M resolution
cdopud (The Qity Gounal ofthe Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
resented by mayor rahm emanuel on july 24.2013
BYBQS • ,n *he pre-dawn stillness of May 29, 2013, the Chicago Fire Department suddenly received a report of a fire in the 2700 block of North Kenmore Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Moments later, as Battalion 5 rushed to the scene, Chief Tom Gustafson was notified of the possibility that a person was trapped in a bedroom on the building's first floor; and
WHEREAS. Battalion 5 arrived at a four-story residential building engulfed by heavy black smoke billowing out of the rear doorway. Chief Gustafson spotted a man in the alley, who informed the Chief that his roommate was indeed trapped inside the structure; and
WHEREAS, Chief Gustafson, upon confirming this information, radioed Captain Alfred Kiefer of Engine 55, requesting that a hose line be extended to the rear of the building and stressing the urgent need for a rescue attempt; and
WHEREAS, Captain Kiefer immediately rushed down the smoke-filled alley in protective gear, heading to the rear doorway with no hesitation and no assistance; and
WHEREAS. Captain Kiefer entered the doorway and crawled through searing heat and choking smoke into the apartment, where he was able to establish voice contact with the victim trapped inside; and
WHEREAS, As firefighters outside worked to douse the structure with water, Captain Kiefer instructed the victim to keep talking as he calmly made his way towards the man's voice, heroically persisting despite the smoke and the heat; and
WHEREAS, Soon Captain Kiefer emerged from the smoldering building with the victim, just as his comrades directed water to attack the flames. He transferred the victim to emergency medical teams at the scene, who performed stabilizing treatment and took the man to the hospital; and
WHEREAS, Due to the admirable leadership of Chief Gustafson, the tenacious efforts of Battalion 5 and medical responders, and the tremendous bravery and...
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