On June 1, 2005 the Bolingbrook Fire
Department responded to an automatic fire alarm (AFA) at a 94 unit
apartment building. Dispatch was receiving multiple calls of residents
unable to get out of their apartments due to heavy smoke. Also, reports
of a person who had jumped from the building was being received by
dispatch. The first company on the scene went to the second floor to
begin rescue efforts. Engine 211 and Ambulance 214 arrived on the scene
at sector D, where we encountered a crowd of people who were reporting a
woman trapped in a second floor apartment. A ladder was thrown to the
second floor window where firefighters Jeff Purtell, Frank Ritter, and
Lieutenant Rich Kostelz entered the second floor apartment. They
encountered a fire in the kitchen. Firefighter Ritter manned the
hoseline, knocked down the fire and protected our means of egress.
Meanwhile, Firefighter Purtell and Lieutenant Kostelz proceeded to do a
search of the apartment. The victim was located in the living room
area, and was still breathing. She was moved to the window by
Firefighter Purtell and Lieutenant Kostelz, and given to Firefighter Dan
Bradley, who was waiting on the ladder. For our efforts that day,
Firefighters Jeff Purtell, Frank Ritter and Lieutenant Kostelz received
the Medal of Valor award at the 13th Annual Fallen Firefighter
Memorial. Engineer Chris Sarcletti, who was on the pump that day,
received a Certificate of Recognition for his role in the rescue.
The
picture taken down in Springfield in front of the Fallen Firefighter
Memorial are from left to right- Firefighter Frank Ritter, Lieutenant
Rich Kostelz, Firefighter Jeff Purtell, and Engineer Chris Sarcletti.
