HR1198 LRB095 20823 GRL 49579 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to recognize Lt./EMT Brian
4 McKermitt for his valor exhibited on the morning of Wednesday,
5 February 21, 2007; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Companies of the 11th Battalion of the Chicago
7 Fire Department were dispatched to a house fire at 4345 North
8 Kenneth in Chicago, a one and a half story single family home
9 with a fire in the basement; upon arriving, fire crews saw
10 people running from the front of the home, with one of the
11 occupants yelling to the fire fighters that a person might be
12 trapped in the basement; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Engine 108's crew immediately went to work
14 stretching hose lines to extinguish the fire in the basement
15 and also to cover exposures; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Tower Ladder 23, under the command of Lt. Brian
17 McKermitt, directed the search and rescue operation and began
18 ventilating the building; the aggressive search team quickly
19 went into the fiery smoke-filled basement, realizing that they
20 only had a few sacred moments to get anyone who was inside out
21 alive; and
 

 

 

HR1198 - 2 - LRB095 20823 GRL 49579 r

1     WHEREAS, During the rapid but detailed search, Lt. Brian
2 McKermitt found an unconscious adult male, stretched out on the
3 floor, suffering from severe smoke inhalation and extensive
4 burns; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Lt. McKermitt dragged the victim to the safety of
6 the stairwell, which was the only possible exit, despite threat
7 of being engulfed by flames from the fire spreading quickly
8 towards the escape route; with the assistance of another
9 firefighter, the victim was carried up the stairs, completing
10 the rescue effort; once outside the home, oxygen and immediate
11 care were provided until Ambulance 39 team took over treatment
12 and transport; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Without the courageous efforts, rapid response,
14 and coordinated teamwork shown by Lt. McKermitt and the other
15 responders, this rescue would not have been possible and the
16 outcome would have been tragic; the life of one very fortunate
17 man was salvaged that day and another chance at life provided
18 to someone by firefighters who are dedicated to their motto,
19 "We're there when you need us"; therefore, be it
 
20     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
21 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
22 congratulate Lt./EMT Brian McKermitt for his quick actions and
23 determination in the face of extreme danger; and be it further
 

 

 

HR1198 - 3 - LRB095 20823 GRL 49579 r

1     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2 presented to Lt./EMT Brian McKermitt in recognition of his
3 valor, along with the City of Chicago Special Honorable Mention
4 Award.