OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
MAYOR
May 4, 2011
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning Fire Lieutenant Kenneth Kozlowski and Firefighter Robert Fisher ofthe Chicago Fire Department, and their exemplary conduct during the events of April 15, 2011.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
M resolution
adopted by Tlie Gltlj QoUHCll
ofthe Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
resented by MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY 0M MAY 4, 2011
BTBCIS > On *he evening of Friday, April 15, 2011, companies of the Chicago Fire Department's 5th District were dispatched to a fire on the 6100 block of South Marshfield Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The first-arriving units at the scene. Engine Company 116 and Squad 5, saw smoke pouring from the two-story building. The 19th Battalion Chief, Paul Foertsch, assessed the situation and directed an escalated response. Tower Ladder 39, Engine 101 and Truck 41 soon arrived and went into action, providing ventilation and searching for residents trapped inside; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Kenneth Kozlowski of Engine Company 116 learned from neighbors that an elderly woman remained in a first-floor apartment. Seeing that heavy smoke was billowing from the windows and that the fire was advancing quickly, with flames spreading from the basement and threatening the first floor, Lieutenant Kozlowski ordered his crew, which included Firefighter Robert Fisher, to lead out hose lines into the first floor; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Kozlowski and Firefighter Fisher plunged into the thick black smoke filling the apartment as they searched for victims and moved the line forward, trying to find a stairway leading to the basement; and
WHEREAS, As they ventured deeper into the unit, they encountered a man lying unconscious on the floor, and worked with quick efficiency to carry him out to safety. While doing so, they discovered an elderly woman, who it was later revealed was 100 years old, also incapacitated by the fire. They also swiftly brought her out of harm's way; and
WHEREAS, Once safely outside, both victims received medical attention; and
WHEREAS, The responding companies demonstrated superb skill and training in working together to quickly bring this emergency under control, while minimizing the risks to all occupants and to surrounding property; and
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WHEREAS, The remarkable courage and heroism of Lieutenant Kenneth Kozlowski and Firefighter Robert Fisher gave two victims in desperate straits a second chance at life; and
WHEREAS, So intense was Lieutenant Kozlowski's focus that, while carrying the woman to safety, he injured his knee seriously enough to temporarily remove him from active duty, but he kept on with the rescue until all victims were safe; and
WHEREAS, The valor and determination shown by Lieutenant Kozlowski and Firefighter Robert Fisher are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Chicago Fire Department; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fourth day of May, 2011, do hereby honor Lieutenant Kenneth Kozlowski and Firefighter Robert Fisher of the Chicago Fire Department for their heroic rescue of two victims on the verge of succumbing to a fire; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Kenneth Kozlowski and Firefighter Robert Fisher, and placed on permanent record in their personnel files, as a token of our appreciation and esteem.