HR0436LRB102 19892 LAW 28668 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate Firefighter Matthew
4Preston of the Belleville Fire Department for being selected
5to receive the Firefighter Excellence Award, which is
6presented by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, The Firefighter Excellence Award is presented for
9an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating
10excellence and professionalism in service to the citizens of
11the State of Illinois; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Matthew Preston, as a member of the Belleville
13Fire Department's Crew 1229, responded to an apartment fire in
14the 200 block of Freedom Drive on the morning of Saturday,
15October 26, 2019; the fire originated in the bathroom, where
16unattended candles caught an aerosol can on fire, causing an
17explosion; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Upon the Belleville Fire Department's arrival, it
19was discovered that a mother and two children had already
20safely escaped the apartment; Matthew Preston, alongside
21Engineer Jeremy DeJournett, entered the apartment complex to
22clear it of occupants and were putting on their gear when

 

 

HR0436- 2 -LRB102 19892 LAW 28668 r

1Jeremy DeJournett heard crying, which drew them into the
2apartment; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Matthew Preston located a third child, a
44-year-old, on a couch underneath some pillows inside the
5apartment; he then pulled the child out of the smoke-filled
6apartment; the child was transported to a local hospital for
7treatment and was released hours later; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Matthew Preston will be presented the Firefighter
9Excellence Award at the 28th Annual Firefighter Medal of Honor
10Awards Ceremony hosted by the Office of the Illinois State
11Fire Marshal on September 10, 2021; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
13HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we congratulate Firefighter Matthew Preston for being selected
15to receive the Firefighter Excellence Award, and we thank him
16for his continued bravery and service in the line of duty; and
17be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to Matthew Preston as an expression of our esteem
20and respect.