HR1296 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1296 LRB095 21430 KXB 50837 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor the Franklin Park Fire Department firefighters who are being honored with medals of honor at the Illinois Firefighters Memorial at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, On September 8, 2006 at 0700 hours the Schiller Park Fire Department responded to a fire in an apartment building; upon arrival smoke was showing and a fire was located in a first floor apartment; Franklin Park Ladder Co. 2, consisting of Lieutenant Jack Berry, Lieutenant Tim Monroe, Firefighter Garry Ligmanowski, and Firefighter Douglas Halverson, was assigned to search the 3rd floor apartment in the rear after a report that a child could still be in an apartment; with a smoke condition present from the fire on the lower floor, the crew from Ladder Co. 2 broke up into two groups with Lieutenant Berry and Firefighter Ligmanowski ventilating hallway windows and searching one apartment and Lieutenant Monroe and Firefighter Halverson checking the other apartment; Lieutenant Monroe and Firefighter Halverson found a young girl who was located hiding in a closet in a smoke filled apartment; both crews assisted the young girl down the stairs and gave her to Paramedics from Schiller Park so she could be given medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, On July 21, 2006 the Hillside Fire Department responded to a house fire; upon arrival they discovered a fire in a private dwelling; Chief Traiforos from the Franklin Park Fire Department was dispatched to the fire in Hillside as the Incident Safety Officer; when Chief Traiforos arrived on the scene he was assigned to supervise the rear of the fire; with the fire spreading the alarm escalated and Franklin Park Ladder Co. 2 was dispatched on the 3rd alarm; the crew consisted of Acting Officer Daniel Fidonik, Firefighter Garry Ligmanowski, and Firefighter Douglas Halverson; and

WHEREAS, On arrival Ladder Co. 2 was assigned to report to the rear of the fire building working under the supervision of Chief Traiforos; while attempting to remove a door located in the rear of the house, a Firefighter from River Grove fell through the floor and into the burning basement; Firefighter Fidonik notified Chief Traiforos of the situation and Chief Traiforos declared a "MAYDAY" for a Firefighter down; members of Franklin Park Ladder Co.2 assisted by members of River Grove Engine 565, consisting of Lieutenant Jason Lambert, Lieutenant Rich Savoia, Firefighter Brian Clarke, and Bellwood Firefighter Chris LaValley, went to the aid of the fallen firefighter; the fire escalated to another alarm and a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) from Elmhurst responded to also aid the downed Firefighter; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to training and experience, the firefighters were able to assist the downed firefighter and he was rescued within a minute; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Timothy Moore, Firefighter Daniel Fidonik, Firefighter Douglas Halverson, Firefighter Garry Ligmanowski, and Lieutenant Jack Berry will be awarded medals of honor for their bravery and dedication; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate these brave men and wish them continued safety and the watchful eyes of their fellow firefighters as they continue to serve their communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Timothy Moore, Firefighter Daniel Fidonik, Firefighter Douglas Halverson, Firefighter Garry Ligmanowski, and Lieutenant Jack Berry as symbols of our respect.