HR0103 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0103 LRB099 07165 GRL 27256 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor those who risk their lives to protect and serve the people of this State; and

WHEREAS, At 5:08 AM on January 7, 2015, Elmwood Park Fire Department firefighter Frank Casella, along with members of the Elmwood Park Fire Department, the Norwood Park Fire Department, the Norridge Police Department, the Harwood Heights Police Department, and the River Grove Fire Department, responded to a house fire at 7911 West Gunnison Street in Norridge; while traveling to the scene of the fire, the responders were notified that there were trapped victims in the home; and

WHEREAS, Upon arriving at the scene, Frank Casella and the other responders found fire coming out of windows on 2 sides of the building and heavy smoke on the first and second floors; the responders immediately began searching for victims, eventually finding several victims hanging out of windows on the 2nd floor; all available crew members were then called to the rear of the house with ground ladders; and

WHEREAS, Working as a team, the responders were able to successfully ladder the building and assist victims onto the ladders and down to safety; the victims were handed over to Emergency Medical Services crews to check for injuries or smoke inhalation; the victims were subsequently transported to local hospitals and were released later that afternoon; and

WHEREAS, After the victims were removed from the building, the responders began to attack the fire with multiple hose lines and elevated master streams; after several hours, the fire was successfully controlled; and

WHEREAS, Frank Casella serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Elmwood Park Fire Department firefighter Frank Casella for his work and wish him continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Frank Casella as a symbol of our esteem and respect.