OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
October 21, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning the Chicago Fire Department. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Mayor
presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL on OCTOBER 21, 2015
^OheteUS , In the early morning hours of August 8, 2015, Battalion 2 of the Chicago Fire Department responded to a call of a person in distress in the Chicago River at Cermak Road and Canal Street. Battalion Chief James Jablonowski was the first to arrive on the scene and ascertained that the location was a remote embankment; and
WHEREAS, A distraught man at the scene urgently told Chief Jablonowski that his friend was drowning. However, locating the victim was a significant challenge due to the lack of lighting and the time of day; and
WHEREAS, Realizing that every second counted in this situation. Chief Jablonowski raced to the river's edge while donning a personal flotation device; and
WHEREAS, Chief Jablonowski then jumped from the embankment into the river, a ten-foot drop, in' order to locate and rescue the victim. Chief Jablonowski swam out to the victim, secured him, and then brought him safely back to the shoreline; and
WHEREAS, A fire department helicopter now on the scene deployed two divers to assist Chief Jablonowski, who stayed with the victim, and he helped get the victim safely raised up the ten-foot embankment to safety; and
WHEREAS, The victim was successfully removed from the river and transferred to a waiting ambulance, which took him to the hospital; and
WHEREAS, In the finest tradition of the Chicago Fire Department, Battalion Chief Jablonowski's quick action undoubtedly saved a victim's life; and
WHEREAS, Battalion Chief Jablonowski displayed great skill and courage under emergency circumstances. We are proud and honored to recognize him for his extraordinary professionalism and rapid lifesaving intervention; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-first day of October, 2015, do hereby honor Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief James Jablonowski of Battalion 2 for his display of bravery in the face of serious injury or death; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Battalion Chief James Jablonowski of the Chicago Fire Department, and placed on permanent record in his personnel file, as a token of our gratitude and esteem.