OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
April 19,2017
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Reboyras, Laurino and O'Shea, a congratulatory resolution concerning the Chicago Fire Department.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
'Whereas , In the late evening of January 20, .2017, firefighters William Monaco and;
D'-f ire Depdrtmentjesponded;:to^g.fire:.
iruthe 7TOO block of South Fairfield Avenue, in the Mdrquette,Park'neighborh66&; an6
' WHEREAS, • Members of .Squad_Co:mpdpy, -5 arrived with their special rescue, fire ^company and saw heavy fire and thick blqck:smoke billowing from a two-story building;
and :X " .■' ; i-: ■ ' X." •• J-"-, '
• WHEREAS/ Firefighters observed d heavy volume of, fire comingsfrom the' basement and blowing like a torch that reached the eaves of the roof;, and V \o
_> ."' WHEREAS, Acting quickly, the first .engine company Used a deck water gun. to extinguish jhe fire, but the heat was so intense that the blaze flared up a^ihrdnd^^P
WHEREAS, The 20th Battalion Chief, Louis,Bongiornp, ordered Squad Company 5
to search.the two-unit building, Firefighters Monaco and Sewni'g, despiteehcountering
thick, heavy,-black smoke, began to search.the first-floor apartment.' Visibility was zero
and therrnal imaging camera equipment was ineffective. As-a result, these firefighters
had to.rely on-feeling around in the engulfed structure jp their search for possible;victims;
and "! '■'■"':■ . '. ':?,{<":''' •- '"' >' ■'"■ ' , -.,.■"■'. :<;r0 ,v
WHEREAS, Firefighter-Sewnig-came upon a'bedroom and felt what seemed: to be a lifeless body. With the dssistance of Firefighter Monaco;! Sewhig carried thepefson to the exterior of the,buildihg; and, ;: . • Jv ^.iJh^' X ' .-'7"'-X" ,; '.- '
. WHEREAS, Both firefighters immediately began administering 'life' saving ■ techniques to-the victim,.- q To' year-old girl,. who was not ; breathing and was unresponsive.^. Along.wjth dssistance from^he-ambulance company, they were able to revive the girl using CP.RXthe girl was'Ftransported. to Holy Cross Hospital 'and later 'transferred to Loyola Hospital and.-into a hyperbolic chamber. The girl wds'- released.--from the hospital, less than; a :week dfter nearly dying and is'/expectedJo--'i7i'dke:;qi:full' recovery; and ... '■'. "o* V ;--,-■;'; "-'X.;-C ^^v,-. /' '■■''-' X "yf "-. ' ;,-/> .: V' ■ - :: ';;;, .
: WHEREAS, Firefighters Monaco arid-Sewnig acted quickly, efficiently and with total disregard for their personal safety in performing a.successful rescue and. averting what could 'have been a tragedy. Firefighters Monaco and Sewnig.perfotmed their duties 'in the highest tradition 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 nineteenth day ,of, April, 2017,: do hereby commend
Firefighters William Mdndco and James Sewnig for their skill "and courage in rendering
vital assistance td thosCin.desperate need;.and; - . -. • "'
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies, of this resolution be presented to
Firefighters Monaco and Sewnig, and placed on permanent record in their personnel
files, as a token of our appreciation and esteem. ... .