On the morning of January 7th the Norwood Park Fire Protection District responded to a report of a house fire with residents trapped. The firefighters, demonstrating courage and skills of the highest standards were instrumental in ensuring all 8 residents had been safety removed or rescued from the structure and received any needed medical attention. With the help of two police departments and 16 area fire departments who answered the call to help at this 2nd Alarm fire, it was contained and extinguished with no loss of life and minimal injuries.

On February of this year, at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Norwood Park Fire Protection District, State Representative Rob Martwick, along with other area representatives, the Mayor of Norridge and Chief Stenson were proud to present the Award of Valor to the first due companies of Norwood Park, and well as being honored with a declaration of Valor by the State of Illinois.

Whether they were in Command, throwing ladders, helping victims, responding to the interior for Search and Rescue, pulling hose, opening hydrants or pumping water the Police and Fire personnel were an integral part of the rescue of those 8 persons. They were the First Responders, who fought wind chills of 30 below zero with no regard for themselves in the performance of their duties.

The Norwood Park Fire Department is proud present the Award of Valor to Commander David Blondell, Lieutenant Claude Erlewein, Firefighters Richard Appelhans, Randy Davis, Leigh Unger, and Stephen Swank as well as Paramedics Kurt Seiler, David Sanchez, David Pawlowski, and Chad Martin.

Congratulations, and Thank You for representing the very best of the Fire Service!