Excerpts from RedCrossStories:
On the morning of March 25, 2016, Chris Tierney, an off-duty firefighter and paramedic from Streamwood, was driving on the Jane Addams Tollway in Elgin during rush hour when he spotted something alarming: a limousine had suddenly become airborne and crashed into the middle of a construction zone. The car was already on fire, and the driver had managed to escape, but the passengers were still inside.
Without hesitation, Chris pulled over and rushed to the scene. “I heard screaming from inside the vehicle,†he later recalled. “The car was burning, and I knew I had to act fast.†He immediately called out to a nearby construction worker to grab a fire extinguisher while he ran back to his truck for a hammer to break the windows and rescue the trapped passengers.
With quick and steady hands, Chris broke the windows and assessed the situation. Inside, six people were injured, with at least one woman unconscious. Despite the rising smoke and the risk of explosion, he focused on saving lives. “The first thing on my mind was getting them out as quickly as possible,†he said. He pulled the first passenger out, then returned again and again to help others, even tending to the unconscious woman who was barely breathing. He checked her pulse regularly and began CPR until emergency services arrived.
Within minutes, ambulances and fire engines reached the scene. Chris worked alongside local paramedics, helping to transport the injured and assist with medical care. His actions were critical in ensuring that the victims received immediate attention, potentially saving their lives.
With over a decade of experience as a firefighter, Chris remained humble about his heroism. “This is what we train for,†he said. “It wasn’t about fear or hesitation—it just happened automatically. We train for the one percent, and this was it.â€
The Firefighter Award honors professionals, volunteers, or medical personnel associated with fire departments who go above and beyond the call of duty, showing true courage in emergencies or through long-term community service.
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Thanks, Dan
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