SR0754LRB104 21690 LAW 37265 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3congratulate Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola on being the 
4recipient of the Illinois Fire Service Medal of Valor; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The Illinois Fire Service Medal of Valor is 
6awarded by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal to 
7firefighters who demonstrate exceptional courage, bravery, and 
8a commitment to protecting others at great personal risk; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola was 
10recognized for his extraordinary actions during a commercial 
11structure fire at 330 West Lake Street in Addison on May 21, 
122025, where crews encountered a working fire in a commercial 
13occupancy with smoke showing upon arrival; and
 
14    WHEREAS, As interior operations began, 
15Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola was assigned to the entry 
16point to assist with advancing hose lines; during suppression 
17efforts, conditions rapidly deteriorated after fire extended 
18into a concealed void space above operating crews; heavy fire, 
19extreme heat, and zero visibility forced firefighters to the 
20floor as they attempted to locate an exit, leading to an 
21evacuation being ordered; and
 
 
 
SR0754- 2 -LRB104 21690 LAW 37265 r

1    WHEREAS, Upon the order to evacuate, Firefighter-Paramedic 
2Gino Casciola maintained his position at the threshold of the 
3structure, where he was met with zero-visibility conditions 
4and extreme thermal stress; he initially facilitated the 
5egress of three interior members who were disoriented and 
6searching for the exit; despite repeated orders to retreat 
7from the building for his own safety, he remained at the door, 
8identifying that two members were still absent; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Recognizing that the remaining members had not 
10emerged and that the window for survival was closing, 
11Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola reentered the structure; 
12after clearing a blocked exit path, he conducted a rapid 
13search in high-heat, zero-visibility conditions and 
14successfully located and extracted the first remaining member; 
15without hesitation, he reentered the structure a second time, 
16located the final missing member, and successfully pulled them 
17to safety; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola only exited 
19the structure after accounting for all remaining members; 
20through his decisive and selfless actions, five members, 
21including two lieutenants and three firefighter-paramedics, 
22were safely removed from the structure and survived the 
23incident without injury; and
 
 
 
SR0754- 3 -LRB104 21690 LAW 37265 r

1    WHEREAS, Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola's actions 
2exemplified the highest traditions of fire service and reflect 
3great credit upon himself and Addison Fire Protection District 
4#1; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola will be 
6awarded the Illinois Fire Service Medal of Valor at the 
7Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighting Medal of 
8Honor Awards Ceremony in Springfield on May 12, 2026; 
9therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate 
12Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola of Addison Fire Protection 
13District #1 on being awarded the Illinois Fire Service Medal, 
14and we thank him for his service and dedication to the Addison 
15community and the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to Firefighter-Paramedic Gino Casciola as an 
18expression of our esteem and respect.