Firefighters and paramedics from the Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District have been honored by the Illinois Fallen Firefighters Memorial and Firefighting Medal of Honor Award Ceremony for a daring rescue in early April.
Members of the fire department were called to a residential structure fire on April 4 at the southern end of the district, officials said on their Facebook page.
With high heat and heavy smoke, firefighters entered the townhouse and began searching for the fire and residents inside, officials said.
Crews found and quickly removed the first missing resident and continued searching for the second victim, officials said.
The 2nd resident was discovered buried under debris in the back of the home and was safely removed by the firefighters.
Both residents were transported to area hospitals while the crews extinguished and overhauled the fire building.
Receiving the Unit Citation in Springfield include Battalion Chief Jason McKenna, Lieutenant Alex Nunez, Lieutenant John McWilliams, Firefighter/Paramedic Ben Blonsky, Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Burnell, Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Haltman, Firefighter/Paramedic Chase Hellinger, Firefighter/Paramedic Ted Kazeos, Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Schmidt, Firefighter Candidate Michael Jack and Firefighter Candidate Kevin Jacks.