Tuesday, March 10, are, from left, Dave Vitolka, Joe Malik,
John Elashik, Ryan Tracy, Sean Sullivan, Jason Presnak,
Bill Wright, Kevin Wake, Chris Kieta and Deputy Chief
Steve DeJong. (Photo by Quinn Crump/The Chronicle)
The Village of Homewood honored 10 firefighters Tuesday at the board of trustees meeting for efforts above the call of duty in the past year and a half.
Fire Chief Robert Grabowski explained that the certificates of honor were for firefighters’ actions in three life-threatening situations. Each of the three situations was recognized as an Outstanding Call by South Cook County EMS.
The firefighters honored were Dave Vitolka, Joe Malik, John Elashik, Ryan Tracy, Sean Sullivan, Jason Presnak, Bill Wright, Kevin Wake, Chris Kieta and Deputy Chief Steve DeJong.
Grabowski provided a brief description of each call.
- Sept. 25, 2013: Firefighters attended to an unresponsive 32-year-old male who was cyanotic, or blue from lack of oxygen, and with a respiratory rate of 4. The crew was able to resuscitate and stabilize the man’s condition.
- July 14, 2014: Firefighters attended an unresponsive 48-year-old female who had no pulse. After administering CPR and other life-saving procedures, the woman was resuscitated and admitted to the hospital.
- Sept. 17, 2014: Firefighters attended a 72-year-old female who was in cardiac arrest. After administering CPR and other life-saving procedures, the woman was resuscitated and admitted to the hospital.