Local hero honored for saving retired Chicago firefighter

VIDEO: A firefighter, accustomed to saving lives, found himself in need of rescue when he collapsed and nearly died last October. George Ma’Ayteh was in the process of looking at furniture at a Northwest Side apartment to be purchased via Facebook Marketplace when he suddenly fell over. His boss, Paula Anast, was with him and got on the phone with Fire Communications Operator Amanda Garr, who, remaining composed and focused, guided Anast through the steps of CPR over the phone, effectively coaching her in the lifesaving procedure. Recalling the harrowing incident, Anast described Ma’Ayteh as appearing "dead." Garr's expertise proved invaluable as she skillfully directed Anast in administering chest compressions until paramedics arrived.
WFLD-TV FOX 32 Chicago

Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters Association Unveils Statue Commemorating 75th Anniversary Of St. Anthony Hospital Fire

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital leaders and colleagues, Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, city officials, retired firefighters and community members joined together on April 14 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the St. Anthony Hospital fire with a special event. The ceremony included the unveiling of a statue of a nurse holding a baby commissioned by the Effingham Retired Volunteer Firefighters Association (ERVFA) to memorialize the victims of the fire, and honor those who bravely fought the fire as well as those who helped raise funds to rebuild the hospital afterwards. The statue’s home is near the hospital’s healing garden by the Prairie Heart Institute entrance on Maple Street. Following the unveiling ceremony, the statue was blessed by Father Adam Prichard, Hospital Chaplain.
Effingham Radio

VIDEO: Extra-alarm fire destroys Lower West Side Chicago apartment house, spreads to neighboring homes

PHOTOS: A fireball shot into the sky Thursday evening as an apartment house went up in flames in Pilsen. Firefighters were called to the scene at 8:15 p.m., and found flames raging at the two-and-a-half-story, multi-family frame house at 1355 W. 16th St., Chicago Fire Department Assistant 1st District Chief Jim McDonough said The building was vacant and was being remodeled at the time, he said. Firefighters immediately launched a blitz attack – directing two hose lines on the house while protecting nearby homes. The Fire Department raised a 2-11 alarm for additional equipment and manpower. A 2-11 alarm brings 32 pieces of fire equipment and just short of 100 firefighters, McDonough explained. The fire did spread to two nearby buildings to the east and west – both of them constructed from a wood frame with a brick veneer, and both of them occupied, McDonough said.
WBBM-TV CBS 2 Chicago

Two buildings suffer heavy damage in Mt. Morris fire

PHOTOS/VIDEO: A fire heavily damaged two buildings on N. Wesley Ave. in Mt. Morris on Tuesday. At 1:32 p.m., a fire was reported at a two-story building located at 1 N. Wesley Avenue in Mt. Morris. Smoke and fire were seen upon arrival by Mt. Morris Fire Department. The fire roared through the aging, poorly maintained building, fanned by strong winds. Occupants told firefighters that everyone had safely exited the building. Nearby businesses at 3 North Wesley Ave. and 4 East Main St. were evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters used multiple hoses, monitors, and ladder trucks to bring the fire under control by 3:45 p.m. Due to the lack of a fire wall, the fire spread between 1 North Wesley Avenue and 3 North Wesley Ave. The fire was fully extinguished by 5:00 p.m. and most assisting fire companies released by 7:00 p.m.
WREX-TV NBC 13 Rockford