HJ0044 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0044 LRB100 12064 MST 24591 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly wish to recognize and appreciate the heroism which took place the morning of March 16, 2017 by Highland FIRE-EMS Paramedic Todd Zobrist, Paramedic Ty Barr, Highland Police Department Sergeant Aric Steinbeck, Officer Shawn Bland, Officer Heather Kunz, and Officer Chris Clewis; and

WHEREAS, At 5:30 a.m., Todd Zobrist and Ty Barr had already worked nearly a 24-hour shift when they responded to an emergency at Silver Lake, where an SUV was partially submerged; and

WHEREAS, When Todd Zobrist and Ty Barr arrived at Silver Lake, they could still see the headlights from the SUV beaming through the cold water; and

WHEREAS, They knew they must act fast knowing that firefighters with a boat and special diving gear were stuck at a railroad crossing; and

WHEREAS, Todd Zobrist swam 75 feet in life-threatening 46 degree water, where he found an infant boy floating inside the SUV; and

WHEREAS, Todd Zobrist performed CPR on the baby boy while on the roof of the SUV; the baby boy began to breathe on his own; and

WHEREAS, After about seven minutes since arriving on the scene, in dark, cold conditions, Todd Zobrist brought the infant back to shore safely; and

WHEREAS, Officer Shawn Bland assisted paramedics to get the baby and the now hypothermic paramedic, Todd Zobrist, into the ambulance to be rushed to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, Officer Heather Kunz provided resuscitation efforts and warming to the baby in the ambulance; and

WHEREAS, Officer Chris Clewis drove the ambulance to the hospital so that paramedic Ty Barr could care for the baby and his partner, Todd Zobrist; and

WHEREAS, Police Sergeant Aric Steinbeck kept the emergency scene under control and handled important communications while others were occupied; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we recognize and show our sincere gratitude for the heroic actions taken by Highland FIRE-EMS paramedics Todd Zobrist and Ty Barr, and Highland Police Officers Sergeant Aric Steinbeck, Officer Shawn Bland, Officer Heather Kunz, and Officer Chris Clewis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Paramedic Todd Zobrist, Paramedic Ty Barr, Sergeant Aric Steinbeck, Officer Shawn Bland, Officer Heather Kunz, and Officer Chris Clewis as a symbol of our admiration and respect.