fire Department Capt. Nick Hansen and Firefighter Tobi Roderick will receive the Firefighting Medal of Valor awarded by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office. Such a recognition is very rare, with the last such medals coming close to 20 years.
The department will hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 26 at the central fire house to honor the two men, who will also be recognized in May during the 31st annual Firefighting Medal of Honor awards ceremony in Springfield.
Both were nominated for their rapid rescue of an unconscious victim in a house fire on April 17, 2023. Their fast intervention, tactical skills, and zero hesitation in risking their own life saved the victim’s life, according to the Peoria Fire Department.
The fire occurred in the 5300 block of North Stephen Drive. Crews were called to the house at 12:30 a.m., and as they were racing to the scene, they heard a person was unresponsive inside the home. Officers with the Peoria Police Department attempted to get inside the house but could not due to the flames and heat.
On arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire as half the home was fully engulfed in flames, and several firefighters made a rapid entry into the house and removed the victim who was barely breathing. The woman was taken to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center where she was later reported to be breathing.
A dog died in the fire. No other victims were reported. The house’s second story over the garage partially caved-in.
