HR0436LRB102 19892 LAW 28668 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Firefighter Matthew 
4Preston of the Belleville Fire Department for being selected 
5to receive the Firefighter Excellence Award, which is 
6presented by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal; 
7and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, The Firefighter Excellence Award is presented for 
9an act of service in the line of duty, demonstrating 
10excellence and professionalism in service to the citizens of 
11the State of Illinois; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Matthew Preston, as a member of the Belleville 
13Fire Department's Crew 1229, responded to an apartment fire in 
14the 200 block of Freedom Drive on the morning of Saturday, 
15October 26, 2019; the fire originated in the bathroom, where 
16unattended candles caught an aerosol can on fire, causing an 
17explosion; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Upon the Belleville Fire Department's arrival, it 
19was discovered that  a mother and two children had already 
20safely escaped the apartment; Matthew Preston, alongside 
21Engineer Jeremy DeJournett, entered the apartment complex to 
22clear it of occupants and were putting on their gear when 
 
 
HR0436- 2 -LRB102 19892 LAW 28668 r

1Jeremy DeJournett heard crying, which drew them into the 
2apartment; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Matthew Preston located a third child, a 
44-year-old, on a couch underneath some pillows inside the 
5apartment; he then pulled the child out of the smoke-filled 
6apartment; the child was transported to a local hospital for 
7treatment and was released hours later; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Matthew Preston will be presented the Firefighter 
9Excellence Award at the 28th Annual Firefighter Medal of Honor 
10Awards Ceremony hosted by the Office of the Illinois State 
11Fire Marshal on September 10, 2021; therefore, be it
  
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
13HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
14we congratulate Firefighter Matthew Preston for being selected 
15to receive the Firefighter Excellence Award, and we thank him 
16for his continued bravery and service in the line of duty; and 
17be it further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to Matthew Preston as an expression of our esteem 
20and respect.